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Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! New Jersey Holiday Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets on Display

Christmas model train set displays are a sign of the season! How many of us grew up with the Christmas train set under the tree or still set up a display for our little ones to ooh and ah over?

Home model train displays can range from simple to elaborate permanent displays but if you don’t have the patience, then we can help you find a Christmas model train display near you. No more searching for holiday train shows near me. We can help!

We are sharing with you some great New Jersey Christmas Train Shows where you and your kids can get your fix of the chugga chugga choo choo and all the Christmas train sets your heart desires!

New Jersey Holiday Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets on Display

Can’t get a ride on the Polar Express?

Come to one of the New Jersey Holiday Train Shows!

We’re currently updating this for Christmas 2023. Save this and check back often for updates.

North Jersey Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets

Bergen County Holiday Model Train Displays

Model Train Exhibit in Carlstadt

The New York Society of Model Engineers, is the nation’s oldest model train and railroad historical Society. They will be holding their annual open house for children of all ages!

  • Location – 341 Hoboken Road, Carlstadt
  • Schedule – This display will only be open December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2023. For more information view our calendar event.
  • Admission – $8 donation for ages 12 and up. 12 and under are Free!
  • modelengineers.org

Donald Cooper Model Railroad in Mahwah

A special holiday treat for children, the Donald Cooper Model Railroad operates more than 11 trains. Children delight in the realistic subway that runs at their eye level. The model contains street fairs, a skateboard park, a subway system, construction sites and a replica of the Great Falls of Paterson.

  • Awaiting updates for 2023.
  • Location – 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah
  • Schedule – This display at the Mahwah Museum will only be open during regular museum hours, Saturdays 1 – 4 pm. It’s open year-round. For more information view our calendar event.
  • Donald Cooper Model Railroad Admission – Admission is $5 per person.
  • mahwahmuseum.org/donald-cooper-model-railroad

Essex County Holiday Model Train Displays

Roseland Holiday Train Exhibit in Roseland

Don’t miss one of Roseland’s most beloved holiday traditions – Mr. C’s Holiday Train Display! Enjoy watching the trains move through quaint villages and the working lights.

  • Location – Roseland Library, 20 Roseland Avenue, Roseland
  • Schedule – For 2023, Saturday, December 16 to Saturday, December 30, 2023. Learn more on the children’s page of the library website. Please call 973-226-8636 for more information.
  • Roseland Holiday Train Exhibit Admission – This North Jersey Christmas Train show is free to the public.

Morris County Holiday Model Train Displays

Holiday Train Open House in Lake Hopatcong

You’re invited to an open house of holiday trains as the Jefferson Township Recreation Department welcomes the BD&W Club of Jefferson, the Northern NJ N-Trak Club, and the Pocono Mountain Garden Railway Society

  • Awaiting updates for 2023.
  • Location – Camp Jefferson, 81 Weldon Road in Lake Hopatcong
  • Schedule – 2022 dates are Saturday, December 17 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, December 18 from 10 am to 4 pm each day.
  • Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Christmas Snow Village in Chatham

The 18th annual Winter Wonderland/“Snow Village” is an impressive display of more than 100 model houses, cars, and figurines with a working model train running through it.

  • Awaiting updates for 2023.
  • Location – 31 North Passaic Avenue, Chatham.
  • Schedule – The Village opens December 3 and runs through December 31, 2022. For more information and the schedule view our calendar event here.
  • Christmas Snow Village in Chatham Train Show Admission – Admission is free.

Passaic County Holiday Model Train Displays

North Haledon Annual Model Railroad Show

The Santa Claus Express runs during the holiday season and young ones can view it from a platform so no need to pick them up as they gaze at the trains! 

  • Location – Garden State Model Railway Club at 575 High Mountain Road, North Haledon.
  • Schedule – For 2023 this show will be open from 12 pm – 5 pm on the following dates: November 24th – 26th, December 2nd, 3rd, January, 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th.
  • For more information view our calendar event here.
  • North Haledon Annual Model Railroad Show Admission – Adult admission is $8, children 10 years old and under are free with an adult.

Sussex County Holiday Model Train Displays

Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum in Sparta

We believe this museum to be permanently closed as there is no longer a website or social media pages for it.
Visit this museum, which opened in 2003 for its many holiday displays. Christmas Santa Claus debuts in December. 

  • Location – 240 Demarest Road in Sparta, New Jersey.
  • Schedule – The Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum will have their Christmas trains all through December 2019. Hours are 10 AM – 5 PM Friday- Sunday.
  • Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum Admission – Admission is $6 per person.

Union County Holiday Model Train Displays

The Model Railroad Club in Union

Once a year, the Club holds its Annual Light and Sound Show and open house. Their HO scale layout is transformed into a theatre and the trains run to a professional narrated script. It is an event enjoyed by thousands of guests every year. Check their website for more information.

  • LocationBehind Home Depot, 295 Jefferson Ave, Union
  • Schedule – 2023 dates are November 24, 25, 26, 2023, and December 2, 3, 9, 10, 2023. 11 am to 6 pm
  • Model Railroad Club Admission – Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children advance purchase is suggested.

Central Jersey Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets

Middlesex County Holiday Model Train Displays

The Barron Arts Center Holiday Model Train Show in Woodbridge

Housed in a beautiful historic building, The Barron Arts Center Holiday Train Show has local landmarks, a boardwalk scene, sports displays and so much more. In previous years, upon entering helpful volunteers offered you a scavenger hunt list. All items were in a kid’s eye view and are things kids will want to look for! View our calendar event listing or blog post, Barron Arts Center Holiday Train Show for more information.

