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the Great Trains Holiday Show
OPENS Friday, November 25 – LAST DAY Monday, January 16, 2023
Don’t miss the return of a favorite Wilton holiday tradition – trains, trains and more trains – and Santa, too!
Returning the day after Thanksgiving! One of the most cherished of Wilton’s traditions – a visit to experience the Great Trains Holiday Show! Take the children in your life to an entrancing afternoon with trains and holiday excitement. Wilton Historical’s historic 18th and 19th century buildings are charmingly decorated and transformed into a train-lovers delight with many different model train layouts winding through tiny towns with a variety of different kinds of buildings, tunnels and all sorts of delightful animals showing up in unexpected places! The displays enchant visitors of all ages with lots of buttons to push and knowledgeable “train engineers” on hand to “talk trains”.
See a marvelous miniature holiday village, twinkling with lights – a seasonal delight!
Thrill to the sight of dozens of charming tiny buildings, people and activities in this amazing show village. Teeming with skaters, children sledding, horses pulling wagons, swans swimming and even Ebenezer Scrooge in his gloomy house!
GREAT HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW SCHEDULE 2022-2023
GRAND OPENING, 12:00 PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH
DATES: Friday, November 25- Monday, January 16, 2023
TIMES: Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 – 4:00, and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00.
Closed:
Saturday, December 24th
Sunday, December 25th
Sunday, January 1st
Open half day (10:00 – 2:00) on Saturday, December 31st
Open Tuesday, December 27th, 10:00 – 4:00
Open Monday, January 16th, 10:00 – 4:00
ADMISSION: Free for members of the Wilton Historical Society; $5 per non-member child and $10 for non-member adults. All tickets sold at the door upon arrival, no pre-purchase necessary.
Special Holiday Programming!
Sunday, December 4th, 2:00 – 3:00
Jingle All the Way with Music on the Hill
Join Music on the Hill as they perform favorite holiday carols and winter songs with singers and ringers! Jingle All the Way will take place on Saturday, December 3 from 2:00 – 3:00 outside by the Abbott Barn. Perfect for kids, parents and grandparents, and includes a fun jingle-bell craft.
No charge, donations encouraged.
Sunday, December 4th, 11th, 18th, 1:00 – 3:00 (Additional dates coming soon!)
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstrations
Join historical educator Candiss Cowan as she demonstrates 18th century cooking techniques and recipes! Cooking over a real fire in the original fireplace of the Society’s c. 1772 Sloan-Raymond-Fitch house, Candiss will explore the actual ingredients of common colonial dishes, how those recipes were prepared, and the tools used in the process.
Free with admission to the Great Trains Holiday Show
Saturday, December 17th, 11:00 – 3:00
Have A Silhouette Portrait Made by Artist Deborah O’Connor!
Renowned silhouette artist Deborah O’Connor will create individual portraits cut entirely freehand from paper, using scissors as her only tool. Subjects pose for silhouettes, created in a matter of minutes, which they can take home–the perfect holiday gift, and a future cherished family heirloom.
Please call 203-762-7257 to book your reservation — a $15 deposit is required.
Saturday, December 17th, 1:00 – 3:00
Holly Jolly Saturday – Santa Visits!
Embrace the holiday spirit with a visit to the Train Show and a chance for the kids to meet with Santa! On Saturday, December 17th, from 1:00 – 3:00, Santa Claus will be in the 1860’s Abbott Barn for one last opportunity for kids to confide what they would like for the holidays.
FREE WITH ADMISSION TO THE GREAT TRAINS HOLIDAY SHOW
And for gifting, don’t miss the Betts Store Museum Shop
The Museum Shop, like the original 18th-century Betts Store, always features locally-made and one-of-a-kind items, many hand-crafted. The store is freshly stocked for holiday shopping, and is brimming with an eclectic and interesting collection of affordable finds and follies! At the Betts Store you will discover beautiful gifts for holiday giving, including jewelry, scarves, books, puzzles and letterpress note cards plus nifty toys, games and crafts for kids. There is an excellent selection of home accessories and hostess gifts…unusual candles, honey and jam, artwork, mugs, bowls, cups and tea towels, including a good selection of Wilton-themed items featuring local landmarks. The store is committed to supporting local craftsmen and businesses; all items are made in the U.S.A.
Watch the video below for a festive preview of the trains!
Video courtesy of David Riss of Greyskye Marketing. Thank you David!