The whistle of the holidays sounds once again at the Eiteljorg Museum as it launches the 16th annual Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.
This Indianapolis tradition, opening Nov. 15, 2025 through Jan. 19, invites visitors of all ages to marvel at a sprawling model railroad crafted from natural materials and featuring a permanent new addition: a charming miniature scene of the iconic Route 66.
For over a decade, the exhibit has transported guests on a whimsical journey across a landscape constructed from pinecones, tree bark, seed pods and other forest elements. The team at Applied Imagination in Alexandria, Kentucky, meticulously designs the displays, through which more than 1,200 feet of G-scale track guide electric trains.
“Each year, the Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails exhibit at the Eiteljorg brings joy and wonder to visitors of all ages,” Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh said. “It’s a beloved tradition that captures the magic of the season, sparks curiosity and invites families to make lasting memories together at the museum.”
The journey begins with a tour of Indianapolis landmarks, including creative replicas of Monument Circle, Lucas Oil Stadium, the OneAmerica Tower and the historic Madam Walker Theatre. Dioramas of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indiana State Fair, crafted from materials like gourds, moss and soybeans, are also on display during the event.
Next, the trains chug westward, passing representations of America’s natural and architectural wonders. The route includes views of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier and Mesa Verde national parks as well as the Hoover Dam, the Las Vegas Strip and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Making a triumphant return for the first time since 2018 is the enchanting Route 66 scene, which will now remain a permanent fixture of the display.
To accommodate holiday schedules, the Eiteljorg offers extended hours until 7 p.m. on several dates, including the weekend of Dec. 13-14, the period from Dec. 18-21, and the Friday-through Sunday following Christmas, Dec. 26-28.
Admission to Jingle Rails is included with regular museum entry. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, and $12 for youth aged 5 to 17. Children 4 and under, as well as museum members, receive free admission.
Indiana college, university, and trade school students also get in free by presenting a valid campus ID.
The museum has curated a suite of special programs to enhance the seasonal experience. A life-size inflatable train will return to the front lawn for photo opportunities.
Artisanal shopping will be available at Winter Markets on three Saturdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20. The November market will feature artists from the Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival, while the December dates will spotlight local Indiana creators.
Hands-on learning will be the focus of Jingle Rails Workshops. A holiday card foam printmaking session for ages 10 and up is scheduled for Dec. 13, and an all-ages clay train workshop will be held on Dec. 20. Both sessions require advanced registration.
For visitors with sensory sensitivities, the museum will host a Sensory-Friendly Morning Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. – noon.
For tickets, visit Eiteljorg.org/JingleRails.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on socials @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.
