What to KnowChristmas TrainIrvine Park RailroadOrangeTrain tickets go on sale Nov. 3Nov. 28-Dec. 23, 2025Santa’s Village is free to enter and does not require reservations; there is a parking fee at Irvine Regional Park
Orange may go awesomely orange in September and October, due to all of the delightful pumpkins festooning the Irvine Park Railroad pumpkin patch, but things get mighty twinkly, and green and red, when late November arrives.
That’s because the adorable attraction embraces the holiday spirit, and all of its glad-hearted glitter, as Thanksgiving concludes and the yuletide season starts in sparkly fashion.
At the heart of the destination’s holiday doings? It’s the Christmas Train, a popular tradition for Orange County families and people near and far.
Reservations are required for this popular offering, so be sure to book your spot soon. You can do so beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 3, with a pre-queue beginning at 9 o’clock.
If you don’t book the train, there are other uplifting offerings at the sweet spot, including Santa’s Village. Reservations are not needed, and you can enter it for free (though parking is additional at Irvine Regional Park).
Activities are available for a fee, including the vroom-vroom Rudolph Racers, Ice Fishing, and the Craft Corner; check the full and festive line-up of pursuits here.
The railroad will turn 30 in just a few months, which means that generations of Southern Californians have found nostalgic joy at the upbeat attraction over the course of several holiday seasons.