Short answer: Pennsylvania has one of the densest Christmas-train scenes in the country. The best all-round pick is Strasburg Rail Road’s Santa’s Paradise Express (steam, Santa in every car, the most dates). The best budget pick is Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway’s Santa Claus Specials (from a low published starting fare, 80 minutes through the gorge). The most atmospheric pick is East Broad Top’s Christmas in Coal Country (coal-stove-heated historic cars, Santa gift for every child). Book the ride you want as soon as you decide — Strasburg’s Christmas trains are the park’s busiest season and sell out fast.
At a glance: 9 Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania compared
| Ride | Location | 2026 dates | Duration | Published price (2026) | Best for |
| Santa’s Paradise Express — Strasburg | Ronks (Lancaster County) | Sat–Sun Nov 21–Dec 20 + Fri Nov 27 + daily Dec 21–Christmas Eve | 45 min | $47.70 adult / $37.10 child online; $45/$35 cash | Best all-rounder, families |
| Night Before Christmas — Strasburg | Ronks | Fri–Sun nights Nov 21–Dec 20 + Dec 21–23 | 45 min | $47.70 / $37.10 online; $45/$35 cash | Evening storytelling, families |
| Santa Claus Limited (sensory-friendly) — Strasburg | Ronks | Wed–Fri Dec 2–18 | 45 min | $42.40 / $31.80 online; $40/$30 cash | Sensory-sensitive, toddlers, grandparents |
| Santa Claus Specials — Lehigh Gorge | Jim Thorpe | Nov 27–Dec 24: Nov 27–30; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–24 | ~80 min | Standard Coach $25 adult / $9 child (3–12); Crown $27/$10; Vista Dome $35/$21; First Class Lounge $54/$45 | Budget, gorge scenery |
| Christmas in Coal Country — East Broad Top | Orbisonia / Rockhill Furnace | Fri–Sun Nov 27–Dec 20 | 1 hour | Coach $28 adult (13+) / $22 child (2–12); Caboose $32 / $26; under 2 free | Atmosphere, rail fans |
| Santa’s Polar Bear Express — Colebrookdale | Boyertown | Nov 21–22, 27–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–24 | 1 hour | From $55 | Secret Valley, families |
| ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas — Colebrookdale | Boyertown | Dec 11 & 18 (5:00 PM) | 90 min | From $65 | Pajama ride, story lovers |
| Winter Wonderland Dinner — Colebrookdale | Boyertown | Dec 4, 7–10, 14–17 (6:00 PM) | 2 hours | From $65–$102 | Date night, dinner train |
| Santa trains — New Hope Railroad | New Hope (Bucks County) | Value Nov 15, 16, 22–26; Off-peak Dec 8–11, 15–18, 22, 23, 29, 30; Peak Nov 28–30, Dec 1, 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28; Christmas Eve Dec 24 | Varies by ride | Dynamic pricing — no fixed fares published | Bucks County day trip |
Ages for Strasburg pricing: adults 12+, children 2–11, under 2 free on a parent’s lap. Colebrookdale and Lehigh age rules differ — check each operator’s page.
How to choose: which Pennsylvania Christmas train is right for you?
- **First Christmas train with kids:** Strasburg Santa’s Paradise Express. Most dates, clearest Santa experience, free parking, and Lancaster County has plenty to do around it.
- **Tight budget:** Lehigh Gorge Santa Claus Specials — the lowest published starting fare on this list — or a Colebrookdale coach ticket. Book early; the cheapest seats go first.
- **Sensory-sensitive child, toddler, or grandparent who prefers calm:** Strasburg Santa Claus Limited (no carolers or live musicians on board, often fewer passengers).
- **Evening magic:** Strasburg Night Before Christmas (storytelling + carolers + milk and cookies after dark) or Colebrookdale ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (pajama ride).
- **Rail fans / history lovers:** East Broad Top (narrow-gauge, coal stoves, National Historic Landmark site) or Strasburg — which calls itself “America’s oldest continuously operating railroad,” chartered June 9, 1832.
- **Dinner on the train:** Colebrookdale Winter Wonderland Adventure (dinner served in Dining Class; book at least 24 hours ahead for meal selections).
- **Bucks County day trip:** New Hope Railroad — but check the 2026 schedule and prices on the railroad’s own booking calendar before planning, because we could not verify them from an official source at drafting time.
