Best Holiday Train Rides Near the Bay Area & Northern California (2026 Dates + Tickets)

Yes, already! The best holiday train dates sell out well before Thanksgiving, and a few of these go on sale in the next couple of weeks. Here's every holiday train we know of across Northern California this year, with dates, when tickets go on sale, and a direct link to book.

1. 🎄 Train of Lights — Niles Canyon Railway (Niles/Fremont)

📅 Nov. 20–23, 28–29 · Dec. 2, 4–6, 9, 11–13, 16, 18–21, 23, 27–30 🎟️ Tickets go on sale October 3 at 10:00 AM — mark your calendar, this one moves fast 📍 Niles Canyon Railway, Fremont, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @nilescanyonrailway

2. 🎅 Holiday Lights Train — Roaring Camp from the Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)

📅 Nov. 27–28 · Dec. 5–6, 12–23 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 🔗 Book tickets · @roaringcamp

3. 🕎 Chanukah Train — Roaring Camp from the Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)

📅 December 10 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 🔗 Book tickets · @roaringcamp

4. 🎄 Holiday Tree Walk — Roaring Camp (Felton)

📅 Nov. 27–29 · Dec. 5–6, 12–13, 19–23 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @roaringcamp

5. 🎅 Santa Train: Jolly Journeys — Napa Valley Wine Train (Napa)

📅 Nov. 27–28 · Dec. 2–5, 9–12, 16–19, 21–23 🎟️ On sale now — tickets are limited, don't sit on this one 📍 Napa Valley Wine Train, Napa, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @winetrain

6. 🎄 Santa Train — Western Railway Museum (Suisun City)

📅 Usually weekends in December before Christmas — exact dates not yet posted 🎟️ Ticket sales TBD 📍 Western Railway Museum, Suisun City, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @westernrailwaymuseum

7. 🎅 Magical Christmas Train — River Fox Train (Sacramento)

📅 Nov. 27–29 · Dec. 1–24 (except Dec. 7) 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Sacramento River Fox Train, Sacramento, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @sacramentoriverfoxtrain

8. 🎄 Polar Express — California State Railroad Museum (Sacramento)

📅 Nov. 13–15, 20–24, 27–30 · Dec. 1–21 (except Tuesdays) 🎟️ Members had first access Sept. 14–17; on sale to the general public now (opened Sept. 18) 📍 California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @californiastaterailroadmuseum

9. 🎅 Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree Train — Skunk Train (Willits)

📅 Nov. 21–22, 27–29 · Dec. 2–6, 11–13, 15–23, 26–31 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Skunk Train, Willits, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @skunktrain

10. 🎄 Polar Express — Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (Jamestown)

📅 Nov. 27–29 · Dec. 4–6, 11–13, 18–20 🎟️ Members had first access Sept. 14–17; on sale to the general public now (opened Sept. 18) 📍 Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @railtown1897statehistoricpark

11. 🎅 Holiday Magic Train — Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

📅 Nov. 20–25, 27–29 · Dec. 2–23 (every day except Mon/Tues) · Dec. 26–30 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, near Yosemite, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @yosemite_steam_trains

12. 🎄 Christmas at the Ranch — Santa Margarita Ranch

📅 Every Friday–Sunday, Thanksgiving through Christmas 🎟️ On sale now 📍 Santa Margarita Ranch, Santa Margarita, CA 🔗 Book tickets · @santa.margarita.ranch

A few notes before you book:

• If a date range shows tickets "on sale now," don't wait — weekend dates and the days closest to Christmas go first.
• Members-only presales (Cal State Railroad Museum, Railtown 1897) are already open to everyone as of this posting.
• The Niles Canyon Train of Lights presale on October 3 is the one date on this list still ahead of us — set a reminder.

Know of a Northern California holiday train we missed? Reply or DM us @bayareakidsgo and we'll add it.

Dates and ticket availability are accurate as of publication but change fast this time of year — always confirm directly with each railway before you plan around it.