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Holiday Train Shows on Long Island for Families
Holiday train shows are a festive way to kick off the Christmas season with the kids. Long Island offers several interactive spots to see model train magic in action.
Train-loving kids and adults alike will be mesmerized and delighted by the sights and sounds of these model train shows and the charming mini villages they navigate. Many holiday open houses even host the man of the season–Santa for a jolly visit with the whole family.
If all this train watching makes your family eager to climb aboard a railroad car, read our roundup of Polar Express and other Santa trains near Long Island and NYC. For even more ways to enjoy the season check out our Guide to Holiday Fun on Long Island.
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Christmas Train Shows on Long Island
1. Long Island Garden Railway Society Holiday Shows – Sayville, Old Bethpage and Garden City
This Massapequa-based organization promotes the hobby of model railroading. The holiday-themed exhibit will be at three locations this year. Trains will run at the Bayport-Blue Point Historical Association in Sayville, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, and the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Dates and times vary by location. Check here for schedules.
2. Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum – Babylon
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, December 6-SundayJanuary 5, 2025.
The interactive exhibit features a 240-square-foot model train display for the whole family to enjoy. The display highlights historic landmarks around the Town of Babylon.
3. Trainville Hobby Depot Model Train Show – Hicksville
Saturday, November 23-Sunday, November 24, 2024.
This train show exhibit features fun operating model layouts to see, including N, O, HO, On30, and G-gauge trains. Kids under age four are free.
4. West Island Model Railroad Club Open Houses – Hicksville
Select dates from Friday, November 29-Sunday, December 15, 2024.
This railroad features 5,600 square feet of fun. The club has an 11-mile, double-track mainline and a recently completed upper level. Visitors can run the trains and chat with other enthusiasts at winter open houses. Check the site for exact showtimes each day.
RELATED: Where Kids Can Dine with Santa on Long Island
Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers' open houses feature a miniature village. Photo courtesy of the organization
5. Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Open Houses – Levittown
Select dates from Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Bring the whole family to see Long Island’s largest operating O-Gauge exhibit during the organization’s holiday open houses. O-Gauge is a popular model train scale. Multiple trains take you on a journey through a miniature village that is decked out for the holidays. Check here for the exact schedule.
6. Holiday Train Display at Longwood Estate – Ridge
Sunday, December 7, 2024 and Thursday, December 26-Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Santa visits the estate for a holiday event on Saturday, December 7, 2024, with train display fun, hot chocolate, photos, and sleigh rides. There is a cost of $5 per child for the Santa visit event. Holiday train display hours are 10am to 2pm during Christmas week.
7. Central Operating Lines Model Train Show – Bohemia
Saturday, December 14-Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Central Operating Lines Holiday Train show and open house boasts a huge layout spread across 23 scale miles. Catch this 40 x 35-ft. layout, 1,600-sq. ft. of track, over 23 scale miles. Meet Santa and bring along an unwrapped toy for the holiday toy drive.
8. Railroad Museum of Long Island Holiday Open Houses – Riverhead and Greenport
Santa arrives from the North Pole on our Fairbanks-Morse four-man track speeder at noon each day with a gift for all children. Admission is free for all events.
This post was updated for 2024.
Places featured in this article:
Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers
West Island Model Railroad Club
Railroad Museum of Long Island
Railroad Museum of Long Island
Bayport-Blue Point Historical Association
Central Operating Lines
Hicksville Community Center
