Celebrate the festive season with a ride aboard Ontario’s beloved Christmas trains, where holiday cheer meets scenic winter landscapes. From the snow-covered woods of Milton to the frosty countryside of Waterloo and Port Stanley, families can enjoy nostalgic rail journeys filled with twinkling lights, carols, and a special visit from Santa himself.
Credit: Halton County Radial Railway
These seasonal excursions, offered by heritage railways across the province, promise warm memories, festive treats, and a touch of old-fashioned Christmas magic for passengers of all ages.
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train will also visit various Ontario locations this year.
Santa Treats Train Rides – Port Stanley Terminal Railway
Port Stanley Terminal Railway
Various days, November 22 to December 21, 2025
Port Stanley Terminal Rail, Bridge Street, Port Stanley
$10.50 to $21.50
Santa’s Christmas Caboose – Waterloo Central Railway
Join Waterloo Central Railway as Santa hops aboard the heritage train ride through the wintery Waterloo countryside from St. Jacobs north toward Elmira and back while enjoying festive carols and a visit from Santa!
Waterloo Central Railway
Waterloo Central Railway is offering three festive train adventures this holiday season, including the Merry Mission Dayliner (a daytime ride), where passengers help save Christmas; the Christmas Cheerlight Charter, an evening the evening lights ride with family challenges and Santa’s Nightcap (19+), an adults-only experience featuring festive drinks, games, and holiday cheer aboard a heritage train.
November 15 to December 21, 2025
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Station, 330 Farmers Market Road, Waterloo
$30.99 & up
Christmas on the Rails – Halton County Radial Railway
Ride into the holiday season with Halton County Radial Railway. There’s nothing like riding the rails through the woods with snow on the trees, Christmas carols in the air, and a visit from Santa! Details
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2025
Halton County Radial Railway Museum, 13629 Guelph Line, Milton
Regular Admission
North Pole Express
Bring the whole family down and celebrate the North Pole Express at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario in Smiths Falls. Get ready to hop aboard on Christmas cabooses for a ride along the snowy tracks. Keep an eye out for Santa who will be arriving by train to meet all the good girls and boys. Details
November 29, December 6, 13, 2025
Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William Street West, Smiths Falls
Portage Flyer Christmas Train – Muskoka
Muskoka Heritage Place
Enjoy a Christmas train ride alongside the Muskoka River to The Purser’s Cabin on the Portage Flyer locomotive decorated with thousands of lights. Enjoy a cup of free hot chocolate and cookies (while supplies last), sing along to the carols, and meet Santa while you wait to board the train.
December 20, 2025 | 4:30 PM, rides begin at 5 pm until 8 pm. (last train leaves the station at 7:30 pm)
Muskoka Heritage Place Rotary Village Station, 100 Forbes Hill Drive, Huntsville
$5.00 per person, babes in arms are free
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View Comments (7)
Hi
What’s the closest place to Midtown Toronto to catch a Santa Train? 🙏
Hi, where can we take our 5 grandkids for s santa train ride if we live in Brampton, On?
Where can my family watch the Christmas train of Canada go by near Kingston Ontario? And is there train rides for any Christmas train near us?
There is one in Smith Falls -- https://www.todocanada.ca/city/ottawa/event/north-pole-express/.
The other nearest is in Uxbridge about 2 hrs 30 minutes away.
If you are not particular about train rides, you can take Christmas Lights Tour in the decorated heritage trolley with Kingston Trolley Tours (call 613.549.5544 and ask whether there will be Santa at any of the stops). Christmas events in Kingston -- https://www.todocanada.ca/christmas-holiday-events-kingston/
Any word on the Halton County Radial Railway
and when/if they are running this year?
Good morning
I am trying to find the closest train from Simcoe Ontario so my son daughter Myself and a friend may enjoy a train ride plus his daughter also
Assuming you are talking about Simcoe in Norfolk County, the closest is Port Stanley Train Ride.