Ashland Train Day by Finger Print Photo Studio
Get ready to blow the whistle on boredom because Ashland Train Day is pulling into the station on Saturday, April 26, from 11 AM to 4 PM in historic downtown Ashland! Whether you're a dedicated railfan or just looking for a first-class way to spend the day, this locomotive-loving festival is packed with entertainment, shopping, and dining that will keep your spirits chugging along.
Dining That’s on the Right Track
Ashland Train Day-ers dining at Homemades by Suzanne
Ashland is always a food lover’s paradise, but Train Day puts the local dining scene in the express lane. Within the event area, you can dine at hometown favorites like The Caboose Market & Cafe, Origin Beer Lab, Iron Horse Restaurant, Homemades by Suzanne, Classic Coffee, Tea and Books, Cafe 54 Breakfast and Lunch, The Henry Clay Inn, Sugar Fix Bakery, Sweet Frog, Ashland Pot Pie Company, and Ash & Olive. Craving something on the go? The Ashland Train Day Food Court is brimming with flavors from around the world, featuring Monique’s Crepes, Strawberry Street Events, Hungry Hungry Arrow, Auntie Alice’s Kettle Corn, and Good Vices Ices. Plus, volunteers will enjoy special treats as a thank-you for keeping the event running on time!
Make a pit stop at Ashland Meat Company @ Cross Brothers for a selection of farm-to-fork deli platters, gourmet sandwiches, and local libations. If you need fuel for your day, drink up great beverages and books at Classic Coffee, Tea and Books. Whether you sit down for a meal at The Caboose Market & Cafe or grab a treat from Homemades by Suzanne, there's no shortage of delicious dining to fuel your festival fun.
Off the Rails Shopping
Shop ‘til you drop with over 100 vendors selling unique finds, from jewelry and art to baked goods and handcrafted toys. Bravo Bakeshop, the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition winner, will be serving up award-winning treats to satiate your sweet tooth while your friendly neighborhood dentists at Root Modern Dentistry keep them clean.
Make a stop at Amtrak Virginia’s booth to play games and enter a raffle for a free trip along the East Coast! Swing by Wawa’s tent for snacks and a selfie with Wally Goose, or visit BeMobile for tech-savvy fun and games. Get hands-on with a truckload of fun at Pella Windows & Doors’ Touch a Truck experience, meet the exterior experts at Smallwood Renovations, and learn what makes Hanover Academy such a special place for young learners. Get crafty with Macaroni Kid’s hands-on fun for families.
Need a moment to relax before you continue chugging along? The Healing Circle will be offering insights into their award-winning outpatient therapy, and Friends of the Library will have their annual children’s book sale outside the Ashland Branch Library.
Tiny Tim’s Toys & Trains at Ashland Train Day
And if you think the fun stops here, think again—some of Ashland’s best shopping and experiences are just steps away! Fin & Feather is the perfect place to stock up on pet supplies, from gourmet treats to small animals and fish, while Tiny Tim’s Toys & Trains will spark joy for every age with model trains, science kits, and games for the whole family. If you're searching for something one-of-a-kind, Changing Reins specializes in gently used equestrian gear and vintage home décor, while The Shop at 112 is a treasure trove of carefully curated antiques and collectibles. Yarn lovers will find inspiration at Center of the Yarniverse, where shelves are stocked with vibrant fibers and tools for knitting and crocheting. Meanwhile, Ashland Feed Store is bringing the farm to town with a petting zoo, alongside all the gardening and animal care essentials you could need.
For entertainment, don’t miss the train-themed movies and classic showings at Ashland Theatre, or strike a pose with dazzling light displays from Alpha-Lit at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center and Sign Gypsies at Caravati’s Architectural Salvage, a must-visit destination for historic home restoration and vintage finds. If you’re looking to add a little sparkle, Wagner Jewelers specializes in handcrafted, custom-designed pieces, including reimagined heirloom jewelry. And for those who love unique, artistic gifts, Refunkit is filled with funky, handcrafted creations from talented artists across Virginia and beyond.
Whether you're shopping, snacking, or sightseeing, this adventure through historic downtown Ashland promises something for everyone—so grab your ticket and hop aboard!
Entertainment That Keeps the Wheels Turning
This year’s lineup is a non-stop express of excitement! Head to the Hanover Arts and Activities Center lawn for a live performance by the Hanover Concert Band, and groove to your favorite hits with Center Street Sound Co at the pavilion. Over with Free Jambalaya at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, enjoy live music that will keep your feet moving all day long!
For train lovers of all ages, check out the model train displays featuring vintage locomotives, LEGO layouts, and even a classic red caboose. Then, step inside the Ashland Museum to uncover the town’s rich railroading history, and don’t miss the fully restored 1926 C&O red caboose for a journey back in time to the golden age of the railroad! Over at the Ashland Branch Library, enjoy Matthew Dodd’s storytelling and singing, plus a wooden train play area for little conductors in training.
Feeling competitive? Take part in the Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys—snap pictures at key stops to win a first-class prize! You might even spot Ashland Dance Academy performing Choo Choo Boogie through out town. For family fun, the Kid Zone sponsored by New Community Church offers bouncy houses, an obstacle course, games, and face painting. Hop aboard the Kiddie Train sponsored by Your Path Counseling Center, or get up close and personal with big rigs at RCI Builders’ Touch a Truck experience.
If you’re feeing nice, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Ashland Town Hall. If you’re feeling naughty, test your wits at RED VEIN Escape, where you and your team must crack codes and solve puzzles to break free. Then, step into the supernatural with the Ashland Haunted History Tours—guided ghost walks through town featuring chilling tales and eerie encounters.
All aboard for even more fun at the Ashland-Hanover Visitors Center, located in the historic Ashland Train Station, where you can learn about all the must-see destinations, dining, and lodging in the area. And don’t miss the Blue Ridge Live Steamers & Titan Trains, where kids and adults alike can ride on miniature locomotives outside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center!
While you wait for shuttles at The Ashland Hanover Shopping Center and Ashland Junction Shopping Center, make sure you check out all the fun to be found in those brick-and-mortars—like soul food at Around The Table, freshly pressed tortillas at La Catrina Tortilleria, the luxurious amenities at XtraSuite Salon Studios, and the stunning displays at the RF&P Model Railroad Club.
Virtual Railfan: Bringing Train Day to the World
Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry, Virtual Railfan has you covered! Stop by the Ashland Branch Library to meet the team behind the famous rail livestream, or join thousands of viewers from around the world by watching Ashland’s bustling tracks online.
All Aboard for a Day to Remember!
With so much to see, taste, and explore, Ashland Train Day is the ultimate destination for families, railfans, and festival-goers alike. So grab your conductor’s hat, bring your appetite, and prepare for a day of full-steam-ahead fun in the Center of the Universe!
For more details and updates, visit AshlandTrainDay.com