Come take a ride on the East Troy Santa Train Ride!
Looking for a magical Christmas train ride near Milwaukee? The East Troy Electric Railroad’s popular Santa Train returns in 2026 with a big change: Santa’s Workshop is moving to a brand-new location at the Castle building at the Salvation Army Camp.
Families will board a heated historic train at the East Troy Depot and ride to Santa’s Workshop, where they’ll meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, take photos, enjoy holiday activities, and make some Christmas memories together.
The 2026 East Troy Christmas Trains run on select Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 through December 20. There are also special evening Santa trains on select Fridays and Saturdays.
2026 East Troy Santa Train Dates
Daytime Santa’s Christmas Trains
The daytime Christmas Trains run:
- November 28 and 29
- December 5 and 6
- December 12 and 13
- December 19 and 20
The East Troy Railroad Museum plans multiple daytime departures each day:9:00 am, 10:30 am, Noon, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm.
Advance reservations are required, and every rider needs a ticket. The trains depart from the East Troy Depot at:
East Troy Depot
2002 Church Street
East Troy, WI 53120
The 2026 Christmas Trains only board at the East Troy Depot.
Santa’s Workshop Has a New Location for 2026
One of the biggest changes to the East Troy Santa Train this year is the location of Santa’s Workshop.
Santa’s Workshop will be at the Castle building at the Salvation Army Camp.
After boarding the heated train at the East Troy Depot, passengers will ride to the North Pole platform and then enter the Castle for approximately one hour of Christmas activities.
The new Santa’s Workshop experience includes:
- A shorter walk from the North Pole platform to the Castle building
- A private setting to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus
- More space for family and group photos with Santa
- A separate Grand Hall with new games and activities
- Hot chocolate and cookies from the onsite kitchen
- Indoor restrooms at the Workshop
- Holiday food available for purchase from the Elegant Farmer upstairs
So, while the Elegant Farmer is still part of the 2026 experience, Santa’s Workshop is no longer located at the Elegant Farmer.
How Long Is the East Troy Santa Train Ride?
The daytime Christmas Train experience is approximately two hours total.
The current 2026 schedule describes the experience as approximately:
- 25 minutes on the train to Santa’s Workshop
- 1 hour at Santa’s Workshop
- 15 minutes on the train returning to the East Troy Depot
Every child and toddler ticket holder receives a gift from an elf during the return trip. The trains are heated, and bathrooms are available at both the East Troy Depot and Santa’s Workshop.
2026 Santa Train Ticket Prices
The 2026 daytime Christmas Train ticket prices, including the convenience fee, are:
| Ticket | Sunday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, age 15+ | $41 | $43 |
| Child, ages 3-14 | $36 | $39 |
| Infant/Toddler, ages 0-2 | $13 | $16 |
East Troy Railroad Museum members receive discounted pricing.
Tickets go on sale to the public October 12, 2026 at noon. Member presale begins October 5 at noon.
Santa’s Special Evening Christmas Trains
Want to make the Christmas train ride a little more special? The East Troy Railroad Museum also offers Santa’s Special Evening Trains aboard its historic Art-Deco dining cars.
The 2026 evening Santa trains run:
- Saturday, November 28
- Friday, December 4
- Saturday, December 5
- Friday, December 11
- Saturday, December 12
- Friday, December 18
- Saturday, December 19
These evening trains depart from the East Troy Depot.
The experience includes the train ride to Santa’s Workshop, a visit with Santa, holiday activities, cookies and hot chocolate. Adult tickets also include a complimentary adult beverage option. Every child and toddler ticket holder receives a holiday gift.
2026 Santa Special Evening Train Prices
| Ticket | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, age 15+ | $69 | $79 |
| Child, ages 3-14 | $59 | $72 |
| Infant/Toddler, ages 0-2 | $49 | $53 |
Member pricing is also available.
Santa Special Evening Train tickets go on sale to the public October 12, 2026 at noon. Member presale begins October 5 at noon.
Where Do You Board the East Troy Santa Train?
