Christmas in New York, the tracker

Holiday Nostalgia Train (2 Av-Houston St departure)

Landmark · East Village

Holiday Nostalgia Train (2 Av-Houston St departure), photographed by New York Dearest

I mean, riding in vintage trains is the last thing you'd expect to find on a list of free things to do during Christmas in New York City.

During weekends in December the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) partners with the New York Transit Museum to offer New Yorkers a chance to time travel. How? By running vintage subway cars on the F line for an experience called the Holiday Nostalgia Train.

I mean, riding in vintage trains is the last thing you’d expect to find on a list of free things to do during Christmas in New York City. But alas it’s one of the most memorable. Better still, it doesn’t cost more than the standard subway fare ($2.90), which is a small price to pay for such a cool holiday experience.

Cost
Free
Subway
F to 2 Av, 0 min
Address
2nd Ave and Houston St, New York, NY

This year

Read my full guide

New York Dearest
The guide, $35

Click for the dates and my verdict

The NYC holiday tracker · Saturday, September 26

Christmas in New York,
day by day.

129 places on one map, every tree, rink, market, window and show, with this year's dates the morning they're announced.

or start with
Season opens Oct 10 · 14 days Saks light show, Channel Gardens, December 2025
© OpenStreetMap · OpenFreeMap