Revel in the Sparkle: Holiday Lights Trains Set New York’s Suburbs and Long Island Ablaze with Unstoppable Festive Magic!

Published on November 27, 2025

In New York — from the suburbs beyond the Hudson to the length of Long Island’s electrified network — the festive season is arriving on rails. The MTA’s Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have rolled out their sparkling “Holiday Lights Trains” beginning Friday, November 28, 2025, and scheduled to run through Sunday, January 4, 2026.

For many commuters this season, a regular ride may suddenly turn magical — passing through towns decked in glowing lights, with special holiday‑safe announcements echoing at selected stations, and the possibility of stepping aboard a train dressed up like a winter wonderland.

What “East of Hudson” Means — The Region Covered by Metro‑North

Metro‑North’s portion of the Holiday Lights initiative covers all of its “East of Hudson” territory. That means lines radiating from central Manhattan into the eastern suburbs, the Hudson Valley, and even parts of Connecticut.

The decorated trains will run across all lines that serve this territory — both electric and, for the first time, diesel‑powered trains, ensuring that even the farthest stations within Metro‑North’s reach get a bit of holiday glow this year.

Residents who commute from municipalities in Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, or Connecticut — or live in any of the suburban stops East of the Hudson River — should keep an eye out. Their regular journey might end up looking like a holiday light parade by train.

Long Island Lights: LIRR’s Electrified Branches Also Join the Celebration

On the other end, the Long Island Rail Road is not being left behind. The Holiday Lights Train will run along all of LIRR’s electrified branches — covering a wide swathe of Long Island, from its western suburbs near New York City out to more distant communities that connect to the electrified network.

That means many Long Island commuters — from Queens through Nassau and into parts of Suffolk counties served by those electrified lines — could ride a train wrapped in festive lights this holiday season.

Because the decorated trains operate on a random rotation of regularly scheduled services, there’s no fixed schedule or guarantee — catching one is a bit like winning a holiday‑cheer lottery.

What Riders Can Expect — Lights, Safety Messages & Surprise Cheer

According to MTA’s official announcement, these holiday trains will be festooned with colourful exterior lights. At selected stations, riders may hear special holiday‑themed safety messages.

For many, this doesn’t just add a little brightness — it adds surprise, warmth and seasonal mood. For families and children in the suburbs, the plain commute becomes a tiny winter adventure. For suburban dwellers returning home late, the glow and cheer may bring comfort and good vibes on a cold winter night.

The randomness means you never know when — or where — the festive train might appear. That makes each ride a potential small thrill.

Why This Matters — Bringing Holiday Spirit Beyond Manhattan

Often, holiday rail‑shows or light displays are concentrated in big cities or near central hubs. By extending this holiday rails programme across suburbs, rural stops, and Long Island’s farther reaches, the MTA is bringing seasonal joy to people who rarely get such festive surprises.

It’s more than decoration. For many commuters, especially parents with children, the region’s scattered towns often get little seasonal spectacle. This train — passing through suburbs, small towns and quiet stations — becomes a shared moment of celebration.

For those commuting daily for work, shopping, or family visits, this could turn an otherwise dreary winter ride into something memorable.

The Catch: It’s Random — And May Be Hard to Catch

Because both Metro‑North’s East‑of‑Hudson lines and LIRR’s electrified branches only include lights‑train service as part of random rotations of standard trains, there’s no certain way to plan around it. No public master schedule — riders might board a festive train one day and a regular one the next.

If you commute at odd hours, or use lesser‑used routes, chances of seeing the lights‑train are slimmer. It may feel like an illusive holiday treat — lovely when it arrives, but rare and unpredictable.

Still, the effort signals that the MTA wants holiday magic to touch more than just city centers — the glow will reach suburban back‑roads, quiet tracks, and long‑forgotten stations.

A Glow‑Filled Journey for New York’s People — Light Up Your Commute

If you live East of the Hudson or on Long Island and plan to hop on the rails between late November and early January — keep your eyes open. A simple daily ride could turn into a glowing, light‑filled moment of holiday cheer.

Even if you don’t catch one of the festive trains, the gesture says something — that holiday spirit in New York isn’t just for Manhattan. It’s for the suburbs, the valleys, the outskirts. It’s for real people, going real places. Maybe that’s the real magic the MTA is trying to deliver.