The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and Greater Cincinnati has plenty of timeless traditions that will get you in the holiday spirit.
The annual Fountain Square Christmas tree lighting, animated Shillito Elves, PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, and holiday train displays are just a few of the many Yuletide festivities that families across the region look forward to every year.
Here’s a look at where you can find all the holiday train displays and choo-choo experiences around Greater Cincinnati.
Model train displays in Greater Cincinnati, NKY
Christmas Train Show (Nov. 28-Dec. 31)
The Conductors of Indiana Train Club will once again showcase its annual model railroad display.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday; 223 Main St., Rising Sun. Open every day starting Dec. 18 except Christmas Day. Free. Donations appreciated. enjoyrisingsun.com.
Saint Bernard Train Show (Dec. 5-6)
The Queen City Hirailers will also bring its large, three-track model train display to the Saint Bernard Youth Center. The center will also have carolers, ice sculptures, meet-and-greet opportunities with Santa and horse-drawn wagon rides on Dec. 6.
Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2-9 p.m. on Dec. 6; 125 Washington Ave., Saint Bernard. Free admission.
Holiday Junction (Nov. 14-Jan. 5)
This Queen City holiday staple, which first debuted in 1946, features intricate displays with more than 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives. Holiday Junction also offers a Northern Lights display, which is the perfect backdrop for family photos, a holiday scavenger hunt featuring hidden objects in the garden railway layout, and whimsical displays of Lego bricks at Brickopolis.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Free for museum members. Otherwise, $24.50-$29.50 for adults or $17.50-$22.50 for children and seniors ($5 off if you buy online). Cincymuseum.org.
Holly Jolly Days (Runs Nov. 11-Jan. 11)
A holiday tradition since 1992, the Holiday Toy Trains exhibit features eight O-gauge model trains, circling more than 250 feet of track, that weave through villages, tunnels and other winter scenes. With just the press of a button, guests can activate lights and motions to become immersed in a miniature world of merriment and magic.
Additionally, the museum is bringing Irving Berlin’s 1954 classic film “White Christmas” to life. Visitors can explore the costumes and props from the film starring Northern Kentucky’s Rosemary Clooney. The exhibit will also showcase costumes designed by Edith Head and worn by Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed on Nov. 27, Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The museum will be open for special holiday hours Dec. 19, 22 and 29. Behringer-Crawford Museum, Devou Park, 1600 Montague Drive, Covington. Free for museum members and children under 3. Otherwise, $9 for adults, $8 for ages 60-up, $5 for ages 3-17. Bcmuseum.org.
Festival of Ferns (Nov. 2-Jan. 5)
Take a walk through this botanical garden filled with festive displays and model trains that glide you through poinsettias, ferns and other winter plants. You can also see miniature replicas of Cincinnati icons like the Cincinnati Museum Center, Roebling Bridge and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. cincinnati-oh-gov.
Train Days (Dec. 17-Jan. 4)
See model trains ride past villages, around mountains and through tunnels, take a tour of the 1800s village and see the historic Chester Park Train Station. On select days, additional trains, such as the garden scale trains from the Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society, will also be on display in the Myers Schoolhouse.
Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12-3 p.m. Sundays except Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. Heritage Village Museum, 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Free for museum members and children 4 and under. Otherwise, $5 per person. Heritagevillagecincinnati.org.
Train rides and excursions in Greater Cincinnati, NKY
North Pole Express (Nov. 21-Dec. 23)
The North Pole Express, operated by the Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad, takes passengers on a 75-minute scenic journey through Warren County. During the magical ride, you can relax in passenger cars filled with holiday lights and decorations and spend time with Santa Claus and his elves.
All children will receive a souvenir bell and holiday cookie. Hot chocolate will also be available for purchase.
Details: multiple times and dates, Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad, 16 E. South St., Lebanon. $30-up. Lebanonrr.com.
Polar Express Train Ride (Nov. 15-Dec. 21)
All aboard the Polar Express, the only licensed train ride event Greater Cincinnati that is based off Chris Van Allsburg’s classic picture book. During the 1-hour and 45-minute trip, passengers will receive hot chocolate and a cookie from dancing chefs, listen to a reading of the book, and have their golden ticket punched by the conductor.
At the North Pole, Santa and his elves will board the train and briefly visit with each family. Santa will also give everyone a silver bell from his sleigh.
Details: 5 and 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Whitewater Valley Railroad, 455 Market St., Connersville. $39-55. whitewatervalleyrr.org.
Santa Claus Limited (Nov. 28-29)
This is the longest-running event at the Whitewater Valley Railroad, operating since 1973. During this short train ride, at Connersville’s Grand Central Station, passengers will enjoy views of the countryside and visit with Santa. You may even get a candy cane if you’ve been good this year.
Details: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Whitewater Valley Railroad, 455 Market St., Connersville. $12. 765-825-2054; whitewatervalleyrr.org.
Note: Christmas at the Junction and The Station on the Levee will not be operating in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: All aboard! These are the best holiday train displays in Cincinnati
Reporting by Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
