Festival of Trains Returns to Creekside Church, Boosts Holiday Community

The Festival of Trains is currently on display at Creekside Community Church, 3836 W South Airport Road, offering multiple operating model train displays, a model train swap meet, door prizes, and special visits from Santa on selected dates. The exhibit began on Dec. 20 and continues through Jan. 4, with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on most days and modified hours on specific dates. Admission options and the full schedule are posted on the event page.

Organized by Curiosity Place, powered by The Great Lakes Children’s Museum, the festival is a recurring holiday attraction that brings families and visitors into the Traverse City area. The event uses church facilities to host a museum oriented program, demonstrating how local institutions collaborate to expand cultural programming during the winter season. That collaboration creates opportunities for nonprofit outreach, volunteer participation, and community access to educational exhibits outside traditional museum settings.

For Grand Traverse County residents the festival matters because it contributes to the seasonal economy and to community life. Events of this scale can increase foot traffic for nearby retailers and restaurants, provide family friendly options during school breaks, and offer volunteer and internship experiences connected to informal learning institutions. The use of a faith based facility as a venue also raises practical considerations for municipal planning, including parking management, public safety staffing, and pedestrian access during peak visitation days.

Policy implications include how local government and civic leaders support recurring community events. Municipal agencies could consider coordinated traffic and safety plans, timely permitting processes, and promotion through tourism channels to maximize public benefit. Community organizations that host or partner on events can influence civic engagement by creating low barrier opportunities for public gathering and volunteerism, which in turn can strengthen local ties to public institutions.

The Festival of Trains remains open through Jan. 4, providing a seasonal cultural amenity and an example of institutional cooperation that sustains community programming during the holidays.