All Aboard for Holiday Fun

From mini models to the real deal, here are terrific train experiences not to be missed.

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains (photo: Abby Erwin)

At the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal you can explore the beloved train exhibit with more than 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives during its annual Holiday Junction event. Visitors can also enjoy a bird's-eye view of the whole display from an elevated walkway. Returning is Brickopolis, the LEGO displays depicting the worlds of Disney, DC Comics, Harry Potter and more. The new no-touch interactive storybook experieance tells the story of the Duke Energy Holiday Trains, and families can also partcipate in a holiday scavenger hunt. November 13, 2020 through January 3, 2021.

Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction

Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction (photo: EnterTRAINment Junction)

EnterTRAINment Junction, with two miles of track, trains depicting every era of American railroading and the A-Maze-N Funhouse (which features a mirror maze and a hilarious tilt room), provides tons of fun all year long for little engineers. During Christmas at the Junction, step into 80,000 square feet of holiday fun with a special Christmas cityscape display, seasonal lights and decor. Journey to the North Pole to visit with Santa virtually via live on-screen appearances. November 14, 2020 through January 1, 2021.

North Polar Express at PNC Festival of Lights

Train at PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo (photo: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden)

Head to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and witness a wonderland of dazzling holiday lights and festive cheer. Hop on the train and take a ride around the zoo and marvel at the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake. There is an additonal cost to ride the train. Reservations to visit the zoo are required. The PNC Festival of Lights takes place November 21, 2020 through January 3, 2021 with bonus dates of January 8-10 and 15-17.

A Very Merry Garden Holiday at Krohn Conservatory

Krohn Conservatory holiday show (photo: Cincinnati Parks)

Lush green foliage, red poinsettias and holiday trees greet visitors at Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park during A Very Merry Garden Holiday. As is tradition, a model train chugs through a scenic wonderland of holiday florals and miniature recreations of the Cincinnati region’s most iconic landmarks. November 26, 2020 through January 10, 2021.

LM&M Railroad Holiday Express

Train at Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (photo: Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad)

During this festive roundtrip ride on a vintage LM&M Railroad train, elves make holiday balloons and share stories about the North Pole in a heated, socially-distanced train car. After the Holiday Express train ride, families will be guided by elves to a socially-distanced visit with Santa Claus and gifted with a holiday bell and individually wrapped cookie as a parting gift. Advance reservations required. Train times vary, December 3-20, 2020.

Holiday Toy Trains at Behringer-Crawford Museum

Holiday Toy Trains at Behringer-Crawford Museum (photo: Behringer-Crawford Museum)

NOT RUNNING IN 2020. Visit the museum for [email protected] events.
With vintage Lionel and Plasticville trains, Thomas the Tank Engine and more than 30 moving, interactive displays carefully built at kids’ eye level, this magical tableau is tailor-made for children. The 250 feet of track rolls through busy cities and snowy countrysides.

Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad at Winterfest

Miami Valley Railroad train at Kings Island (photo: Kings Island)

CANCELLED FOR 2020.
The authentic steam-spitting engines of the trains in this fleet are actually 1/3 scale replicas of famous locomotives from the 1800s. Ring in the holidays by taking a ride on this train through Kings Island as it's decked out for Winterfest with millions of lights.

Written by: Jessica Gordon with updates by Emily Lloyd, Abby Davidson and Amber Potter