The Origami Holiday Tree

November 23, 2026 — January 20, 2026

Opening Soon

Included with any 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
An annual New York City tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree has been a popular feature of the holiday season at the Museum for decades.

The dazzling 13-foot holiday tree showcases more than 1,000 masterfully folded origami models, including models of T. rex, the Blue Whale, and other iconic exhibits. 

This year’s tree spotlights “animal athletes” in celebration of 2026 as a momentous year in sports, around the globe and in New York City, featuring new models of animals known for their impressive athletic feats: hummingbirds, cheetahs, ants, flying fish, and others.  

Different-colored folded papers in the shapes of dinosaurs and animals among the branches of an artificial evergreen tree. © Alvaro Keding/AMNH
Different-colored folded papers in the shapes of dinosaurs and animals among the branches of an artificial evergreen tree. © Alvaro Keding/AMNH

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. 

For the Win

Discover more about sports and athletic greatness in For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, on view in the Meister Gallery within the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals through January 3, 2027. 

Learn more »
The Larry O'Brien championship trophy: sterling silver and gold vermeil trophy that depicts a life-sized basketball entering a hoop and net. Alvaro Keding and Daniel Kim/© AMNH

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

The Making of the Origami Holiday Tree One 13-foot tree and 1,000 origami models make this tree a spectacular Museum tradition. Origami How-To Videos Use our instructional origami videos and diagrams, and master the art of paper folding.