The Irvine Park Christmas Train will be open starting Friday, November 29 and run through Monday, December 23, 2024. The Train of Lights will be open starting Thursday, December 26 – Monday, December 30, 2024
Train tickets sell out right when they go on sale so be sure to set a reminder for when the tickets first go on sale (dates and times below).
Every year, the Irvine Park Railroad at Irvine Regional Park in Orange transforms the grounds into a Winter Wonderland. The train is donned with Christmas decorations, and Santa’s Village comes alive with festive activities for the whole family.
Guests will travel by train to the North Pole where boys and girls will meet with Santa and tell him how good they’ve been all year and all the goodies they have on their Christmas lists. After a visit with Santa, guests will climb back aboard the train and travel through the Tunnel of Lights back to the main train station to enjoy more fun at Santa’s Village.
Find all winter holiday events in the area.
Irvine Regional Park Christmas Train, Train of Lights & Santa’s Village
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Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869
Park Entrance per vehicle: Weekdays – $3, Weekends – $5, Holidays – $7
It’s free to walk or ride a bike into Irvine Park.
During holiday seasons and special event times, Santiago Canyon College located outside the entrance to the park has overflow parking on the weekends for a fee.
Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park at the far east end of Jamboree Road in the foothills of Orange. The nearest major cross streets are Chapman Avenue and Jamboree Road.
Irvine Park Christmas Train
Date/Times
Friday, November 29 – Monday, December 23, 2024
Weekdays 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Weekends 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Christmas Train Tickets are available Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10AM!
Tickets sell out quick so set a reminder for November 4th.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm hours: $20.00 per ticket
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm hour: $30.00 per ticket
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm hour: $35.00 per ticket
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm hour: $35.00 per ticket
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm hour: $30.00 per ticket
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm hour: $25.00 per ticket
*Christmas Train tickets must be purchased online prior to your visit. Tickets are only valid for the date and time shown on your purchased ticket.
Irvine Park Train of Lights
Date/Times
Thursday, December 26 – Monday, December 30, 2024
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Train of Lights Tickets are available Monday, December 9, 2024 at 10AM!
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm hour: $16.00 per ticket
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm hour: $14.00 per ticket
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm hour: $12.00 per ticket
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm hour: $10.00 per ticket
*Train of Lights tickets must be purchased online prior to your visit. Tickets are only valid for the date and time shown on your purchased ticket.
Santa’s Village
Date/Times
Friday, November 29 – Monday, December 30, 2024
Closed December 24th & 25th
Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
December 16 – December 30: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Activity Tickets: $8.00 each
Book of 15 activity tickets: $100.00 ($20.00 savings)
(Activity tickets cannot be used to ride the Christmas Train)
Photos With Santa: $12 for each 5×7 photo or digital download (or use your own camera)
Santa’s Village Activities
Before or after your trip to the North Pole, enjoy the many activities at Santa’s Village. Most activities will require 1 ticket per person. Kids can jump for 10 minutes in the holiday-themed moon bounce, and kids ages 5 – 7 can climb aboard the Rudolph Racers. Stop by the cookie booth to decorate your own Christmas cookie and enjoy eating the sweet treat. Kids will enjoy Ice Fishing, Blizzard Ball, and Carnival Games where everyone wins a prize.
There are free activities in Santa’s Village, too. Guests are invited to join Mrs. Claus for story time and to sing songs together. Take a seat at the coloring corner and choose a picture (or two) to color and take home. There are also holiday themed photo stands throughout Santa’s Village where families can capture memories of their winter fun at the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train.
There is a snack bar at the train depot and a snack shack at the North Pole for visitors to purchase food and drinks during their visit.
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Moon Bounce
- Cookie Decorating
- Ice Fishing
- Carnival Games
- Rudolph Racers
- Blizzard Ball
- Craft Corner
- Instagrammable Picture Scenes
- Food & Drinks
Tips
- In order to visit the North Pole and see Santa and you must take the Christmas Train.
- The Train of Lights which starts the day after Christmas does NOT include a visit to the North Pole to see Santa.
- Tickets sell out fast starting in early November so set a reminder for the date and time. If you miss the Christmas Train try the Train of Lights which go on sale in early December.
- Consider parking outside the park and walking or riding in to avoid a parking fee and the long car lines to get in and out of the park.
- Save money by eating prior to arriving.
- Santa’s Village is free to visit and no tickets are required to enter. There are a few free activities plus the amazing amount of festive holiday lights and instagrammable photo opportunities.
Other Activities at Irvine Regional Park
If you plan on spending the day at the park, enjoy one of these other activities located near the Christmas Train:
Pony Rides: $5 per child – Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Orange County Zoo: $2 per person ages 3 and up. Weekends 10:00 – 4:30; Weekdays 10:00 – 3:30
Wheel Fun Rentals: 10:00 – 4:00 Bike rentals $10 – $40 per hour; Paddle Boats $20 per half-hour
More Holiday Events: