Last night my family and I had the opportunity to check out the Christmas Train at Irvine Park. The Christmas Train is an enchanting night ride through a beautifully decorated Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs approximately every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole. Children can share their wish list with Santa and have their photo taken with him too. Be sure to bundle up, as while waiting in line it does get a little chilly, but hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn are available.
Here are some of the dates and times it is available:
Train admission: $10.00 per person — Children age 24 months and younger ride free.
| 2011 Dates | Hours | ||
| December 2nd, 3rd and 4th | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Activities open at 4:00 pm. | ||
| December 9th, 10th and 11th | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Activities open at 4:00 pm. | ||
| December 15th – 16th | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Activities open at 4:00 pm. | ||
| December 17th and 18th | 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm Activities open at 1:00 pm. | ||
| December 19th through 23rd | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Activities open at 3:00 pm. |
Christmas Train tickets may be purchased to board the train during a specific time period. You may get in line and board the train at any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets.
While waiting for your boarding time, there are many activities including decorating cookies, Santa jump house, story time with Mrs. Claus, Christmas carnival games, Christmas coloring corner and more for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village located next to the train station.
SPECIAL EVENT!!!!
Thursday (December 8th), Irvine Park Railroad will support KTLA Channel 5 and Henry DiCarlo to collect new toys for the Salvation Army. They will offer FREE Christmas Train rides 4:30am-7:30am & activities 8am-10am. Coffee and hot chocolate will also be free. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos; visitors should bring their personal camera. Bring a new and unwrapped toy to the train station, receive a free Sprinkles cupcake.
The regular train will open at 10:00 am Thursday morning; the night Christmas Train is closed Thursday evening and opens again on Friday, December 9th. Through December 19th, each person who brings a new and unwrapped toy to the train station will receive one (1) regular train ticket.
Disclaimer: We were invited to preview the event in order to share with our dedicated readers.
