All Smiles Aboard Railroad
All Aboard! Be sure to catch the All Smiles Aboard Trackless Train running through Eastwood Mall  {Find Our More}
When: Daily (hours vary)
Where: 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road Niles, OH 44446
Cost: Tickets for children and adults are $4. Children under 6 months are free with paying adult.

Kringle Chugga Choo-Choo^®at Tower City Center
All aboard the Kringle Chugga Choo-Choo! Travel on one of North's most favorite passenger trains for a delightful ride through displays of animated wonder! 
When: November 23-December 24, 2019
Where: 230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
Cost: Train tickets are $3 per rider

The Garden Express at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Garden Express takes riders through the outdoor gardens, among twinkling lights and lively decorations. {Find Out More}
When: November 23, 2018-January 5, 2019; See site for times
Where: 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Cost: GLOW Tickets: $16 per adult, $12 per child, FREE for Garden and Holden Arboretum members and children under age 2

Express Train Rides at Crocker Park
Enjoy a festive ride around Crocker Park this holiday season aboard the Holiday Express Train. {Find Out More}
When: November 24-December 24, 2019; See site for times
Where: 228 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: $3 per person per ride

Santa Train Ride with the Lorain & West Virginia Railway Train Depot
Enjoy complimentary, warm hot chocolate in this vintage railway station, which is decorated for the season, then board the train for a short ride and a chance to visit Santa. {Find Out More}
When: November 29-30 & December 6-7, 13-15, 2019; See site for times
Where: Lorain & West Virginia Railway Train Depot, 46789 OH-18, Wellington, OH 44090
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child & senior

Santa Express Train Rides at Ohio Station Outlets
Ride the train, meet Santa for storytime, and take your own photos. {Find Out More}
When: Select days, November 30-December 24, 2019
Where: 9911 Avon Lake Rd., Lodi, OH 44214
Cost: $8 per person ages 2+, $5 per adult and child age 5 and younger, $5 per person for photos with Santa

FREE Train Rides! Lake Shore Live Steamers
Miniature train engines pull passengers through the woodlands of Penitentiary Glen Reservation past the rim of the gorge! Trains run weather permitting. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019; 1pm-3pm
Where: 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE

Polar Express Train Ride

The Polar Express Train Ride with Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers are entertained by a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg and upon arrival at the North Pole, elves are eagerly waving to families as they prepare for the big day. On the way back home Santa greets guests and each child will receive their own sleigh bell – just like in the movie! {Find Out More}
When: November 8-December 21, 2019 (No runs November 11 or 28, 2019)
Akron: Departs 7pm
Rockside: Departs 7:15pm
Where: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron, OH 44308
Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131
Cost: Varies

The Polar Express at The Dennison Depot

Put on your favorite pair of pajamas and hop aboard the Polar Express for a magical journey to the North Pole, featuring a family reenactment of the award-winning book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. As the train heads north toward the North Pole, festive elves will entertain you with songs, games, and activities. Enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies made by Mrs. Claus and served on-board. When the train arrives at the North Pole you will see Santa and his workshop out your train window. (Passengers do not get off the train.) The train stops long enough to pick up Santa, who will visit with children on the way back and gift them all with a special jingle bell taken from the reindeer’s harness. {Find Out More}
When: December 6-8 & 13-15, 2019; Fridays: 6pm & 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, & 8pm
Where: Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, 400 Center St., Dennison, OH 44621
Cost: $42 per person for balcony seating, $50 per person for coach seating, $62 per person for deluxe seating, and $70 per person for First Class seating. Private compartments (seats up to five) are $450. (Please note, each ticket also has a $3 ticket fee.)

Holiday Model Train Displays

Holiday Nights at Beech Creek Botanical Garden
The gardens glow with holiday spirit and are transformed into a natural wonderful filled with unique festive displays. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, warming up near a campfire, twinkling lights, a storybook trail, miniature train exhibit, and more! {Find Out More}
When: Fridays & Saturdays, November 22-December 28, 2019; 5pm-9pm
Where: 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
Cost: $5 general admission, $4 per senior (ages 65+), FREE for children ages 0-2 and BC members

FREE Toy Train Town & Gingerbread Village at Crocker Park
The Northern Ohio Garden Railway Society – NOGRS builds a customized train set that will be on display throughout the season. Toy Train Town is located inside Santa’s Village in between Barnes & Noble and The Cheesecake Factory. {Find Out More}
When: November 23-December 24, 2019; Mon-Sat: 12pm-8pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm
Where: 228 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: FREE

FREE Trains Display at Puritas Nursery
See the annual display of holiday model trains. {Find Out More}
When: Daily, November 27-December 31, 2019 (Closed on Christmas)
Where: 19201 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135
Cost: FREE

Medina Model Railroad & Toy Show
Browse memorabilia, trains, and toys. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 1, 2019; 9am-3pm
Where: Medina Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, OH 44256
Cost: $6 per adult, FREE for children ages 12 and under

Model Train Extravaganza at North Bloomfield Historical Society
The 7th Annual Model Train Extravaganza promises to be bigger and better with new Area 54 display and LEGO contest. {Find Out More}
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, December 4-28, 2019; Sat: 2pm-5pm, Wed: 5pm-8pm (Closed on Christmas)
Where: 8830 Park Dr., North Bloomfield, OH 44450
Cost: FREE

Model Train Open Houses in Youngstown
The annual model train open house presented by the Youngstown Model Railroad Association. {Find Out More}
When: December 7-8, 2019; 12pm-6pm
Where: 751 N. Four Mile Run Rd. Austintown, OH 44515
Cost: $5 Donation per person, Children 11 and under FREE with adult

Christmas Train & Toy Show at Lakeland Community College
Come to the Christmas Train and Toy Show and see more than 200 dealers with model trains of all gauges, antique toys, diecast toys, and operating train layouts. There will be a Toys for Tots collection. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 15, 2019; 10am-3:30pm
Where: 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: $6 per adult, $3 per child ages 6-12, FREE for children ages 5 and under, and $15 per family

Know of a great train display or place to ride on a train that we've missed? Submit the details here and we will add it. Thanks for helping us all make memories this holiday season!

More Christmas Fun

Want more holiday fun? Check out our Christmas Events Guide with 150+ holiday things to do in Northeast Ohio!