1. Strasburg Rail Road — Santa’s Paradise Express (Ronks / Lancaster County)
The ride: A 45-minute steam-train round trip through the Amish countryside to Paradise, PA and back. Carolers and brass musicians visit every car with Christmas carols, Santa’s helpers deliver a special gift from the North Pole to each family, and Santa Claus himself stops by every family to hear children’s wishes and pose for a photo. A professional photographer travels with Santa; photo packages are available in the station.
2026 dates: Trains run Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 through December 20, plus Friday, November 27, and every day from December 21 through Christmas Eve, with frequent daytime departures.
2026 prices: $47.70 adults (12+) / $37.10 children (2–11) online or by credit card, or $45 / $35 when paying with cash at the box office or with a Strasburg Rail Road gift card. Children under 2 ride free on a parent’s lap. First-class upgrades (more comfortable seating, cookie + hot chocolate) and dining-car bookings are available; first-class and dining-car guests bring a valid photo ID to be scanned at check-in. Private Caboose Charters are $477 per party on half-hour departures only. Parking is free.
Weekend extras: On weekends through December 20, arrive early for complimentary live Christmas revue shows on the Town Square Stage — “A Very Durante Christmas” and “Jump, Jive, and Jingle,” alternating 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. — and let kids write and mail a letter to Santa at Lefever Hall.
Practical tips: Check in at the station box office between platforms 3 & 4. Arrive at least 30 minutes early; boarding begins 15 minutes before departure. Christmas trains are Strasburg’s busiest season and sell out fast — book online early.
Address: 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572.
2. Strasburg Rail Road — Night Before Christmas (evening storytelling train)
The ride: An evening Christmas train — a Strasburg tradition for about 15 years. As the steam train travels after dark past twinkling Christmas lights on a 45-minute round trip to Paradise, PA, a storyteller in your car recites Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem plus other Christmas stories, a cast of carolers visits every car to sing and dance through a medley of holiday favourites, milk and cookies are served to every guest (children and adults alike), and Santa makes a special appearance.
2026 dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from November 21 through December 20, plus Monday–Wednesday, December 21–23.
2026 prices: Same as Paradise Express — $47.70 / $37.10 online or by card; $45 / $35 cash or gift card; under 2 free on a lap. First-class seating is available; coach cars are livelier, with many families sharing the car. Parking is free.
Choose this if: You want an evening ride, your kids are old enough to stay up, or you want storytelling rather than the daytime Santa-visit format. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
3. Strasburg Rail Road — Santa Claus Limited (sensory-friendly Santa train)
The ride: A calmer Santa train for families who prefer a quieter holiday experience. The 45-minute steam ride runs through the Amish countryside past twinkling Christmas lights to Paradise, PA and back, with a personal visit from Santa at every family’s seat. Children can hand Santa a letter or wish list, and can write and mail a letter to the North Pole at Lefever Hall. The key difference: no carolers or live musicians on board, and trains often carry fewer passengers than the weekend Paradise Express (the steam whistle still sounds).
2026 dates: December 2–18, with departures at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 p.m. on Fridays.
2026 prices: $42.40 adults (12+) / $31.80 children (2–11) online or by card; $40 / $30 cash or gift card; under 2 free on a lap. First-class upgrade available. Parking is free.
Choose this if: Anyone in your group is sensitive to noise, crowds, or live music; if you have toddlers who do better on a quieter train; or if you prefer a weekday afternoon departure.
4. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway — Santa Claus Specials (Jim Thorpe)
The ride: An ~80-minute round trip from Jim Thorpe through Lehigh Gorge State Park, with Santa and his elves on board. Santa talks to the children and families, and he and his elves hand out small treats while passengers enjoy the winter scenery. Four seating options are sold: Standard Coach, Crown Class Coach, Vista Class Dome, and a First Class Lounge (fare includes a snack and a beverage). Seating is first-come, first-served; children 2 and under ride free in any seating option.
2026 dates: November 27 – December 24, 2026: Nov 27–30; Dec 4–6, 11–13, and 18–24, with departures at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m..
2026 prices: Standard Coach $25 adults / $9 children (3–12); Crown Class Coach $27 / $10; Vista Class Dome $35 / $21; First Class Lounge $54 / $45 (fare includes a snack and a beverage). Children 2 and under ride free in any class. Seating is first-come, first-served. The $9 figure in older guides is the child Standard Coach fare — the adult entry price is $25.
