Rail Fair at Ardenwood Historic Farm

Rail Fair returns to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, giving Bay Area visitors a three-day Memorial Day weekend event built around trains, railroad history and family activities. The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources, or SPCRR, describes the event as its annual celebration of Bay Area railroad history. East Bay Regional Parks says the fair is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Railroad Museum at Ardenwood, which SPCRR operates. Listings from SPCRR, East Bay Regional Parks and Funcheap say the event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. ### What is Rail Fair actually putting on this weekend? SPCRR says Rail Fair is the one time each year it turns Ardenwood into a train-focused event site with historic railroad equipment, model trains, other transit displays, live bluegrass music and train rides. Funcheap and SPCRR both say visitors can expect operating model and live steam trains, displays of historic railroad equipment and activities aimed at a wide age range. The event is staged at Ardenwood Historic Farm, a regional park property at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard in Fremont. ### Which attractions are specific to this year’s event? SPCRR says one of the main draws is a display of delicate historic railroad cars from its collection. The group says those artifacts are usually kept in storage for preservation while they await restoration. Funcheap says organizers plan to bring out selected pieces with docents and signage explaining their significance. East Bay Regional Parks says admission includes the attractions on site. ### Who is running the event at Ardenwood? East Bay Regional Parks says Rail Fair is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Railroad Museum at Ardenwood. The museum is operated by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources, according to the parks registration page and SPCRR’s event site. SPCRR says Rail Fair is its annual event over Memorial Day weekend. Third-party local listings, including Funcheap, repeat that description and direct visitors to SPCRR for event information. ### How much do tickets cost, and do visitors need to buy ahead? East Bay Regional Parks lists admission at $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $13 for children ages 4 to 17. Children ages 3 and under are admitted free, according to the same registration page. The parks registration page says advance registration is available and online ticket sales end on Friday, May 22. It also says pre-sale tickets are non-refundable and that day-of-event tickets will still be sold at Ardenwood Historic Farm. ### What makes the event different from a regular day at the farm? SPCRR says Rail Fair is the annual weekend when its museum becomes “a true train museum,” with expanded displays and railroad programming beyond routine operations. Funcheap says all attractions are included in admission, rather than sold separately. Local event listings also point to live music and a concentration of railroad exhibits that are not part of a standard visit. SPCRR says additional 2026 exhibitor information is still to be announced on its event page. ### Where can people check schedules and last-minute details? SPCRR directs visitors to its website and Facebook page for Rail Fair information. East Bay Regional Parks lists a general information phone number, 510-544-2797, and says online ticketing closes before the weekend begins. Saturday, May 23, is the first day of the 2026 event, with the same 10 a.m. start time listed for Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25. Organizers say the most current ticketing and event details are posted through SPCRR and the East Bay Regional Parks registration system.