Santa at Driveway waving at passing cars. Car 303 on NRS Track 1.

All aboard the elegant Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad #303, affectionately known as the “Roarin’ Elgin” or the “Great Third Rail”, for some old-fashioned holiday fun! Passengers will board the historic car and enjoy a festive journey filled with hot chocolate in a souvenir cup, a cookie, and a candy cane – all served with holiday cheer by two friendly elves. As the train turns around, kids will have the chance to write letters to Santa, which will be collected on the Westbound trip and delivered straight to Santa’s mailbox in the Visitor Center. After the ride, families are welcome to explore the Visitor Center as we prepare for the next magical adventure.

   Elf on the Elgin is held rain or shine.

 Ticket Prices

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door.

Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free.

All tickets sales are final. Refunds or transfers are only honored up to seven days before the date of the event. After this period, no changes can be made. Transfers will have a charge associated with the transaction. No-shows will be charged the full price, so be sure to plan ahead and reserve your spot early for these festive experience!

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Thank you for your understanding!

Purchase Tickets

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

Event Details

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Thank you for your understanding!

Winterfest 2024 and the dazzling “Tunnel of Lights” return to the Connecticut Trolley Museum starting Friday, November 29th! Experience the magic every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from November 29th through December 22nd, with extended hours from December 26th to December 30th during school vacation. This family-friendly holiday tradition runs from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and promises to immerse visitors in festive cheer with over 10,000 lights illuminating both the museum’s interior and exterior. Opening Night November 29th Santa will be visiting, bring a camera to capture a picture with Santa.

Outside, hop aboard one of the museum’s cozy, closed trolley cars and ride through the enchanting “Tunnel of Lights”. For a more immersive experience, brave the winter chill on one of the open-air trolleys, entirely adorned with holiday lights for an unforgettable view of the tunnel. Bundle up, bring blankets, and enjoy the crisp air as you take in the festive atmosphere.

Inside, the Visitor Center transforms into a Winter Wonderland, featuring elaborate model train layouts, twinkling lights, and holiday decorations that will captivate visitors of all ages. With something magical around every corner, it’s the perfect destination for families and holiday enthusiasts alike.

   Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights is held rain or shine. During inclement weather, open cars are not operated and are substituted with closed cars.

 Tickets

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Tickets are for admission to Winterfest and a specific departure time for the trolley ride through the Tunnel of Lights. Departures are specific for the type of trolley ride (open or closed trolleys). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free.

Member Tickets: Engineer, Conductor, and Motorman levels allow for discount event admission for the individual member only. Caboose memberships (i.e., family membership), and higher tiers, are permitted up to six (6) discount event admissions. Membership Details

All tickets sales are final. Refunds or transfers are only honored up to seven days before the date of the event. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights Group Tickets

The Trolley Museum is opening for groups of 20 or more Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., during Winterfest, November 26th to December 20th. Group rates available and get a visit from Santa! Contact us for group booking. Reservations for group visits must be made in advance by contacting the Trolley Museum office.

 Download the Group Flyer

Purchase Tickets

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

 “Yappy Hour”

They do Both cats and dogs

Event Details

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Thank you for your understanding!

Winterfest 2024 and the dazzling “Tunnel of Lights” return to the Connecticut Trolley Museum starting Friday, November 29th! Experience the magic every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from November 29th through December 22nd, with extended hours from December 26th to December 30th during school vacation. This family-friendly holiday tradition runs from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and promises to immerse visitors in festive cheer with over 10,000 lights illuminating both the museum’s interior and exterior. Opening Night November 29th Santa will be visiting, bring a camera to capture a picture with Santa.

Outside, hop aboard one of the museum’s cozy, closed trolley cars and ride through the enchanting “Tunnel of Lights”. For a more immersive experience, brave the winter chill on one of the open-air trolleys, entirely adorned with holiday lights for an unforgettable view of the tunnel. Bundle up, bring blankets, and enjoy the crisp air as you take in the festive atmosphere.

Inside, the Visitor Center transforms into a Winter Wonderland, featuring elaborate model train layouts, twinkling lights, and holiday decorations that will captivate visitors of all ages. With something magical around every corner, it’s the perfect destination for families and holiday enthusiasts alike.

   Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights is held rain or shine. During inclement weather, open cars are not operated and are substituted with closed cars.

 Tickets

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Tickets are for admission to Winterfest and a specific departure time for the trolley ride through the Tunnel of Lights. Departures are specific for the type of trolley ride (open or closed trolleys). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free.

Member Tickets: Engineer, Conductor, and Motorman levels allow for discount event admission for the individual member only. Caboose memberships (i.e., family membership), and higher tiers, are permitted up to six (6) discount event admissions. Membership Details

All tickets sales are final. Refunds or transfers are only honored up to seven days before the date of the event. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights Group Tickets

The Trolley Museum is opening for groups of 20 or more Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., during Winterfest, November 26th to December 20th. Group rates available and get a visit from Santa! Contact us for group booking. Reservations for group visits must be made in advance by contacting the Trolley Museum office.

 Download the Group Flyer

Purchase Tickets

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

A great program for our younger visitors. Storytime Trolley with Santa and his Elf will run on Saturday Dec 7th and 14th. Visitors will enjoy a ride in a decorated vintage trolley car where Santa will visit with each child and be engaged the entire ride on the trolley. Also, while on board Santa’s elf will read a holiday story and each child will complete a craft. Following the trolley ride, Museum guests will head to the Visitors Center which has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland with multiple model train layouts and lights galore.

   Storytime Trolley with Santa & his Elf is held rain or shine.

 Tickets

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Tickets are for admission to the Museum and a specific departure time for the trolley ride. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.

Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free.

Member Tickets: Engineer, Conductor, and Motorman levels allow for half-off event admission for the individual member only. Caboose memberships (i.e., family membership), and higher tiers, are permitted up to six (6) half-off event admissions. Membership Details

All tickets sales are final. Refunds or transfers are only honored up to seven days before the date of the event. After this period, no changes can be made. Transfers will have a charge associated with the transaction. No-shows will be charged the full price, so be sure to plan ahead and reserve your spot early for these festive experience!

For the best experience, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. If space allows, we’ll be happy to accommodate you at the door. Thank you for your understanding!

Purchase Tickets

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time.