The Holidays at Grand Central Terminal

Visit Grand Central Terminal this holiday season for shopping, dazzling light shows, and the New York Transit Museum's holiday train exhibit. Our Grand Central Terminal Holiday Photo Gallery offers a preview of what you'll see.

Holiday Fair

The annual Holiday Fair is a shopping extravaganza held in the magnificent 12,000 square foot Vanderbilt Hall. Grand Central has gathered 74 vendors of unusual, beautiful and exotic goods that cannot be found elsewhere in the city. Browse among unique gifts like hand-painted table linens; handmade men's, women's and children's clothing; imported African crafts; mosaic mirrors, children's toys; and Japanese art prints.

Vanderbilt Hall, November 15 - December 29, 2008. Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM, Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days
Take the 4,5,6 or 7 to 42nd St./Grand Central Station

Grand Central Kaleidoscope Light Shows

See a spectacular kaleidoscope light show displayed against the famous Sky Ceiling, walls, and pillars of Grand Central Terminal. The light show is a holiday tradition established in 1999 and is enough to stop even the most frazzled commuters in their tracks to enjoy the display.

Grand Central Terminal Main Concourse, from December 1, 2008 through January 1, 2009, every half hour between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM daily.

Holiday Train Show

The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal presents their Holiday Train Show See model trains running through a beautiful holiday landscape that includes models of NYC landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal. Admission is free.

Location: Shuttle Passage, next to the Station Master's Office.
From November 24, 2008 through January 19, 2009. Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM; Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day
For more information, call 212-878-0106.

Some Gifts Ideas for Grand Central Buffs

Inside Grand Central (DVD) -- amazing National Geographic documentary on the inner workings of Grand Central.

American Experience - Grand Central (DVD) -- another documentary, this one is by PBS.

Grand Central Terminal: Railroads, Engineering, and Architecture in New York City -- by Kurt C. Schlichting. The whole story from the beginning. All the juicy details of intrigue, politics and scandals.

Inside Grand Central Terminal - A Photo Essay -- by Kurt Boone. A cute, short memoir and photo essay from the point of view of an NYC messenger.

Wrought Iron Double Side Grand Central Station Clock -- a very cool wall mounted clock for the die-harder.