Practical tips: Station at 1 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA. Pick up tickets at the ticket booth with your email confirmation before boarding; the operator recommends arriving at least one hour before departure to allow time for parking. Parking in Jim Thorpe is owned/controlled by Carbon County, not the railway. Jim Thorpe is very popular on December weekends — expect traffic and parking delays.
Choose this if: You want gorge scenery, a longer ride, and the lowest entry price — or you are already visiting Jim Thorpe for its shops, restaurants, and historic downtown.
5. East Broad Top Railroad — Christmas in Coal Country (Orbisonia / Rockhill Furnace)
The ride: A one-hour Christmas journey from the decorated Orbisonia Station in historic passenger cars warmed by authentic coal stoves. Santa visits every family and presents each child with a special gift. Every passenger receives hot chocolate and a cookie. Arrive early or stay after to write a letter to Santa, explore the model train display, and enjoy the festive atmosphere around the station; food vendors are available for additional purchases.
2026 dates: November 27 – December 20, 2026 (Friday through Sunday).
Departures: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m..
Duration: 1 hour. Cancellations: no refunds; full ticket value may be transferred to credit. Trains operate rain, snow, or shine. Wheelchair-accessible train car available.
2026 prices: Coach: $28 adults (13+) / $22 children (2–12); Caboose: $32 / $26. Children under 2 ride free (no seat) with each fare-paying adult (18+).
Choose this if: You love historic railroads. East Broad Top is a National Historic Landmark narrow-gauge railroad — the only surviving three-foot-gauge common carrier east of the Rockies (per secondary coverage) — and the coal-stove cars make this the most atmospheric ride on the list. The nearby Rockhill Trolley Museum is a natural add-on.
6. Colebrookdale Railroad — Santa’s Polar Bear Express (Boyertown)
The ride: A 1-hour Santa adventure into Christmas past through the Secret Valley. Arrive early for complimentary hot cocoa and Christmas cookies in the decorated train yard before boarding. No meals are served on this excursion. Note: there is no reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on this excursion.
2026 dates: Nov 21–22, 27–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–24 (15 dates).
2026 prices: From $55. Confirm the fare for your class and date on the booking page.
7. Colebrookdale Railroad — ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Boyertown)
The ride: A 90-minute pajama ride: join in pyjamas as one of Santa’s Helpers reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, in Edwardian-era cars, with Santa appearing with a gift for every child. Complimentary hot cocoa and Christmas cookies in the train yard before boarding.
2026 dates: Dec 11 & 18, 5:00 PM — the only two dates.
2026 prices: From $65.
Choose this if: Your kids love the poem, or you want a pajama-ride tradition distinct from Strasburg’s evening storytelling train.
8. Colebrookdale Railroad — Winter Wonderland Adventure, Dinner in Dining Class (Boyertown)
The ride: A 2-hour round trip departing and arriving in Boyertown, with dinner served in Dining Class cars only. Santa is on board with a gift for every child in all cars. Younger riders sit with Santa and receive a colouring book. An à la carte snack and beverage menu is available in all cars.
Classes: Dining Class (Dining Car, Lounge Car & Beaver Car) receives the served dinner (select meal at checkout). First-Class Parlor receives an hors d’oeuvres plate, dessert, and complimentary beverage (adults 13+). Coach Class orders from the à la carte menu.
2026 dates: Dec 4, 7–10, 14–17, all 6:00 PM (9 dates).
2026 prices: From $65–$102. Dinner-excursion tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance due to meal selections; no same-day Dining Class bookings.
Choose this if: You want a date-night or multi-generational dinner train rather than a daytime Santa ride.
9. New Hope Railroad — Santa’s Steam Train / North Pole Express (New Hope, Bucks County)
New Hope Railroad runs Santa trains from New Hope Station (32 West Bridge Street) to the “North Pole,” with wandering musicians, hot chocolate and cookies, and Santa and Mrs. Claus visiting on board. The railroad distinguishes two products: Santa’s Steam Train Ride (vintage steam locomotive) and Santa’s North Pole Express (diesel locomotive) — both offer the same onboard experience, differing in locomotive type.
