12th Annual Holiday Train Show and other cheap things to do

Exhibit

12th Annual Holiday Train Show

Chug-a, chug-a, chug-a, chug-a, choo-choo! Stop by the 12th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central this weekend to relive your childhood as you marvel at the workings of a Lionel model train layout that travels through New York City, into the country and up to the North Pole. Walk around and peruse the artwork of Maira Kalman, author and illustrator of the children’s book “Next Stop Grand Central,” which will line the walls of the exhibit, open this Saturday through Feb. 23, 2014. (Opens Saturday, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; FREE, New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store, Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., 212-878-0106, mta.info/mta/museum/whatsnew.htm)

Shopping

Northside Holiday Market and McCarren Park ice rink

‘Tis the season for pop-up holiday shops, and the latest rendition is coming to Brooklyn, up north in Williamsburg with the first annual Northside Holiday Market at the McCarren Park Pool. Come for the dozens of local food, craft and gift vendors and stay for some ice skating at the outdoor rink. The holiday market will be open on weekends starting this Friday and running through Dec. 22. (Opens tomorrow, Fridays, 3-10 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, noon-10 p.m.; FREE, McCarren Park Pool, 766 Lorimer St., Williamsburg, northsideholiday market.com)