Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides — Seashore Trolley Museum

The Seashore Trolley Museum, run by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society in Kennebunkport, Maine, holds its Christmas Prelude over two weekends in December. Visitors ride trolleys decked out in live holiday greens on the museum's private heritage railroad, look at the exhibits, including the model railroad building, visit the Museum Store and enjoy hot chocolate.

The operator says the trolley rides last roughly 25 minutes and run through the museum's wooded campus. Complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast around an outdoor fire pit are included in the admission, and Santa is on campus for photos on certain event days. The ticket start time is the time the trolley ride departs, and the museum asks guests to be ready for a prompt departure.

The operator is clear that these are real trolleys running on a railroad, not the imitation street trolleys seen on the roads of Kennebunkport: its heritage railway is about 3 miles from downtown Kennebunkport and does not connect with it. The event is held rain, light snow or shine. The museum also holds a separate Santa's Magical Trolley Ride with its own ticket.

A trolley ride of roughly 25 minutes on the museum's private heritage railroad, hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast around the outdoor fire pit, exhibits and the Museum Store, and Santa on campus for photos on selected event days. Guests are welcome to arrive early or stay after their ride to see the outdoor exhibits and the Craft Room in the Visitors Center.

Held at the Seashore Trolley Museum, 195 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport, Maine. The museum is open 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on event days, and the last trolley ride leaves the Visitors Center at 5 PM. The start time on your ticket is your trolley departure time, and trolleys leave promptly. The event runs rain, light snow or shine. A Mobilift helps guests with mobility challenges board the trolleys. Refunds are only granted up to one day before the event date; in a blizzard or other significant weather event the museum may cancel and refund or transfer tickets. The operator expects the event to sell out quickly. Questions: events@trolleymuseum.org or (207) 967-2800 ext. 110.