2026 dates: Value days Nov 15, 16, 22–26; Off-peak Dec 8–11, 15–18, 22, 23, 29, 30; Peak Nov 28–30, Dec 1, 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28; Christmas Eve Dec 24.
2026 prices: dynamic pricing — no fixed dollar fares are published; the fare shown at reservation time is the minimum available, and every reservation carries a processing fee.
Choose this if: You are already visiting New Hope / Bucks County (Peddler’s Village, Washington Crossing, Lambertville across the river) and want a Santa train as part of a day trip. Book online in advance — the railroad notes that Santa trains sell out and that kiosk availability is not assured.
Booking playbook for Pennsylvania Christmas trains
1. **Book Strasburg first.** It has the most dates and the clearest pricing — but also the highest demand. If you want a specific Saturday, book weeks ahead.
2. **Confirm every price on the operator’s booking page.** Prices vary by class, day, and demand, and some operators show “from” prices. The totals in the table above are published starting points, not guarantees.
3. **Arrive early.** Strasburg asks for 30 minutes; Lehigh Gorge asks for one hour (parking). For Colebrookdale, arrive early for cocoa and cookies in the yard.
4. **Dress warmly.** Trains are heated, but platforms, stations, and photo queues are outdoors. December evenings in Pennsylvania are cold.
5. **Bring your camera, not just your phone.** Santa visits, station displays, and gorge scenery all reward a charged camera. Strasburg has a professional photographer with Santa; other operators vary.
6. **Check cancellation rules.** East Broad Top: no refunds, credit transfer only. Other operators vary — read the policy before buying, especially for dinner trains.
Getting between them
- **Strasburg + Colebrookdale** — both in southeastern PA, roughly 1–1.5 hours apart by car. A Lancaster County weekend can include Strasburg one day and a second train or outlet/shopping day the next.
- **Lehigh Gorge + East Broad Top** — Jim Thorpe to Orbisonia is a longer drive (~2.5–3 hours). Treat them as separate day trips unless you are touring central PA.
- **New Hope** — Bucks County, about 1 hour from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from New York City. Pairs with Peddler’s Village and Lambertville.
FAQ
What is the best Christmas train ride in Pennsylvania?
Strasburg’s Santa’s Paradise Express is the best all-rounder: steam, Santa in every car, the most dates, free parking, and clear pricing. East Broad Top is the most atmospheric; Lehigh Gorge is the best budget pick.
How much do Pennsylvania Christmas train rides cost in 2026?
Strasburg: $47.70 adult / $37.10 child online ($45/$35 cash) for Paradise Express and Night Before Christmas; $42.40/$31.80 online ($40/$30 cash) for the sensory-friendly Limited. Lehigh Gorge: Standard Coach $25 adult / $9 child (3–12); Crown $27/$10; Vista Dome $35/$21; First Class Lounge $54/$45. Colebrookdale: from $55–$102 depending on ride. East Broad Top: Coach $28 adult / $22 child; Caboose $32 / $26. New Hope: dynamic pricing, no fixed fares published.
Which Pennsylvania Christmas train is best for toddlers?
Strasburg’s Santa Claus Limited (sensory-friendly, no carolers, fewer passengers) or Colebrookdale’s Santa’s Polar Bear Express (1 hour, cocoa and cookies). Both are shorter and calmer than a full evening ride.
Which is best for a date night?
Colebrookdale Winter Wonderland Dinner (2-hour dinner train) or Strasburg Night Before Christmas (evening storytelling + milk and cookies).
Do Christmas trains sell out?
Yes — Strasburg explicitly says its Christmas trains sell out fast and recommends booking online in advance. New Hope also notes its Santa trains sell out. Book early for any Saturday in December.
Can I bring a stroller / is there accessible seating?
East Broad Top lists a wheelchair-accessible train car. Other operators vary — check accessibility on the operator’s page before booking, especially for dining cars and dome cars.
What if it rains or snows?
East Broad Top states trains operate rain, snow, or shine. Other operators generally run in winter weather too — but check the operator’s alerts on the day, and allow extra driving time.
Related guides
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- Christmas markets in Cleveland: https://goldweds.com/christmas-markets-cleveland/
- Magical Christmas towns in the USA: https://goldweds.com/magical-christmas-towns-in-usa/
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- Best German-style Christmas markets in the US: https://goldweds.com/best-german-style-christmas-markets-in-the-us/
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