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Illustration: A lit steam train with a wreath crossing a snowy valley beside a Christmas tree
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Christmas

Santa's Holiday Express — Bluegrass Railroad Museum

  • Run by Bluegrass Railroad Museum
  • Bluegrass Railroad Museum — Versailles, Kentucky, United States

Next: Nov 28 – Dec 13, 2026

A 90-minute Santa train ride through the Kentucky countryside from the Bluegrass Railroad Museum in Versailles, with carols, a visit from Santa for every child and candy canes at the end, held in late November and December.

Updated

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Next edition

Nov 28 – Dec 13, 2026

Sat Nov 28, Dec 5 and Dec 12 at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm; Sun Dec 6 and Dec 13 at 2:00 pm. The ride lasts about 90 minutes.

From $18 (as published by the operator)

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About this event

The Bluegrass Railroad Museum, an all-volunteer nonprofit in Versailles, Kentucky, runs Santa's Holiday Express from its station on Beasley Road. The operator describes a ride in festively decorated vintage coaches in which Santa Claus makes his way through the train to visit every child. The museum says Frosty, the Grinch and some elves go through the train with him, so that each child can give a Christmas list and have a photo taken.

The train heads west through Kentucky horse country: cattle, fields of corn, soybeans and tobacco, two Thoroughbred horse farms where mares and foals may be seen, then deep limestone cuts down to the palisades of the Kentucky River. Passengers stay on the train in winter. Carols are sung on board, and hot chocolate and a candy cane are offered back at the station.

The museum offers Coach seating in antique commuter coaches with vinyl bench seats and propane heaters, and First Class seating in former long-distance cars with individual reclining seats and air conditioning. Santa's Holiday Express is one of the museum's special-event excursions, separate from its regular scenic runs.

What to expect

About 90 minutes by train: carol singing, Santa and friends coming through the cars so each child can share a Christmas list and get a photo, then hot chocolate and a candy cane at the station. Coaches are heated in winter, and the operator suggests dressing in layers.

Practical info

Boards at the Bluegrass Railroad Museum, 175 Beasley Road, Versailles, Kentucky (Woodford County Park, about 15 miles west of Lexington). Parking is free on site. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and the operator suggests arriving 45 minutes early for special events. The operator says only water is allowed on the train. Pets are not allowed on excursion trains except certified service animals. Accessible seating is available on the coaches: call (859) 873-2476 ahead of the visit. The museum says special-event tickets often sell out within days of going on sale, and that trains run rain or shine.

Where it happens

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Spots and live cams nearby

Where to watch trains within 100 km of Versailles.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Santa train ride at the Bluegrass Railroad Museum?▾
The operator lists a 90-minute ride.
Where does the Santa train leave from?▾
From the Bluegrass Railroad Museum at 175 Beasley Road in Versailles, Kentucky, inside Woodford County Park. Parking is free on site.
What happens on the Santa train?▾
Santa Claus visits every child on the train, with Frosty, the Grinch and some elves, so children can share their Christmas list and have a photo taken. Carols are sung, and hot chocolate and a candy cane are offered back at the station.
What will we see from the train?▾
The operator describes cattle and fields of corn, soybean and tobacco, two Thoroughbred horse farms, and deep limestone cuts down to the palisades of the Kentucky River. Passengers stay on the train in winter weather.
Is the train heated?▾
Yes. The coaches are antique commuter coaches with propane heaters used in the winter; First Class cars are former long-distance cars with air conditioning.
Can we bring food or pets?▾
The operator says only water is allowed on the train, and pets are not permitted on excursion trains except certified service animals.
Do Santa trains sell out?▾
The museum says special-event tickets such as Santa's Holiday Express often sell out within days of going on sale and are typically released two to three months before departure.

Sources

Dates checked on Oct 8, 2026 from the official site: fareharbor.com. Schedules can change — always confirm with the operator before you travel.

Official website: bluegrassrailroad.com

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