Christmas at Irvine Park Railroad 2026: Christmas Train, Train of Lights & Santa's Village
Looking for a little extra Christmas magic in Orange County? Irvine Park Railroad's annual holiday celebration transforms the train station area of Irvine Regional Park into a festive Christmas destination filled with twinkling lights, holiday activities, and plenty of opportunities for family fun.
There are three different experiences to enjoy during the holiday season: the Christmas Train, where children can visit Santa at the North Pole; the Train of Lights, a festive nighttime ride through thousands of Christmas lights; and Santa's Village, where families can enjoy holiday games, crafts, treats, and photo opportunities.
Whether you're planning a visit with little ones or just want to enjoy some Christmas lights, here's what to know about visiting Irvine Park Railroad this holiday season.
Christmas at Irvine Park Railroad 2026
Location: Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Christmas Season: November 27 – December 30, 2026
Christmas Train: November 27 – December 23, 2026
Santa's Village: November 27 – December 30, 2026
Train of Lights: December 26 – December 30, 2026
Park Entrance Fee: $3 weekdays, $5 weekends, $7 holidays per vehicle. Parking is free after 6 p.m.
Official Website: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/
Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad
November 27 – December 23, 2026
The Christmas Train is one of Irvine Park Railroad's most popular holiday traditions. Families can climb aboard a festive train for a ride through Irvine Regional Park to the North Pole, where children get to meet Santa Claus, share their Christmas wish lists, and take photos.
After visiting Santa, passengers hop back aboard the train for a ride through the park, enjoying colorful Christmas decorations and the magical Tunnel of Lights along the way.
2026 Christmas Train Hours:
- Weekdays: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Weekends: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- December 14–23: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Christmas Train Tickets:
Tickets are sold online only and must be purchased in advance. Prices vary by departure hour:
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: $22
- 4 p.m.: $32
- 5 p.m.: $37
- 6 p.m.: $37
- 7 p.m.: $32
- 8 p.m.: $27
Children under 24 months ride free and do not need a ticket. An additional online service fee applies. Reservations are required, and tickets frequently sell out. Regular train tickets, coupons, discounts, and promotional tickets cannot be used for this special event.
Visiting Santa: All guests must ride the Christmas Train to visit Santa. Personal photos are welcome at no charge. Professional photos are also available for purchase.
Official tickets and information: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/christmas-train/
Train of Lights at Irvine Park Railroad
December 26 – December 30, 2026
Keep the Christmas spirit going after the holiday with Irvine Park Railroad's Train of Lights!
This special nighttime train ride takes visitors through thousands of sparkling Christmas lights and festive displays along a one-mile loop through Irvine Regional Park.
Unlike the Christmas Train, the Train of Lights does not stop at the North Pole, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will not be available. Instead, the experience is all about enjoying the illuminated holiday displays from aboard the train.
Santa's Village will also be open during the Train of Lights dates, so families can enjoy the holiday activities, games, crafts, and decorations before or after their ride.
2026 Train of Lights Hours:
- December 26–30: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Train of Lights Tickets:
Advance reservations are required. Tickets are available online and are priced according to the departure hour:
- 5 p.m.: $17
- 6 p.m.: $15
- 7 p.m.: $13
- 8 p.m.: $11
Children under 24 months ride free and do not need a ticket. Tickets go on sale December 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. Regular train tickets, coupons, and discounts are not valid for the Train of Lights.
Official tickets and information: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/train-of-lights/
Santa's Village at Irvine Park Railroad
November 27 – December 30, 2026
You don't need a train reservation to enjoy the holiday festivities at Irvine Park Railroad! Santa's Village is free to enter and offers plenty of Christmas fun for families, even if you aren't planning to ride either of the special holiday trains.
The village is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights and festive displays, with holiday-themed activities, games, crafts, food, and photo opportunities.
Some of the activities include:
- Mini Diggers: Kids ages 5 and up can enjoy four minutes of digging time. Two activity tickets per ride.
- Moon Bounce: Ten minutes of bouncing fun. One ticket per person.
- Cookie Decorating: Decorate your own holiday cookies. One ticket per person.
- Ice Fishing: A fun holiday fishing game where every player wins a prize. Two tickets per person.
- Carnival Games: Holiday-themed games with prizes.
- Rudolph Racers: A fun ride for children ages 5–7. One ticket per person.
- Blizzard Ball: A holiday game with prizes.
- Craft Corner: Make your own Christmas tree ornament. One ticket per person.
- Photo Opportunities: Festive Christmas scenes and picture spots throughout the village.
Food and snacks are also available, including hot chocolate and coffee.
Santa's Village Hours:
- November 27: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Weekdays: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Weekends: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- December 14–30: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- Closed December 24 and 25.
Santa's Village Admission & Activity Tickets:
Admission to Santa's Village is free. Activities require tickets, which can be purchased when you arrive.
- Individual activity tickets: $8 each
- Book of 15 tickets: $100 (a $20 savings)
Activity tickets cannot be used for the Christmas Train or Train of Lights.
Official information: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/santas-village/
Tips for Visiting Irvine Park Railroad for Christmas
- Purchase train tickets early. The Christmas Train and Train of Lights require advance reservations, and individual time slots can sell out.
- You don't need train tickets for Santa's Village. Families can enjoy the lights, decorations, games, crafts, and food without booking a train ride.
- Plan for additional activity costs. Santa's Village is free to enter, but activities require separate tickets.
- Remember the park entrance fee. Irvine Regional Park charges a vehicle entrance fee, separate from the Christmas activities.
- Dress for the weather. Both special train rides operate rain or shine, and the trains are not fully enclosed. Bring jackets or rain gear if needed.
- Allow extra time for parking. Holiday events can draw large crowds, particularly on weekends and closer to Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need reservations to visit Santa's Village?
No. Santa's Village is free to enter and does not require reservations. You can purchase activity tickets when you arrive.
Do you have to ride the Christmas Train to see Santa?
Yes. Visiting Santa at the North Pole is part of the Christmas Train experience, and all guests must have a Christmas Train reservation.
What is the difference between the Christmas Train and Train of Lights?
The Christmas Train takes visitors to the North Pole to meet Santa and enjoy the holiday decorations. The Train of Lights is a separate nighttime ride through thousands of Christmas lights along a one-mile loop. The Train of Lights does not stop to visit Santa.
Can you visit Santa's Village without riding the train?
Yes! Santa's Village is open to everyone, even if you don't have tickets for either train ride.
Is Santa's Village free?
Yes. Admission is free, although activity tickets are required for games, rides, crafts, and other activities, and there is a fee for parking when you enter the park.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome in other areas of Irvine Regional Park when kept on a six-foot leash, but they are not allowed on the Christmas Train.
What happens if it rains?
The Christmas Train and Train of Lights operate rain or shine. The trains are not fully enclosed, so visitors should bring appropriate rain gear.
When is Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas celebration open?
The 2026 Christmas season begins November 27. Santa's Village runs through December 30, while the Christmas Train ends December 23 and the Train of Lights runs December 26–30. Santa's Village is closed December 24 and 25.
