Metro-North has announced its holiday plans. Trains will operate on weekend schedules with added trains at key times on Christmas and New Year’s days and the days immediately after. On the eves, they’ll have more trains outside the peak hours — heading out of Grand Central Terminal the day before Christmas, and into Grand Central the days before New Year’s.

Find the changes below, but first, I want to mention that if you haven’t been down to Manhattan, you’re missing Grand Central Terminal putting on its holiday show.

At any time of year, Grand Central is as much a destination as a jumping off point to see the city. But this time of year, it offers even more.

I personally have been mesmerized by a Christmas tree more than 20 feet high almost completely covered by more than 40 Sharp flat screen Sharp TVs on the bridge between the main concourse and Vanderbilt Hall. They flash colors, patterns and photos. (Wait for the leaping frog with the tropical waterfall in the background. I mean, it doesn’t scream “Christmas,” but maybe that’s why I find it so fascinating.)

And you have to love the winter-themed light show flashed on the ceiling and walls of the main concourse.

Just be sure you’re in a gregarious mood, filled with the holiday spirit, when you go. Because if you’re not, the hordes of tourists wandering around the place, taking photos and gawking can be a little trying.

Check out Grand Central’s holiday events here.

Find Metro-North schedules here.

Meanwhile, here’s Metro-North’s announcement on holiday trains:

Metro-North’s Holiday Timetable is a True Gift

Happy holidays are going to be made much happier with MTA Metro-North’s holiday train schedules. With everyone traveling, shopping, sightseeing and visiting, the special Holiday Timetable is sure to have the right trains at the right times for you.

You’ll get a jump on the holidays with early afternoon getaway service on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th. There will be extra trains departing Grand Central; between noon and 4 p.m. However, on that day, there will be a reduced schedule in the AM peak as well as in the PM peak. Check the Holiday Timetable for details.

On Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, and on Thursday New Year’s Day, January 1, a Sunday schedule will be in effect. Please note that “Shoppers’ Specials” will not operate on Christmas.

On December 26 and January 2, both Fridays, Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra service during the AM and PM peaks.

On December 29 and 30, trains will operate on a weekday schedule. However, there will be more trains arriving in Grand Central between 10 a.m. and noon. To accommodate this, some AM peak trains will be cancelled.

On New Year’s Eve, Wednesday December 31, there will be a reduced schedule during the AM peak, special getaway trains in the afternoon, and a reduced PM peak, including hourly outbound service between 8 PM and midnight. For revelers there will be plenty of inbound trains in the afternoon and evening. When it’s finally time to go home, there will be additional outbound service into the wee hours of the morning.

Important: On New Year’s Eve, you must have your ticket before boarding the train at Grand Central or the Harlem-125th Street station.

On January 1, New Year’s Day, trains will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Connecting services, such as the Hudson RailLink and the Tappan Zee express bus, will operate on a normal schedule on December 24 and 31, but on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, there will be no connecting service. On December 29 and 30 connecting services also will be on normal weekday schedules. The Newburgh-Beacon and Haverstraw-Ossining ferries will have an early departure schedule on December 24 and 31.

Ferry and bus customers should check the website for changes.

Holiday timetables are available in Grand Central Terminal, and outlying Metro-North trains stations. Timetable information is also available on our website at www.mta.info. Customer information is also available by calling, in NYC, 212-672-1290. Outside of NYC call 800-METRO-INFO. The hearing impaired may call (via teleprinter) 800-724-3322.