Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
A reservation-only train ride through Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa, with holiday lights and a free-to-enter Santa's Village at the station.
Plan your visit
- When
- Select dates and time slots, Nov. 27–Dec. 23, 2026.
- Where
- Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
- Admission
- $22–$37 per rider by time slot, plus a $5 online service fee per ticket. Children under 24 months are free and do not need a ticket. Park vehicle entry is additional.
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Quick answer
Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train runs November 27–December 23, 2026, at Irvine Regional Park in Orange. Reservations are required; online ticket sales open November 2 at 10 a.m. Train tickets cost $22–$37 by time slot, plus a $5 service fee per ticket. Children under 24 months ride free, and park vehicle entry costs extra. Santa’s Village is free to enter without a train ticket. See the official Christmas Train schedule and ticket details before booking. Details verified September 30, 2026.
What It Is
Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas Train takes families from the station through Irvine Regional Park to the North Pole for a visit with Santa, then returns through holiday lights and a Tunnel of Lights. The train runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 23, while Santa's Village continues through Dec. 30 and closes Dec. 24–25.
Why Go
It is one of Orange County's most established family holiday traditions, and the train ride builds the Santa visit into a complete outing rather than a quick photo line. Santa's Village adds cookie decorating, games, photo opportunities and other activities even for families who do not secure train tickets.
What to Know Before You Go
Tickets are sold online only beginning Monday, Nov. 2, at 10 AM, with a maximum of eight tickets per order. The train operates weekdays from 4–9 PM, weekends from 10 AM–9 PM, and daily from 10 AM–9 PM during the extended Dec. 14–23 schedule.
Tickets cost $22 from 10 AM–3 PM, $32 from 4–5 PM, $37 from 5–7 PM, $32 from 7–8 PM and $27 from 8–9 PM. A $5 online service fee applies to each train ticket.
Children under 24 months ride free without a ticket. Vehicle entry is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends and $7 on holidays; parking is free after 6 PM. Santa's Village is free to enter, but activity tickets cost $8 each or $100 for a book of 15.
The train runs rain or shine. Tickets are nonrefundable and tied to a specific date and time. Dogs and other animals are not allowed on the Christmas Train.
The Honest Take
The ticket price is only the start once parking, activity tickets and photos are added. The bigger issue is availability: popular time slots sell out, and there are no walk-up train tickets. Buy when sales open, dress for an open-air ride and arrive early enough to be in line within the first 30 minutes of the reserved hour.