Christmas Train tickets must be purchased in advance of riding the Christmas Train and can be purchased online only beginning November 4th, 2024 at 10:00 am. When tickets sell out for a specific date and time, there will be no additional tickets for sale (for that date and time).

On the night that you will be riding the Christmas Train, you will get in line and board the train at within 30 minutes of your ticket time. For example, if your tickets are for 4:00 – 5:00pm, you must be in line for the train by 4:30pm. The train will stop at the North Pole where all passengers will exit the train to visit Santa and take a photo with him.

Up to 8 tickets may be purchased in one transaction if there are sufficient tickets available for purchase for that time slot.

Christmas Train tickets go on sale November 4th, 2024 at 10:00 am and can be purchased online only. Tickets cannot be purchased in person or over the phone. Once tickets are sold out, tickets will not be available for that specific date or time.

Tickets will be emailed directly to you with your order confirmation. Tickets must be presented to board the train. You have the option to print the tickets or show them on your mobile device. If you purchased the tickets as part of a group, and you will arrive at the park at different times, we recommend that you print the tickets and give them to the members of your group prior to arriving at the park.

The train departs the train station several times during each hour. Once in line, you will board the train for the ride to the North Pole where the train will drop off all passengers to visit Santa and take a photo with him. Passengers will then board the train again back to Santa’s Village.

Yes. The Christmas Train will sell out. Once tickets are sold out, you will be unable to purchase tickets to ride the Christmas Train.

Yes. Christmas Train tickets must be purchased in advance to visit Santa and to take a photo with him.

During past holiday seasons, visitors expressed their desire to purchase Christmas Train tickets online to guarantee that they would be able to ride the train on a specific date and at a specific time without having to wait in an excessive line. We listened and visitors can purchase tickets online. The one-time $10.00 online ticket fee (per order) is to cover the cost to sell tickets online. This fee has never increased.

A certain number of tickets are sold for each hour (ex. 5:00 – 6:00, 6:00 – 7:00). We ask that you are in line to board the train within 30 minutes of your reservation. For example, if your tickets are for 4:00 to 5:00 PM, you must be in line for the train by 4:30 PM. The train departs several times during that hour and you are guaranteed to board the train any time within that hour. Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control, you may board the train just past the hour for which you purchased tickets.

No. Tickets for the Christmas Train are different tickets and must be purchased online and in advance of when you would like to visit. Regular train tickets, discounts, coupons, and special promotions are not valid for Christmas Train tickets.

No. Dogs and other animals are not allowed on the Christmas Train. Dogs are welcome in other areas of Irvine Regional Park while kept on a 6′ leash.

The Christmas Train runs rain or shine. Irvine Park Railroad does our very best to make sure most areas are covered from inclement weather. We recommend bringing umbrellas or rain jackets as the train is not fully enclosed.

Should the Christmas Train close for any unforeseen reason, you will be contacted by email on the day that you are scheduled to ride the Christmas Train.

Tickets are valid only for the date and time your purchased. Christmas Train tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable to another day or timeslot. Unused Christmas Train tickets may be exchanged for activity tickets at the train station for equal value of the unused Christmas Train ticket(s).

No. Please check the train ride page for the regular train hours of operation for the month of December.

No. Irvine Park Railroad does not sell Christmas trees.

No. Private parties are not allowed at the Christmas Train.

For private parties, consider reserving a Party Pavilion located adjacent to the train station and Christmas Train area. Additionally, other locations inside of the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Picnic benches around the train station are reserved for visitors who purchase food from the snack bar.

Yes. There is a full-service snack bar located at the train station that serves both hot and cold food.

Yes. Please check this page for hours.

No. Professional and/or staged photography and/or videography is prohibited at the Christmas Train.