When is the Helena Railroad Fair 2027?

Not yet posted as of September 2026. The fair is held the last Sunday in April; the 2026 fair was Sunday, April 26, and the last Sunday of April 2027 is April 25. Check the Helena Civic Center events page or the fair's Facebook page.

Where is the Helena Railroad Fair held?

In the Helena Civic Center ballroom at 340 Neill Avenue, Helena, MT 59601. It is not at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds.

How much does the Helena Railroad Fair cost?

$5 admission. Children 12 and under are free.

Is the Helena Railroad Fair a model train show or a swap meet?

It is primarily a sales and swap show, with up to 200 tables of tinplate and toy trains, scale models and railroad collectibles to buy, sell and trade. The city bills it as the largest railroad hobby event in the Northern Rockies.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the fair, per the City of Helena listing. A KTVH roundup listed 3:30 p.m. as closing time, so plan to arrive well before mid-afternoon.

Annual · Last Sunday in April, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Helena Railroad Fair

Up to 200 tables of toy trains and railroad collectibles fill the Civic Center the last Sunday of April for $5.

When

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Finished for 2026. Next year's dates are not announced yet; it usually falls last Sunday in April, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Where

Helena Civic Center

340 Neill Ave., Helena, MT 59601

Cost

$5; ages 12 and under free

By Helena Railroad Fair (organizer not named on the city listing; updates posted on its Facebook page)

About Helena Railroad Fair

The Helena Railroad Fair is a one-day buy, sell and trade show for railroad hobbyists that has run every spring since the early 1980s; the April 26, 2026 edition was billed as the 44th annual fair. It takes place in the Helena Civic Center at 340 Neill Avenue, not at the fairgrounds, and fills the ballroom, balcony gallery and stage with up to 200 tables of tinplate and toy trains, scale models and railroad and transportation collectibles. The City of Helena, which runs the Civic Center, lists it as the largest railroad hobby event in the Northern Rockies. The organizers post updates on the Helena Railroad Fair Facebook page.

The fair is held the last Sunday in April from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 and children 12 and under get in free. The Civic Center sits at 340 Neill Avenue at the corner of Benton Avenue, a few blocks north of the Last Chance Gulch Walking Mall, so it is walkable from downtown. The 2024 fair was April 28, the 2025 fair was Sunday, April 27, and the 2026 fair was Sunday, April 26. A 2027 date had not been posted on the city's Civic Center events page as of September 2026; the last Sunday of April 2027 is April 25.

What happens

Up to 200 dealer tables of toy trains, scale models and railroad collectibles
Ballroom, balcony gallery and stage areas of the Civic Center all in use
Buy, sell and trade format for hobbyists and collectors
$5 admission, kids 12 and under free

Tips

Doors open at 9:30 a.m.; come early for the best selection.
Many table vendors are hobbyists, so bring cash in case cards are not accepted.
Kids 12 and under are free, which makes it a cheap Sunday outing for train-obsessed toddlers.
Look for the KTVH and Independent Record event roundups in mid-April for any schedule changes.

Official site & tickets →

Helena Railroad Fair FAQ

When is the Helena Railroad Fair 2027?: Not yet posted as of September 2026. The fair is held the last Sunday in April; the 2026 fair was Sunday, April 26, and the last Sunday of April 2027 is April 25. Check the Helena Civic Center events page or the fair's Facebook page.
Where is the Helena Railroad Fair held?: In the Helena Civic Center ballroom at 340 Neill Avenue, Helena, MT 59601. It is not at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds.
How much does the Helena Railroad Fair cost?: $5 admission. Children 12 and under are free.
Is the Helena Railroad Fair a model train show or a swap meet?: It is primarily a sales and swap show, with up to 200 tables of tinplate and toy trains, scale models and railroad collectibles to buy, sell and trade. The city bills it as the largest railroad hobby event in the Northern Rockies.
What are the hours?: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the fair, per the City of Helena listing. A KTVH roundup listed 3:30 p.m. as closing time, so plan to arrive well before mid-afternoon.

Events at Helena Civic Center More family in Helena