The Best New Jersey Holiday Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets on Display ~ Jersey Family Fun

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!

North Jersey Train Shows with Christmas Train Sets

Bergen County Holiday Model Train Displays

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.

Location – 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah
Schedule – This display at the Mahwah Museum will only be open during regular museum hours, Saturdays 1 – 4 pm this holiday season. 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

The trains range from the traditional to the Polar Express to Thomas, including Percy and James to the whimsical Donald Duck handcar. There are bridges, buildings, and small-town scenes set up in the room. Mats are placed on the floor for children to lie down and have an up-close look at the trains as they zip by the audience.

Location – Roseland Library, 20 Roseland Avenue, Roseland
Schedule – For 2021, Trains are available December 18, 2021 – January 1, 2022. There will be time slots for families to sign up for on their website. Limited capacity & masks are required. 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

As of 12/21/2021 no update for 2021
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

Location – Camp Jefferson, 81 Weldon Road in Lake Hopatcong
Schedule – 2019 dates are Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 from 10 am to 5 pm each day.
Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Passaic County Holiday Model Train Displays

North Haledon Annual Model Railroad Show

The Santa Claus Express runs in the holiday season and young ones can view 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 – This show opens November 26, 2021 and is open weekends through January 9, 2022. 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

As of 11/19/2021 no update for 2021
Visit this museum, opened in 2003 for their many holiday displays. Christmas Santa Claus debuts in December. Their website and Facebook page seem to no longer be available.

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.

Location – Behind Home Depot, 930 South Springfield Road, Union
Schedule – 2021 dates are November 26, 27, 28, 2021 and December 4, 5, 11, 12, 2021. Check website for times.
Model Railroad Club Admission – Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 11 years old, advance purchase suggested. Advance purchase tickets are $1 off the normal door price.

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. Upon entering one of the helpful volunteers will offer you a scavenger hunt list. All items are at 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 – 408 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge
Schedule – Opens November 27, 2021 and is open daily until December 30, 2021 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas) by reservation only.
Barron Arts Center Holiday Model Train Show Admission – Free, but donations 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

As of 12/21/2021 no update for 2021

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 and our calendar of event listing.

Location – 282 Overbrook Drive, Wall Township
Schedule – One showing only, November 30, 2019 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 27, 2021 and runs through December 31, 2021, closed on Christmas day.
Annual Christmas Train Village Admission – Admission is free.

Holiday Spectacular and Train Display in Wall Township

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

Location – InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township
Schedule – Opens for 2021 on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 2021 from 12 PM – 5 PM.
Holiday Spectacular and Train Display Admission Adults are $10, kids are $7, but check for dates that offer free admission with donation of a toy.

Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft

Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum returns for 2021. 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, Sunday, November 21, 2021.
- Additional dates for 2021 run through December 23, 2021.
Holiday Model Train Display at the Monmouth Museum Admission Admission for everyone is $10/person

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.

Location – 1308 Harding Highway, Richland.
Schedule – Open December 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2021 and January 8, 9, 22, and 23, 2021 from 10 AM – 3 PM
Patcong Valley Model Railroad Open House Admission is free, but donations appreciated.

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

As of 12/21/2021 no update for 2021

HO trains and O gauge trains will be on display by along with a New England Village, Lego City and Lego train display. In addition, Thomas the Train and His Friends will once again make an appearance. For more information view our calendar event.

Location – Old City Hall, 13 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown
~~Schedule – Open weekends November 24 – January 6, 4 PM – 8 PM~~
Bordentown City Holiday Train Event Admission Admission is free to the public.

Camden County Holiday Model Train Displays

S Gaugers Train Club in Collingswood

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 2021 weekend only, December 4 and 5 10 AM – 4 PM
Ocean City Train Show Admission Admission is free

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

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 there’s no comparison to 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.