Upcoming Events

Posted events, regular work sessions, open houses, and community events at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Regular Work Sessions

Usually the first Saturday and third Wednesday, 11 AM to 2 PM

Work sessions are a good time to meet volunteers, see what is being built or repaired, and ask about helping out. They may shift or be canceled during paid-admission fairground events, so check ahead if you are making a special trip.

Nevada County Fair Open House

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - Sunday, August 16, 2026

Featured

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

The model railroad runs throughout the Nevada County Fair, August 12 to 16, 2026, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Our volunteers operate trains across the On3 scale layout and answer questions about the history of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Visiting the Layout

Find us in the railroad building inside the fairgrounds. We open during fair hours, and our staffing can shift across the five days, so check back for confirmed times. You need a fair ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

About the Fair

The Nevada County Fair fills the fairgrounds with livestock exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food. The Nevada County Fairgrounds runs the event and sells tickets through its official site.

Check the Nevada County Fair for gate hours, daily schedules, and parking.

Draft Horse Classic

Thursday, September 17, 2026 - Sunday, September 20, 2026

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

The model railroad opens during the Draft Horse Classic & Harvest Fair, September 17 to 20, 2026, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The Classic draws the premier draft horse show in the western United States, with six arena shows across four days.

Visiting the Layout

Stop by the railroad building to watch the On3 scale layout run. Our open hours can vary across the weekend, so check back for confirmed times.

About the Event

Fairgrounds admission during the Draft Horse Classic & Harvest Fair is free. Arena show seats are ticketed and sell out, so book ahead through the official site.

Check the Nevada County Fairgrounds for the arena show schedule, ticket prices, and parking.

Country Christmas Faire

Friday, November 27, 2026 - Sunday, November 29, 2026

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

The model railroad opens during the Country Christmas Faire, November 27 to 29, 2026, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The Faire opens the holiday season with craft and gift vendors across the fairgrounds buildings.

Visiting the Layout

Bring the family to the railroad building to watch the On3 scale layout run in its winter setting. Our open hours can vary across the weekend, so check back for confirmed times.

About the Faire

The Nevada County Fairgrounds runs the Country Christmas Faire and posts vendor and admission details on its official site.

Check the Nevada County Fairgrounds for hours, admission, and parking.

Past Events

Events we have already attended this year. These dates have passed, but the festivals return each year.

Father's Day Bluegrass Festival 2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Sunday, June 21, 2026

Past event

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

The model railroad opens to visitors during the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, run by the California Bluegrass Association at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, June 18 to 21, 2026. This is our next scheduled open house for 2026.

Open House Hours

Saturday, June 20: 12:00 to 8:00 PM (confirmed)
Friday, June 19: hours to be announced

Stop by the railroad building between sets to watch the On3 scale layout run. Hours may change with festival activity, so check back before you visit.

About the Festival

The California Bluegrass Association runs a four-day festival with more than 30 bands, camping, workshops, and youth programs. The festival is a separate, ticketed event, so you need a festival ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

For the official schedule, lineup, ticketing, and camping details, see the California Bluegrass Association.

Strawberry Music Festival 2026

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Sunday, May 24, 2026

Past event

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

The model railroad opens to visitors during the Spring Strawberry Music Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, May 21 to 24, 2026. We opened during the festival this year, and we return for the 2026 Memorial Day weekend run.

Open House Hours

Our open hours run inside the festival and can shift with the music schedule, so check back for confirmed times before you visit. Look for the railroad building inside the fairgrounds.

About the Festival

Strawberry Music, Inc. has run this Memorial Day weekend festival since 1982, with multiple stages, camping, workshops, and family programs across four days. The festival is a separate, ticketed event, so you need a festival ticket to enter the fairgrounds and reach our display.

For the official lineup, schedule, ticketing, and camping details, see Strawberry Music, Inc.

Want to Get Involved?

We're always looking for volunteers to help with events, work sessions, and operations.

Become a Volunteer