‘Tis the season to book Christmas train rides (yeah, before Halloween!). I’m thrilled to say the holiday trains are chugging along again. Some of our favorites are already sold out, but all hope is not lost for those of us who like to put on Christmas jammies and ride a holiday train full of festive lights and sweet treats. Buy tickets now.
The holiday season is only beginning so we hope to add a few for those who are happier to keep it low-key and local as details are announced.
Bay Area Christmas Trains in 2025
Santa Train Jolly Journeys, Napa Valley
For just under two hours, you can be transported by games, sing-alongs, and a fun cast of characters. Destination: the North Pole. I took my family for a ride on the Santa Train and we had a great time. The kids enjoyed the warm chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate while singing Christmas carols. Taking a picture with Santa while on board a train, how cool is that? Book your tickets early because they sell out every time!
When: Evening between Nov. 28 and Dec. 23 with departures at 6:10 pm. Arrive at 4 pm for Santa photos at the station.
Price: Prices start at $80 per ticket for children and $100 per adult.
Location: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa
Magical Christmas Train, West Sacramento
Tickets are on sale now.
Yippee! While not exactly in the Bay Area, this special one-hour journey with Mrs. Claus takes place on a festive train car that drops you off in Santa’s village where you can meet the big guy and snap some photos. You’ll enjoy some sweet treats and have a pretty good time. Read all about the Magical Christmas Train.
When: The Magical Christmas Train is offered multiple times on weekends beginning on Nov. 25 through Dec. 16 and then daily from Dec. 18 to 23. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early.
Price: Tickets 3+: Start at $75 for a one hour ride | Kids 2 and under: $12
Location: 18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento, CA
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train, Santa Cruz
Tickets are on not yet on sale.
Each ticket includes a one-hour train ride through the streets of Santa Cruz; music; hot cider; a holiday sing-along, live music, $10 in arcade credit, and Santa Claus in Santa Cruz. Look for a North Pole mailbox just outside of the entrance to Neptune’s Kingdom.
When: Nov. 28-29, Dec. 6-7, 13-23, departing at 5 pm and 6:30 pm.
Price: Standard canopy cars are about $36 child (age 2 to 12); $50 adult over 13; First class costs more. Kids under 2 are free.
See website for details >
Chanukah Train, Santa Cruz
Tickets are not yet on sale. Dates, TBD.
Share the light of Hanukkah aboard Roaring Camp Railroad’s Chanukah Train! Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on a one-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of shining lights and Chanukah decorations. Share traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz while listening to stories, playing dreidel, and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea.
When: Dates still TBD. For last season, it was January 2, 2025, Two rides: 4:45 pm menorah lighting & 5 pm departure | 6:15 menorah lighting & 6:15 pm departure.
Price: Usually about $32 per child; $45 per adult.
Website for details and booking >
Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp, Felton
Tickets are not yet on sale.
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing family and friends to ride Roaring Camp’s daytime steam train through the redwoods to Bear Mountain. At the summit, guests may sip hot cider and greet Santa Claus — and view a tree-lined walk of decorated holiday trees. The train ride is an hour and the experience includes an additional 15 minutes of activities.
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 with multiple daytime departures; 75-minute ride
Price: Standard canopy cars are about $27 child (age 2 to 12); $42 adult over 13 last year.
See website for details >
Niles Canyon Train of Lights (Niles)
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 10 am.
The Train of Lights can be picked up at Niles Canyon (Fremont) or at Sunol, providing an hour-long round-trip ride, filled with music and lights. The train cars are vintage and open-air, so bundle up! Read more about the Train of Lights experience from an East Bay mom >
When: Various days from Nov. 17 through Dec. 29.
Price: 2024 prices are $40 for coach seats, for everyone ages 3 and up. Other options for nicer carriages or renting out the caboose for a group cost extra.
Locations: Niles Station: 37029 Mission Blvd. Fremont, CA | Sunol Station 6 Kilkare Road, Sunol, CA
Polar Express at California Railroad Museum, Sacramento
Presale tickets to members were available September 8. Public sale begins September 23.
Enjoy hot chocolate and yummy cookies as you ride along with many of the story’s characters such as the Train Conductor, the Dancing Waiters, and a ghostly Hobo. Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf — Santa himself — will come on board to give each passenger a silver sleigh bell, the “first gift of Christmas”. The ride is about 60 minutes, but you may board early per your ticketed time. Our contributor Karen reviewed the Sacramento Christmas Train here >>
When: Various dates between Nov. 16 and Dec. 22, with multiple times each day: 3:30 pm, 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm.
Price: Under 2, Free; Paid tickets start at $80 per person.
Location: Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station, 930 Front St, Sacramento
Pro-tip: Get on the mailing list to have access to early purchase tickets before August 26, 2024.
More Bay Area Christmas Train Rides
We’ll keep our eyes open for more holiday trains that don’t require advanced ticket purchase and update this information when we know!
- New this year: at Filoli Historic House & Gardens: Thistlewyck: an enchanting village in the Redwoods, Thistlewyck will feature miniature trains, fairy houses, an Elf Emporium, Post Office, and the Train Depot Toy Shop. The event includes a scavenger hunt activity for kids, which includes free hot cocoa and a special gift from the Trailhead Toy Shop. $$$
- On certain December weekends from 11 am to 7 pm, the steam trains in Berkeley offer Christmas cheer. There’s no way to buy tickets in advance for the sweet little steam train through Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills.
- From mid-Nov. to early Jan., 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley hosts a sweet weekend festival with ice skating and a trackless holiday train, timing TBD.
- The Jolly Trolly is included with admission to Fairyland and Fairy Winterland.
- The Train at Oakland Zoo’s Adventure Landing is an upcharge to the regular admission prices to the zoo or Glowfari.
We also have a train lovers’ guide to the East Bay Area >>
Find more holiday adventures in our East Bay Christmas Activity Guide when the season is right.
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