Trains at NorthPark Introduces New Features to Enhance Holiday Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House

The Trains at NorthPark returns for its 38th year as a signature fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, introducing several new features designed to enhance the visitor experience while supporting families traveling to Dallas for critical medical care for their children. Co-chaired by Vanessa Fuquay and Elizabeth Anderson, this year's event features Art on the Rails, an all-new auction component where enthusiasts can bid on a four-car train set hand-painted by renowned reflectionist artist JD Miller of Samuel Lynne Galleries.

Another significant addition is Choo-Choo Tales, the inaugural theatrical story-time experience produced in collaboration with Dallas Children's Theater and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. The short play, written by recent Booker T. graduate Esau Price and directed by DCT Artistic Director Emily Ernst, will feature weekly live performances in NorthCourt. This year's Sensory Hours, presented by Children's Health, will take place Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. and Sundays from 12-2 p.m., providing a welcoming environment for guests with sensory sensitivities.

Presented by Bank of Texas for the 17th consecutive year, The Trains at NorthPark will run from November 15, 2025, through January 4, 2026, with the 2025 season aiming to raise more than $1.1 million to provide a home-away-from-home for families with sick children at no charge. The event supports families from across Texas, the United States, and around the world who travel to Dallas for medical treatment. For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and its mission, visit https://www.rmhdallas.org.

The new features represent an expansion of the event's community engagement and accessibility, building on its 38-year tradition of bringing joy and comfort during the holiday season while supporting critical services for families in medical crisis. The integration of artistic elements through the auction and theatrical performances creates additional revenue streams while enhancing the cultural value of the annual tradition.