Great Trains Show 2023-2024

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the Great Trains Holiday Show

OPENS Friday, November 24 – LAST DAY Monday, January 15, 2024

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 2023-2024

GRAND OPENING, 12:00 PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH

DATES: Friday, November 24- Monday, January 15, 2023

TIMES: Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 – 4:00
Sundays 12:00 – 4:00.

Closed:
Sunday, December 24th

Open Tuesday, December 26th, 10:00 – 4:00

Open Sunday, January 31st, 11:00 – 2:00

Open Monday, January 15th, 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.

This year’s Great Train Holiday Show was made possible by generous contributions from
Keough’s Paint & Hardware!


Special Holiday Programming!

More special events and programs to come!

Thursday, November 30th, 5pm to 7pm

Betts Store Holiday Sip & Shop Event 

It is never too early to start holiday shopping… and what’s better than kicking off the winter season than with a Betts Store Sip & Shop Event. Come visit the Betts Store Gift Shop, on Thursday November 30th from 5pm to 7pm, located inside the Wilton Historical Society, for a delightful glass of wine and delicious charcuterie while perusing the gift shop for fabulous holiday gifts.

From beautifully crafted houseware items such as, wooden serving boards, ceramic mugs, hand poured candles, various honey’s, teas, and cooking oils. As well as comfy cozy blankets, scarves and socks, and of course handcrafted jewelry which makes for the perfect gift… it’s timeless. We also have unique and fun children’s toys, books and puzzles, perfect for kids of all ages. We are the one-stop-shop for all things holiday, offering complimentary gift wrapping and a sweet treat to take on the road with you! We look forward to seeing you there!

Please contact jgarecht@wiltonhistorical.org if you have any questions.


Saturday, December 2nd, 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 2nd from 2:00 – 3:00 outside by the Abbott Barn. Perfect for kids, parents and grandparents, and includes a fun jingle-bell craft.

Rain date, Sunday, December 3rd, 2:00 – 3:00

No charge, donations encouraged.


Saturday, December 9th, 10:00 – 2:00

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.

APPOINTMENTS SOLD OUT!


Saturday, December 9th, 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 9th, 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


Sunday, December 3rd, 10th, 17th, 1:00 – 3:00

Colonial 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