CINCINNATI — Locomotives are settling into their holiday routes at the Cincinnati Museum Center as Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains enters their 76th season this Friday.

Since 1964, families have gathered to watch the miniature trains and rail cars zip around the snowbanks.

What You Need To Know

  • The Duke Energy Holiday Trains return to the Cincinnati Museum Center Friday, Nov. 11

  • Featured is 1,000 feet of O-gauge track and a 1904 electric toy train from the Cincinnati-based Carlisle & Finch Company

  • This year school spirit pieces from University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University are part of the holiday scavenger hunt

  • Tickets are $10 for both adults and children, or $5 with the purchase of any other museum experience

“Year after year, decade after decade, generation after generation, the Duke Energy Holiday Trains have delighted families and have been a centerpiece of the season,” said Elizabeth Pierce, president & CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center. “Whether you’re falling in love with the wooden, brightly-colored circus train for the first time or you’re noticing a new detail along the tracks and snow-covered hills after 60 years, there’s something in the display that brings out the wide-eyed child in all of us each year.”

Featured is 1,000 feet of O-gauge track and a 1904 electric toy train from the Cincinnati-based Carlisle & Finch Company, who produced the first such toy train in 1896. 

Nearby, a pre-World War II Lionel layout and Lionel Super O layout from the 1960s show the evolution of toy trains and landscapes. Brickopolis, created from LEGO bricks to show scenes from Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter, a LEGO metropolis with running trains and more are on display for visitors.

A holiday scavenger hunt is sprawled along the garden railways layout with holiday-themed objects and this year, school spirit pieces from University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University are hidden as well.

Santa arrives Nov. 25 to meet with visitors in the Public Landing, adjacent to Holiday Junction. 

Tickets are $10 for both adults and children, or $5 with the purchase of any other museum experience. Museum members have free admission.

CMC will host extended hours on select dates:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 23, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 24, closed
  • Friday, Nov. 25, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 26, open 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 20 to Friday, Dec. 23, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 24, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 25, closed
  • Monday, Dec. 26 to Monday, Jan. 2, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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