Oct

All Aboard! Christmas Train Tickets Now On Sale at East Troy Railroad

Looking for a holiday experience that’s sure to enchant the entire family? The East Troy Railroad’s Christmas Train tickets are now on sale!

This image shows a vintage red train moving through a snowy landscape, surrounded by leafless trees and a serene winter setting. The snow is falling gently, covering the tracks and the ground, creating a peaceful, festive atmosphere. The train, with its warm, glowing headlight, looks inviting as it makes its way through the woods, evoking the magic of the holiday season. This is likely the Christmas Train on its journey to Santa’s Workshop, a beloved family-friendly tradition at the East Troy Railroad Museum.

Families can hop aboard these festive trains for a magical journey to Santa’s Workshop at the Elegant Farmer, but don’t wait too long—tickets sell out quickly each year!

The 2024 Christmas Trains will begin running on Saturdays and Sundays from November 30th through December 21st. The round-trip ride, just under two hours, departs from the East Troy Depot and takes passengers to the beautifully decorated Santa’s Workshop.

Along the way, families can enjoy the nostalgia of riding in historic, heated train cars while taking in the scenic winter landscape. Upon arrival, children will meet Santa, take photos, and receive a special gift.

Tickets are already available online at the East Troy Railroad Museum’s website, where you can secure your seats.

Santa Claus at the platform of the East Troy Depot, waving at passengers on a vintage train decorated for the Christmas season. Santa, dressed in his iconic red suit, is welcoming families as they prepare to embark on a magical holiday journey.

For more magical holiday events and where to meet Santa, check out our guide to Magical Holiday Experiences for Kids.

Christmas Train Details:

Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from November 30 to December 21, 2024
Departure times: 9:00 am, 10:30 am, Noon, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm (no 3:00 pm train on December 7th)
Location: Departs from the East Troy Depot, 2002 Church Street, East Troy, WI
Duration: Just under 2 hours (round-trip)
Ticket Prices:
- Adults: $28 (Sunday) or $30 (Saturday)
- Children (ages 3-14): $24 (Sunday) or $26 (Saturday)
- Infants and toddlers: $11 (Sunday) or $12 (Saturday)

Be sure to grab your tickets early, especially if you’re eyeing one of the Santa’s Special Saturday Evening Trains, which run on select Thursday and Friday evenings. Some of these trains may already be sold out!

A Magical Family Tradition

Beyond the festive ride and Santa visit, Santa’s Workshop at the Elegant Farmer offers fun activities for kids and delicious seasonal treats for the whole family. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the magic of the season together.

festive interior of the train, where families are seated and enjoying the ride. A conductor dressed in traditional uniform hands out small gifts to passengers, adding to the joyful atmosphere. The train is adorned with holiday decorations, creating a warm, nostalgic feel perfect for the Christmas Train experience.

And don’t worry about the cold—the train cars are warm and cozy, restrooms are available, and parking is free at the East Troy Depot.

How to Book

Reservations are required, so make sure to purchase your tickets online as soon as possible at www.easttroyrr.org.

Looking for more train-themed family fun this holiday season? Don’t miss our post on the Milwaukee Light Engineering Society’s Miniature Train Rides in Cedarburg. It’s another fantastic way to make lasting memories on the rails!

Calie Herbst

Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.

Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.

Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.

Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.