  • Location – 582 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge
  • Schedule – Opens November 27, 2023, and is open daily until December 39, 2023 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Reservations required on all weekends and the week after Christmas. No reservatons required November 27th – December 22nd.
  • Barron Arts Center Holiday Model Train Show Admission – Free, but donations are appreciated.
Christmas Model train set on display at Barron Arts Center
The display at Barron Arts Center

Monmouth County Holiday Model Train Displays

Sal’s Trains in Wall Township

We do not believe this train exhibit to be open as there have been no updates or announcements of events since 2022.

This display is in the upstairs of a garage at a private home in Wall Township and is out of this world! There are underground trains, train decor in the room, and Sal has created some amazing lighting so you can see the trains light up in ways we’ve never seen. It’s a must see! For more information visit this website.

  • Location –  282 Overbrook Drive, Wall Township
  • Schedule – One showing only, December 4, 2022 from 1 PM – 4 PM
  • Sal’s Trains Admission There is no admission cost.
Sal's Trains in Wall one of many New Jersey Holiday Train Shows

Annual Christmas Train Village in Spring Lake

This train show in the Spring Lake firehouse building replicates local Spring Lake businesses along with fun features like a ferris wheel and hot air balloons. For more information view our calendar event.

  • Location – Duggan Hall, 313 Washington Avenue, Spring Lake.
  • Schedule – The display opens November 25, 2023 and runs through December 31, 2023, closed on Christmas day.
  • Annual Christmas Train Village Admission – Admission is free (awaiting verification for 2023).

Holiday Spectacular and Train Display in Wall Township

This show offers all scales of trains in a holiday theme. Santa will be available as well. Check our calendar event for more information.

  • Location – InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township
  • Schedule – Opens for 2022 on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 2023 from 12 PM – 5 PM.
  • Holiday Spectacular and Train Display Admission Adults are $12, kids are $8, but check for dates that offer half-price admission for adults with a donation of a toy.

Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft

Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum returns for 2023. There are 6 lines on 3 levels with over 1200 scale feet of track.  Check their website for hours.

  • Location – 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
  • Schedule –
    • Opening Day, Saturday, November 19, 2023.
  • Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum Admission Admission for everyone is $10/person (awaiting an update on price for 2023).
Another New Jersey Holiday Train Shows is the holidays model train show at the Monmouth Museum in Central New Jersey.

South Jersey Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets

Atlantic County Holiday Model Train Displays

Patcong Valley Model Railroad in Richland

This display offers miles of HO scale model railroads and 6-8 different trains moving over bridges and hills and through tunnels and towns. For more information view our calendar event.

  • Location1308 Harding Highway, Richland.
  • ScheduleOpen December 2, 3, 9, and 10, 2023 and January 6, 7, 13, and 14, 2024 Saturdays from 10 AM – 3 PM and Sundays 12 PM to 4 PM.
  • Patcong Valley Model Railroad Open House Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Outside the Patcong Valley Railroad Christmas Train display you can pose for pictures with real trains. |Photo Credit Jersey Family Fun
Outside the Patcong Valley Railroad Christmas Train display you can pose for pictures with real trains. |Photo Credit Jersey Family Fun

Burlington County Holiday Model Train Displays

Bordentown City Holiday Train Event

For one weekend only trains will be on display on the first floor of Old City Hall. You can take a photo with Santa at the Old City Hall fireside after the tree lighting at 5 PM. Check the “Old City Hall Restoration Committee” Facebook page for more updates!

  • Location – Old City Hall, 13 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown
  • ScheduleOpen Friday November 24, 2023 – Saturday November 25, 2023 from 2 PM – 8 PM
  • Bordentown City Holiday Train Event Admission Admission is free to the public but donations are greatly appreciated.

Camden County Holiday Model Train Displays

S Gaugers Train Club in Collingswood

As of November 16, 2023 there is no information available for 2023.

2021 Update: From First Baptist Church of Collingswood’s Facebook page: FYI: We will NOT be holding the S-Gauger’s Train Display this year. We felt we would not be able to host it safely and with social distancing.

For more information view our calendar event.

  • Location –  First Baptist Church of Collingswood, 23 Frazer Avenue, Collingswood
  • Schedule – Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 10am to 3pm
  • Come out to this FREE event!

Cape May County Holiday Model Train Displays

Ocean City Train Show

For more information view our calendar event.

  • Location – Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk, Ocean City
  • Schedule – One day only: December 2, 2023, 10 AM – 4 PM
  • Ocean City Train Show Admission Admission is free
New Jersey Holiday Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets on Display

Holiday & Christmas Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids

Updating for 2023.

Ultimate Guide to Christmas Family Fun With Kids
Dirt-Cheap-Ways-to-Hang-Out-with-Santa-in-New-Jersey-Long-Horizontal-image
Best Christmas Towns in New Jersey
Magical-and-Merry-Christmas-Parades-in-New-Jersey
Living-Nativity-Scenes-in-New-Jersey
NJ-Christmas-Train-Rides-with-santa
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Where-and-How-to-Get-Unique-Santa-Pictures-in-New-Jersey-image
New-Jersey-Christmas-tree-farms
Fabulous-Christmas-Lights-in-New-Jersey
New Jersey Neighborhoods With Lots of Christmas Lights

For more Christmas Activities near New Jersey visit these blog posts and listings

Make a trip across a bridge to explore more local Christmas Family Fun.

We support family fun in New Jersey but sometimes you want to get away to see what our nearby cities can offer. Both Philadelphia and New York City offer some amazing holiday displays, events, and Christmas attractions. We have your information on how to make a day of Christmas in the City! Click on any of the links below for more details.

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