I am so excited for the real holiday season to begin! Yes, I know Halloween is a holiday but my most favorite time of year starts the day after Halloween because then we get to countdown how many days until Christmas!
One of our favorite annual traditions this time of year is to visit Irvine Park Railroad for their Christmas Train! Have you been before? It’s open 7 days a week from December 1-December 23rd and it’s a family event that’s not to be missed! It’s also so popular that it sells out very quickly! (Tickets for the Christmas Train may only be purchased in advance, online and are $12.00 per person. Children 24 months and younger are free. Click here to check the calendar and grab your tickets now!
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas train will take you on an enchanting night ride through the historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs from the brightly-lit train station and drops passengers off at the North Pole. 
Children can share their wish list with Santa (print out a free wish list to fill out and bring to Santa here.) and have their photo taken with him too. 
In addition to an option to purchase a Santa photo taken by Irvine Park Railroad, you may also take pictures with your own personal camera.
After visiting with Santa, you’ll hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to Santa’s Village.
Santa’s Village is a fun area that includes a variety of festive activities, some require tickets, while others are free.
Santa’s Village Activities include:
- Ice Fishing
- Cookie Decorating
- Carnival Games
- Moon Bounce (1 ticket per person for 10 minutes of jumping time.)
- Picture Stands (free)
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus (free)
- Coloring Corner (free)
- Frosty’s Maze (free)
- Great Food (prices may vary)
Santa’s Village is located at the train station and is free to enter. Please note that if you were unable to purchase tickets to ride the Christmas Train, you are still able to come out and enjoy these fun holiday activities.
Please note: Regular train tickets, tokens, complimentary tickets, discount tickets, and/or coupons are not valid for the Christmas Train. All customers must ride the train to visit Santa Claus.
I’m also hosting a giveaway for one of my lucky winners to win a great package including 4 Christmas Train Tickets, 6 Activity Tickets, and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Double Surrey Bike Rental. To enter, go to the Rafflecopter below and follow the instructions. Good luck everyone!
Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park, which has a fee to enter. Prices are as follows:
Weekdays $3.00 per vehicle
Weekends $5.00 per vehicle
Holidays $7.00 per vehicle
Parking FREE after 5:00 pm
I can’t wait to take my kids there will be our first time.
We love the Christmas Train and would love to go again!
Never ridden the christmas train, would be most looking forward to meeting Santa and the christmas train decorated!
I’d love for my twins to experience the train ? ride during the Holidays! I think they would be so excited to see all of the decorations and Santa!
Yes, I have ridden. It was fun
We love the activities there, especially ice fishing.
We’ve ridden the Christmas Train a few times. It’s one our favorite family traditions since having little ones.
Once, last year! It was so gorgeous!
I have not rode on the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas train. I am excited to see the lights. Thanks for the opportunity!
We’ve been once and love it
We’ve never been, but it looks like a very memorable event for the entire family!
This looks so fun! We’re new to the area and are loving starting new traditions!
not yet, hoping to experience it with the family
I’ve never been but would love to take my son this year!
I’ve never been to Irvine park nor ridden the train. I’d love to take my kids! It looks magical!
It would be our first time there, would be excited to see how much fun my 2 year old would have.
This would be our very first trip with our little one. A chance to make new memories.
We have never been on the Christmas train before, our son just turned 5 and we thought this was the perfect time to start this tradition. He is really starting to understand about santa and all the joy that comes with the season. I’m very much excited about seeing eyes light up when he gets off that train at the North Pole.
My 2 year old would love this so much! We have never done the Christmas train before. Definitely need to put this on the list!!
Last year I wanted to get tickets last minute since I’d never been but they were already sold out! Hopefully my family is able to go this year!!
We have been once when the boys were younger. It was so nice!
We did it 2 years ago and we loved it!
We have never road the xmas train, but my four kids would love it. I hope we win. ?❄⛄?
We would love to try this!
love to win
I think we took the Xmas train when my daughter was a baby. I’d like to see her reaction now at 11! (And her younger sister’s!)
Never been! My boys would love it!