All 2026 Christmas Trains board at the:
East Troy Depot
2002 Church Street
East Troy, Wisconsin 53120
Free parking is available at the East Troy Depot.
The Elegant Farmer platform is used for some of the railroad’s regular spring and summer service, but Santa’s Christmas Trains depart from the East Troy Depot.
What to Know Before You Go
A few things to know before booking your East Troy Christmas Train:
- Advance reservations are required.
- Every person riding the train needs a ticket, including infants and toddlers.
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- If you are attending with multiple families, the railroad recommends purchasing tickets under one reservation so your group can be seated together.
- The Christmas trains are heated.
- Bathrooms are available at the East Troy Depot and Santa’s Workshop.
- Children and toddlers receive a holiday gift.
- The 2026 Santa Train experience is different from previous years because Santa’s Workshop has moved to the Castle at the Salvation Army Camp.
- TICKETS WILL SELL OUT! THEY DO EVERY YEAR!
When Do East Troy Santa Train Tickets Go on Sale?
Public ticket sales begin Monday, October 12, 2026 at noon.
East Troy Railroad Museum members get an early presale beginning Monday, October 5, 2026 at noon.
If you want to ride with another family or a larger group, the railroad recommends purchasing everyone’s tickets together so you can be seated near each other.
Is the East Troy Santa Train Worth It for Families?
Yes! The East Troy Santa Train combines a ride aboard a historic electric railroad car with a visit to Santa, family activities, holiday treats, and a gift for children and toddlers.
For 2026, families can also look forward to the new Castle location for Santa’s Workshop, which provides a shorter walk from the train platform, more space for Santa photos, a dedicated Grand Hall for activities, and indoor restroom facilities.
It’s a Christmas tradition worth putting on your holiday calendar if your family enjoys Santa experiences and train rides.
Frequently Asked Questions About the East Troy Santa Train
Where is Santa’s Workshop for the East Troy Christmas Train in 2026?
In 2026, Santa’s Workshop is at the Castle building at the Salvation Army Camp. This is a new location for the East Troy Christmas Trains. The Elegant Farmer will still have holiday food offerings available for purchase at the Castle.
Does the East Troy Santa Train go to the Elegant Farmer?
Not for the 2026 Christmas Train experience. Santa’s Workshop has moved to the Castle building at the Salvation Army Camp. The Elegant Farmer will still offer holiday food for purchase at the new Workshop location.
Where does the East Troy Santa Train leave from?
The 2026 Christmas Trains depart from the East Troy Depot at 2002 Church Street in East Troy, Wisconsin.
When is the East Troy Santa Train in 2026?
The daytime Santa’s Christmas Trains run November 28-29, December 5-6, December 12-13, and December 19-20, 2026. Santa’s Special Evening Trains run November 28 and December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19.
How much are East Troy Santa Train tickets?
2026 daytime tickets range from $13 to $43 depending on age and whether you ride Saturday or Sunday. Santa’s Special Evening Train tickets range from $49 to $79.
When do East Troy Christmas Train tickets go on sale?
Public ticket sales begin October 12, 2026 at noon. East Troy Railroad Museum members have a presale beginning October 5 at noon.
How long is the East Troy Santa Train experience?
The daytime Christmas Train experience is approximately two hours, including the train ride to Santa’s Workshop, approximately one hour at the Workshop, and the return train ride.
Does every child need a ticket?
Yes. Every rider needs a ticket, including infants and toddlers. Every child and toddler ticket holder receives a holiday gift.
Are the East Troy Christmas Trains heated?
Yes. The East Troy Railroad Museum says the Christmas trains are heated. Bathrooms are available at the East Troy Depot and Santa’s Workshop.
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What is the East Troy Electric Railroad Museum?
The East Troy Railroad Museum operates regular 14-mile round trip excursions from its historic East Troy Depot and Museum to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago, with a stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli. This not-for-profit railroad is operated and managed by over 150 volunteers dedicated to engaging visitors in the heritage of electric interurban railways and trolley systems through restoration, preservation and operation of historic equipment.
For more information, visit www.easttroyrr.org or call 262.642.3263.
