Are you looking to mix up your boring, average holiday activities? Do you want some excitement this holiday season?  If so, here is the perfect list of places for you to visit. Each location is full of fun events. These activities include a range of detailed train displays, astounding light shows and funky arts and crafts. If any of this interests you, then read on!

Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department Annual Holiday Train Garden

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the train garden display at the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department. This display includes eight different types of model locomotives, including an Amtrak passenger train, a circus train and a long freight train. The display is 24 by 10 feet long and features extremely detailed and decorated villages that range from different winter sceneries including the North Pole. People of all ages come to celebrate the holidays by attending this highly praised tradition in Ellicott City. The train garden has free admission and accepts donations as well as unwrapped toys for children in need. The event runs from Dec. 6 to Jan. 1, and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 8:30 pm. The garden is also open on Wednesday through Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Holiday Festival of Trains at Ellicott City Station

Old Ellicott City, also known as Main Street, is home to the historic B&O Railroad museum. Each year the museum celebrates their holiday festival of trains. This exquisite train display is a custom, hand built, 360-degree Lego model train created by The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Lego Train Club. The Lego train display is made completely of Legos and is fascinating to see in real life. The train station also offers another display of a new O-scale train model. The interactive models and displays are for people of all ages. If you are a train enthusiast, then check out the B&O’s holiday festival of trains. Admission to this event, which runs until Jan. 25, is free. The hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MICA Art Market

The MICA Art Market is held in the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Vendors sell artwork and all kinds of homemade items. All the craft sellers are students, staff and alumni of MICA. This event allows for the unique experience of being able to talk to the vendors and allows the students of MICA to showcase their work. The event will be held Dec. 10 and Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Visiting The National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree, located on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C., is lit up every year. It is followed by a celebration with celebrity guest appearances. Lighting and visiting the National Christmas Tree has been a tradition ever since 1923 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt made formal remarks during the lighting ceremony. A local model train club known as the National Capital Trackers supply model trains that circle the base of the tree and run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. There are 56 smaller trees, representing the 50 states, 5 territories, and Washington, D.C. The trees will also be a central tourist attraction this December. The trees are lit up from dusk to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1.