This program finished on Monday, January 17
the Great Trains Holiday Show is back!
OPENS Friday, November 26 – LAST DAY Monday, January 17, 2022
PLEASE NOTE THat masks are required
If you are symptomatic or had exposure to Covid within the last 10 days – please visit us another time
check back for updates – more programs are being added for holiday fun!
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 2021-2022
DATES: Friday, November 26- Monday, January 17, 2022
Closed Saturday, December 25 and Saturday, January 1, 2022
TIMES: Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 – 4:00, and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00.
Open half day (10:00 – 2:00) on Friday, December 24, Friday, December 31
ADMISSION: Free for members of the Wilton Historical Society; $5 per non-member child and $10 for non-member adults.
PROGRAMS:
“Over the River and Through the Woods” with Tom Hooker Hanford
Saturday, November 27th, 2 – 3 pm
“Over The River and Through the Woods” is a delectable peek into Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions of 19th-century America with songs and stories of the period. The rousing program also features children’s songs enjoyed by youngsters of the 1800s and bound to delight kids of today with sing along and other participation. It will be performed in the 1860 Abbott Barn during the Great Holiday Train Show.
Jingle All the Way!
Festive Carols and Winter Songs with Music on the Hill!
Saturday, December 4th, 2 – 3 pm
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 4 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. Be sure to leave time to see the Great Trains Holiday Show from 10:00 – 4:00.
Rain/snow date: Sunday December 5, 2:00 – 3:00
Santa Day! Holly Jolly Saturday
Saturday, December 11, 1 – 3 pm
What could be more in-the-holiday-spirit than a chance to confide in Santa, see exciting trains run, delight in a twinkling holiday village, and find one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends? See the trains before or after a visit with Santa in the barn!
Have A Silhouette Portrait Made!
Artist Deborah O’Connor Creates Heirloom Silhouette Portraits
Saturday, December 11, 11 am – 2 pm
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. “Cutting silhouettes is basically drawing with a pair of scissors. The only difference is you can’t make any mistakes, as there is no erasing,” Ms. O’Connor says.
Please call 203-762-7257 to book your reservation — a deposit is required.
This year there is an option for pre-ordering silhouettes by sending a photo, which can be picked up during the Great Trains Holiday Show. Your pre-order must be placed with Wilton Historical no later than December 4. Ms. O’Connor also creates pet silhouettes, which can be pre-ordered with a photo, but are not available in a “live” sitting. Please call for details on how to pre-order. 203-762-7257
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!