Santa Cruz Holiday Train Lights

November 29-December 23, 2024

60 mins

HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN

November 29-30, December 7-8, 14-23, 2024

 A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. 

Train times: 5, 6:30 & 8 p.m. 

Roaring Camp Railroads
5401 Graham Hill Rd.
Felton, CA
$38.11-68.85, roaringcamp.com

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
roaringcamp.com 

A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Visit with Santa and enjoy a sing-along.

HOLIDAY TREE WALK

Forest Train 75 mins
$52.95

November 29 - December 1, December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 2024

Get in the holiday spirit by bringing family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cocoa while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter themed activities.  At the summit, guests may sip hot cider and delight in viewing a tree-lined walk of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Trees are provided by Patchen California Christmas Tree Farm, Los Gatos. Toys for Tots, toys will be collected.

CHANUKAH TRAIN

January 2, 2025

Share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Santa Cruz celebrates the holidays with a variety of train experiences. During November and December guests enjoy the night-time holiday lights train. Youngsters and adults can also enjoy the daytime Holiday Walk with the steam train ride up to Bear Mountain. And to round out this exciting season there's also a Chanukah Train.

NEW YEAR’S TRAIN

December 26-31, 2024

 Bring in the new year aboard the New Years Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2024 right.

This magical lights, and cool nights experience departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Choo, Choo, Santa Claus is coming to town by Train! Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart! There's no place more vibrant and alive than the Beach Boardwalk and streets of Santa Cruz at night. Go join the holiday celebration and lend your voice!

If you've never ridden the Steam Train at Roaring Camp Railroads, we at SeeCalifornia.com highly recommend this experience any time of year -- but why not try it during the holidays? The train chugs its way up to Bear Mountain in the redwood forests near Santa Cruz. The beauty of the trees and delicious scent really puts you in the mood for celebrating the holidays. When you disembark at the top of the mountain for a specified amount of time you are invited to sip beverages and wander through the woods to see the decorated holiday trees of joy.

Please remember that events are subject to change. Always check before going. Happy Holidays from SeeCalifornia.com!