The Irvine Park Christmas Train runs November 27–December 23, 2026, followed by the Train of Lights from December 26–30, 2026. Each year, Irvine Park Railroad at Irvine Regional Park in Orange transforms into a holiday destination with thousands of lights, train rides and Santa’s Village activities.
Christmas Train tickets typically sell out quickly. 2026 tickets go on sale Monday, November 2 at 10:00 AM, so set a reminder if you want to ride the train to the North Pole and visit Santa.
Christmas Train, Train of Lights & Santa’s Village at a Glance
- Christmas Train: November 27–December 23 — train ride to the North Pole and a visit with Santa.
- Train of Lights: December 26–30 — one-mile holiday-light train ride with no Santa or North Pole stop.
- Santa’s Village: November 27–December 30, closed December 24–25 — free admission with both free and paid activities.
Find more winter holiday events in the Villa Park and Orange area.
Irvine Park Railroad Location & Parking
Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
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Park entrance per vehicle: $3 weekdays, $5 weekends and $7 on specified holidays. Walking or riding a bike into Irvine Regional Park is free.
Irvine Park Railroad is inside Irvine Regional Park at the far east end of Jamboree Road in Orange. The nearest major cross streets are Chapman Avenue and Jamboree Road. Holiday parking arrangements can change during busy periods, so check Irvine Park Railroad’s current event information before visiting.
Irvine Park Christmas Train 2026
Official Christmas Train Website
Dates: November 27–December 23, 2026
Weekdays: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
December 14–23: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Parking: Free after 6:00 PM
Christmas Train tickets go on sale Monday, November 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
2026 Christmas Train Ticket Prices
10:00 AM–3:00 PM: $22 per ticket
4:00–5:00 PM: $32 per ticket
5:00–6:00 PM: $37 per ticket
6:00–7:00 PM: $37 per ticket
7:00–8:00 PM: $32 per ticket
8:00–9:00 PM: $27 per ticket
Children under 24 months are free and do not require a ticket.
Christmas Train tickets must be purchased online before your visit and are valid only for the date and time shown on the ticket. The train takes guests to the North Pole, where children can visit Santa, before returning through the Tunnel of Lights. You must have a Christmas Train reservation and ride the train to the North Pole to visit Santa.
Irvine Park Train of Lights 2026
Official Train of Lights Website
Dates: December 26–30, 2026
Hours: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Train of Lights tickets go on sale Monday, December 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
2026 Train of Lights Ticket Prices
5:00–6:00 PM: $17 per ticket
6:00–7:00 PM: $15 per ticket
7:00–8:00 PM: $13 per ticket
8:00–9:00 PM: $11 per ticket
Children under 24 months are free and do not require a ticket.
Train of Lights tickets must be purchased online before your visit. The train travels a one-mile loop through holiday lights without stopping at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus are not available during the December 26–30 Train of Lights.
Santa’s Village 2026
Official Santa’s Village Website
Dates: November 27–December 30, 2026
Closed: December 24–25
Weekdays: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
December 14–30: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Santa’s Village is free to enter and does not require a reservation. Activity tickets are $8 each or $100 for a book of 15. Activity tickets cannot be used for the Christmas Train, and the number of tickets required varies by activity.
Santa photos are $15 for a 5×7 print, with additional prints of the same photo available for $10 each. A digital download is $20. Families may also use their own camera at no charge.
Santa’s Village Activities
Before or after a Christmas Train ride, families can enjoy a variety of holiday activities. Some require activity tickets while others are free. Paid activities may require one or more tickets depending on the attraction.
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Moon Bounce
- Craft Corner
- Cookie Decorating
- Ice Fishing
- Carnival Games
- Rudolph Racers
- Blizzard Ball
- Bank-a-Ball
- Mini Digger
- Holiday photo scenes
- Food and drinks
Free activities include holiday photo opportunities and select family activities. Food and drinks are available at the train depot and North Pole during the Christmas Train event.
Tips for Visiting the Irvine Park Christmas Train
- Buy Christmas Train tickets as soon as they go on sale. Popular dates and times can sell out quickly.
- Christmas Train tickets are sold online and are valid only for the reserved date and time.
- There is a maximum of eight Christmas Train tickets per transaction.
- Plan to be in the Christmas Train line within 30 minutes of your reserved hour.
- You must ride the Christmas Train to the North Pole to visit Santa.
- The Train of Lights is a separate post-Christmas event and does not include Santa.
- Santa’s Village is free to enter and does not require a reservation.
- Dress for cool evening temperatures. The event operates rain or shine.
- Check current parking and event information before leaving home, particularly on busy weekends.
Other Activities at Irvine Regional Park
If you plan to spend additional time at Irvine Regional Park, other nearby attractions include the Orange County Zoo, pony rides, regular Irvine Park Railroad train rides, bike rentals and paddle boats. Current published prices include $8 pony rides, $2 admission to the Orange County Zoo for ages 3 and older, $7 regular train rides and $22 per half-hour for paddle boats. Hours and availability can vary, so check with each attraction before visiting.
Irvine Park Christmas Train FAQs
When is the Irvine Park Christmas Train in 2026?
The Irvine Park Christmas Train runs November 27 through December 23, 2026.
When do 2026 Christmas Train tickets go on sale?
Tickets go on sale Monday, November 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Popular dates and times can sell out quickly.
How much are Irvine Park Christmas Train tickets?
2026 tickets range from $22 to $37 per person depending on the reserved time. Children under 24 months are free and do not require a ticket.
Do you have to ride the Christmas Train to see Santa?
Yes. A Christmas Train reservation is required to ride to the North Pole and visit Santa.
What is the difference between the Christmas Train and Train of Lights?
The Christmas Train runs before Christmas and includes a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa. The Train of Lights runs December 26–30 and travels through the holiday lights without a Santa visit or North Pole stop.
Is Santa’s Village free?
Yes. Admission to Santa’s Village is free and no reservation is required, although many individual activities require paid activity tickets.