Spoil your family with a Christmas train ride this winter. They bring magic and machines together for a joyous holiday experience. You may even get to see Santa Claus himself! These scenic train rides are the perfect holiday experience for families with a pint-size locomotive fan under their roof!
Whether you have got a kid obsessed with trains or your family longs to replicate a Polar Express train ride, these holiday railway rides will be ideal for making core memories. Here in the GTA, we are lucky enough to have some magical options for holiday train rides and experiences on the rails! You might not make it to the North Pole, but you will feel like you’re heading in the right direction! Here are all the best local train rides to experience this holiday season.
Waterloo Central Railway Christmas Train Experience
The Waterloo Central Railway offers two Christmas train experiences. The daytime ride is “Santa’s Countryside Ride” and the evening one is “Santa’s Christmas Caboose”. Both are a one-hour round-trip ride on a magical journey to the North Pole. Santa, elves and reindeer await your arrival. You can expect singing, storytime, and on the evening experience, you get to take in the sights of over 15,000 Christmas lights!
Where: St Jacobs, ON (train departs at the station right near the St. Jacobs Farmers Market)
Cost: Starting at $25.99 for children and $30.99 for adults for daytime in November.
When: Events run until December 23rd
Halton County Radial Railway Christmas Train Ride
The Halton County Radial Railway is offering one last hurrah for the 2025 season; a Christmas on the Rails event! Board the train for a ride through the woods with snow on the trees and Christmas carols in the air. There’s also a big man in red scheduled to make an appearance! New this year: Afternoon cookie decorating for kids! Cost is $5/child. There is a limited number of cookies, so be sure to arrive early.
Where: Milton, ON
Cost: $13 for children ages 4-9, $19 for children ages 10-17, $23 for seniors 65+, and $25 for adults
Family pass:: $75 for 2 adults and 2 children
When: December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 2025 from 1pm to 8pm
Free Rides On The Winter Twinkle Express in Downtown Milton
The Downtown Milton tourism agency is offering free Christmas Train rides through the downtown core. The Winter Twinkle Express will get you in the holiday spirit with music, fun activities and of course, train rides! Take in the seasonal light displays and the beautifully decorated storefronts, or enjoy a hot chocolate as you stroll the streets!
Where: Milton, ON
Cost: Free
When: Pending confirmation for 2025.
Ride The RBG Express Christmas Train Ride at Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens: The RBG is offering Christmas train rides on the RBG Express! Don’t miss a ride on the train during a day visit to the gardens. Purchase tickets at the door to take a round-trip ride throughout Hendrie Park. Tip: purchase your train tickets as soon as you arrive – they do sell out!
Where: Burlington, ON
Cost: $10 + HST per car on top of admission; up to four people per train car.
When: Running Nov. 27, 2025 until January 4, 2026 from 10:15 am to 1:30 pm, closed Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1
Botanical Train Display
One of our favourite holiday traditions is to check out the Botanical Train Display at RBG.
Upcoming Events For Train Fans
Events
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Hot Wheels Legends Tour
Walmart Oakville #3064 234 Hays Boulevard, Oakville, ON, CanadaIn partnership with Mobil 1 and Walmart, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back. Celebrating another epic year, this global contest offers builders a unique opportunity to have their passion […]
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Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration
Burlington Model Railway Club 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaAt the Burlington Model Railway Centre Hidden Valley Park, Aldershot (Burlington) Ontario See operating model railroads in three different scales: N-scale and HO scale layouts inside G-scale outside on the […]
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Touch A Truck
West Lincoln Community Centre 177 West St, Smithville, Ontario, CanadaGet up close with favorite trucks, big rigs, construction and community vehicles! Enjoy food trucks as a family. DROP IN. Get up close and personal with your favourite trucks, big […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Cars and Coffee
Canadian Tire - Ancaster 1060 Wilson St West, Ancaster, ON, CanadaCar Show
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Father’s Day Weekend Car Show
West Highland Church 1605 Garth Street, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaWest Highland’s Annual Car Show is Back! Calling all drivers and car enthusiasts—get ready to rev your engines! Date: Saturday, June 20 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Check-in opens at 9:00 […]
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Father’s Day Car Show at Safari Niagara
Safari Niagara 2821 Stevensville Road,, Niagara, Ontario, CanadaBring the whole family out for a day filled with classic cars, cool rides, and unforgettable memories. Whether you’re showing off your pride and joy or coming to admire the […]
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Classics in the Park
Binbrook Fairgrounds 305 Fall Fair Way, Binbrook, Ontario, CanadaCircle your calendars and make a point of spending the day with us. $ 10.00 per car & driver $5.00 per spectator or a non perishable food item for our […]
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Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration
Burlington Model Railway Club 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaAt the Burlington Model Railway Centre Hidden Valley Park, Aldershot (Burlington) Ontario See operating model railroads in three different scales: N-scale and HO scale layouts inside G-scale outside on the […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration
Burlington Model Railway Club 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaAt the Burlington Model Railway Centre Hidden Valley Park, Aldershot (Burlington) Ontario See operating model railroads in three different scales: N-scale and HO scale layouts inside G-scale outside on the […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration
Burlington Model Railway Club 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaAt the Burlington Model Railway Centre Hidden Valley Park, Aldershot (Burlington) Ontario See operating model railroads in three different scales: N-scale and HO scale layouts inside G-scale outside on the […]
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Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCatch a ride on a miniature train, operated by the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers! Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum from 11:00 […]
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Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration
Burlington Model Railway Club 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaAt the Burlington Model Railway Centre Hidden Valley Park, Aldershot (Burlington) Ontario See operating model railroads in three different scales: N-scale and HO scale layouts inside G-scale outside on the […]
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