Holiday Train Shows in NJ and Tristate Area

Where to Find the Best Holiday Train Shows in the Tri-State Area

If you’ve got a budding engineer in the family, then the holidays are the perfect time to get up close to a working train display.  Children of all ages will be amazed by the holiday train shows around the tri-state area - layouts big and small, with intricately assembled tracks, authentic mini-sized models and dozens and dozens of tooting trains.  Check out our list for a show near you!

NYC Transit Museum at Grand Central Terminal (NYC)
This is a perfect display for smaller kids (but kids of all ages will love it as well) since it’s on the smaller side. Now in its 12^th year, visitors follow the trains on an imaginary journey from Grand Central Terminal to the North Pole.  Best of all, it’s FREE – and if you have time, pick up a Kid-Friendly Scavenger Hunt of Grand Central Station at the MTA Booth in the store or in Vanderbilt Hall. 
Through Sunday, February 23, 2014

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, NY)
The Grande Dame of Train Shows is back at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, NY.  This is truly a remarkable show - dozens and dozens of trains glide through intrinsically constructed models of NYC landmarks and beautifully landscaped backgrounds.  All the landmarks are made out of bark and other natural material.  Afterwards, visit the children’s garden and decorate a gingerbread cookie, learn about holiday spices and more.  Tickets required
Through January 12, 2014

NY Society of Model Engineers (Carlstadt)
Check out two different layouts – one in O scale and one in HO Scale.  Both will be operating during the holiday open house.
December 1; December 6, December 7, December 8; Friday 7-10 and Sat and Sun 1-6PM

Garden State Central Model Railroad Club Train Show at InfoAge (Wall)
Another train show perfect for kids of all ages, operating model trains from N to G gauge.  Afterwards enjoy a visit around this growing science museum, housed in an historic WW2 building.  Weekends, three weekends prior to Christmas

Model Railroad Club (Union)
November 29-December 1; December 6-8; December 14-15
Join the Model Railroad Club, one of the largest in the US, for their annual show and open house.  They have two layouts (one is already 40X40 ft. and continues to grow!). Tickets:  December 1; December 6, December 7, December 8; Friday 7-10 and Sat and Sun 1-6PM

Barron Arts Center (Woodbridge)
Now in its 23rd year – this is a FREE train display!
Through December 29 (closed December 25)

Morris Arboretum at University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Be dazzled by thousands of sparkling lights as model trains weave in and out of tunnels, over bridges and through the woods on ¼ mile of tracks!  The set-up is outside in the Winter Garden. Enjoy the display on Friday nights in the dark, with the tracks and displays brilliantly lit!  Through January 5th

Ramapo Valley Railway Model Train Show
Hoo-Ho-Kus VFW, 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus
Come see this Bergen County holiday tradition, now in it's 52nd year - trains on this extensive model layout (with everything from a windmill to an operating drive in movie theater) will be running November 17 and 14th, and December 1, 8, and 29th from 1PM - 4PM.

Historical Train Show
Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks St., Bordentown City, NJ 609-298-7766
November 29 - December 1st
The Historic Train Show in Bordentown City NJ is a popular event among children and adults! You will have the opportunity to see a wide range of trains that date back to the 1920s! Many of these trains are extremely rare and cannot be found anywhere else. You will get to see many of these rare models of trains up close. There will also be videos playing, along with pictures and calendars on display that date back to the 1930s! Both the young and young at heart will love the Historic Train Show!

Ocean City Theatre Company presents Lights, Camera, Christmas : 2013 Holiday Spectacular
Fri December 13 – Sun December 15
Ocean City Music Pier
Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226 Phone: (609) 525-9300
Website: www.ocnj.us E-Mail: www.boxoffice@ocnj.us
The annual favorite returns in a new movie-themed production for 2013. Come "rock around the Christmas tree" as a cast of professional singers and dancers celebrate the season with a fully-staged musical revue of songs from everyone's favorite holiday\winter movies. The show will feature high-energy choreography; spectacular costumes, unbelievable talent and a phenomenal set all come together on the Music Pier stage to create a highlight of the Holiday season.