The Model Train Festival returns to the Washington State History Museum from December 19, 2025, through January 1, 2026. For 29 years, this beloved Tacoma tradition has brought together model train clubs from across the region, filling the museum with stunning miniature worlds. Generations of families, friends, and train enthusiasts from throughout the Pacific Northwest have made it a cherished holiday event.
“I hope to inspire a new generation to discover the world of model railroading,” said first-time exhibitor Tim Jordan, creator of the “Tribute to Seattle” layout. “Sometimes you need to see an incredible layout to really inspire them.” Jordan’s project, 22 years in the making, features over a dozen iconic Seattle landmarks, a miniature Sounder train, and other familiar sights from Puget Sound.
Guests can explore four floors of room-sized layouts from nine model railroad clubs, each with its own unique theme—such as Tacoma in the 1950s, European cityscapes, and scenes from across Washington state. New this year: a rotating selection of limited-run displays, including the “Tribute to Seattle” layout, a 1930s Sonoran Desert landscape, and a Z-scale club featuring model trains at an astonishing 1:220 scale, the smallest on the market.
Beyond the train layouts, there are activities for all ages. Kids can watch model train videos in the auditorium and try hands-on activities in the lobby. Be sure to snap photos at the selfie stations or with Seymour History, the museum’s Olympic marmot mascot.
Model Train Festival is open daily from Friday, December 19, 2025, to Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum will be closed on December 24 and 25. The festival is included with general admission. Library passes and other discounts are not valid during Model Train Festival.
Get all the details and plan your visit today at The 29th Annual Model Train Festival – Washington State Historical Society.
About The Washington State Historical Society and History Museum
The Washington State Historical Society works with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Its most prominent activity is the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma’s Museum District on Pacific Avenue. The museum features interactive core exhibitions about Washington in the Great Hall, rotating special exhibitions, and various public events and programs that cover a wide range of historical topics. The WSHS provides curriculum resources, downloadable exhibitions, and educational support across the state, as well as consultation and resources for museums and heritage organizations.
Address: 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday.