Illustration of neighbours admiring a cottage yard full of lit snowmen and candy canes (Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains)

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains

Visitors can observe track-level views of over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives winding through a miniature metropolis and snowy hills. The exhibit features a Holiday Scavenger Hunt where guests search for hidden objects nestled within the garden railway layout. Guests can also explore an interactive storybook tracing train history, pose before a dancing Northern Lights photo backdrop, and visit Santa by his fireplace.

Map It Details Official site

🎄 If you like this, try:

Illustration of two small figures in knitted hats and a snowman in a red scarf on a snowy street lined with lit houses (Downtown Dazzle) Downtown Dazzle Illustration of Christmas light displays in Cincinnati 24 Christmas light displays in Cincinnati
Advertisement

See more Christmas lights near Cincinnati

Illustration of neighbours admiring a cottage yard full of lit snowmen and candy canes (PNC Festival of Lights) PNC Festival of Lights Cincinnati · 3 mi Illustration of a crowd looking up at a town hall lit in coloured light as snow falls (Pyramid Hill Lights) Pyramid Hill Lights Hamilton · 18 mi Illustration of a family gazing at houses and trees covered in string lights on a snowy street at dusk (WinterFest at Kings Island) WinterFest at Kings Island Mason · 22 mi Illustration of glowing trees reflected in a lake with visitors watching from a small footbridge (Winter Wonderland at Washington Park) Winter Wonderland at Washington Park Cincinnati · 1 mi Illustration of Santa checking a long list at a desk with an elf while children peek around a door (Light Up The Levee) Light Up The Levee Newport · 2 mi Illustration of Santa in a red suit sitting in an armchair as a small child shows him a paper list beside a lit fireplace (Holidays on the Farm) Holidays on the Farm Cincinnati · 10 mi

Plan Your Visit

Website / Tickets

cincymuseum.org

When

Tickets

Free for members or included with Museum Admission.

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

West End

Going?

Location

See it and nearby events on the map
Union Terminal · 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203 Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with children and train fans

Vibe

Festive, nostalgic, playful

Energy Level

Low

Photo Friendly

High

Tips & Advice

  • Have your camera ready when you walk in, because the Northern Lights display with dancing green lights and snowy trees makes a family photo backdrop.
  • Give yourself time to walk all the way around the layout, because the Holiday Scavenger Hunt hides objects throughout the snowy hills.
  • Visit on or after November 27 if seeing Santa matters, since that's when he arrives at his fireplace in the Ruthven Gallery.
  • Pair the trains with an OMNIMAX® film, either the new Train Time or the returning Rocky Mountain Express, to make it a full rail-themed day.
  • Museum members get into Holiday Junction free, and for everyone else it's included with regular Museum Admission.

Special Events & Promotions

  • The Duke Energy Holiday Trains celebrate their 80th season.
  • Santa arrives on Friday, November 27.
  • New this year: Train Time debuts in the OMNIMAX® Theater, and Rocky Mountain Express is back.
  • Tower A visits run on select dates in December through Cincinnati Heritage Programs.
  • Extended holiday hours run on select dates.

Links & Contact

Run by Cincinnati Museum Center

Website / Tickets Contact

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see?

Over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives run through a miniature city and snowy hills, and you see them at track level. There's also a Northern Lights photo backdrop and an interactive storybook on the history of the trains.

Where do we visit Santa?

Santa arrives on Friday, November 27. After that you can visit him by his fireplace in the Ruthven Gallery.

What's special this year?

The Duke Energy Holiday Trains celebrate their 80th season this year. They first ran downtown in 1946. The OMNIMAX® Theater is also debuting Train Time.

Is there something for kids to do besides watch the trains?

Yes. The Holiday Scavenger Hunt hides objects throughout the garden railway layout for kids to find in the snowy hills.

Can we visit Tower A?

Yes, on select dates in December, through Cincinnati Heritage Programs. Tower A was the command center for the 216 trains a day that came through Union Terminal. Today it overlooks the working intermodal yard.

Featured Video

Browse Christmas in Cincinnati

Illustration of felt figures in red hats and sweaters sharing mugs of cocoa at a small table near decorated trees Parties8 events Illustration of felt figures in red Santa hats handing wrapped gifts to one another near small snowmen and Christmas trees Giving Opportunities1 event Illustration of a snowman and small decorated trees in a snowy yard beside a red house, all glowing with warm string lights Lights24 events Illustration of a snowy holiday market stall with snowmen in knit hats and scarves, pine trees and glowing string lights Markets24 events Illustration of three felt snowmen in knit hats and scarves beside red stage curtains, with a small Christmas tree nearby Shows5 events Illustration of children playing in the snow near a decorated tree and a hot drinks cart in a village square Unique & Unusual18 events MapNearby

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

✏️ Suggest a correction to this listing

Contributors & Updates

Event details verified: