The Origami Holiday Tree

November 20, 2023 — January 15, 2024

Now Open

Free with admission.
Floor 1, Futter Gallery

A 13-foot artificial evergreen tree covered with more than 1000 origami (folded paper) ornaments is displayed in the corner of the Grand Gallery hall.
Alvaro Keding/© AMNH
 

The theme of this year’s 13-foot tree is Proboscideans on Parade, featuring garlands and origami models inspired by the new exhibition The Secret World of Elephants.

Among the more than 1,000 origami pieces decorating the tree will be intricately designed models of elephants and elephant relatives, including the wooly mammoth, as well as those depicting iconic Museum exhibits like the Blue Whale and Tyrannosaurus rex. 

Produced in partnership with OrigamiUSA, the Origami Holiday Tree is delightfully decorated with hand-folded paper models created by local, national, and international origami artists. 

Bottom section of a Christmas tree decorated with origami animals, with various origami elephants ringing the bottom.
Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Learn more about the making of the Origami Holiday Tree and find out how to make your own origami models!