Santa Express, Holiday Flyer & Holiday Nightcap Trains
Make Mid-Continent Railway Museum part of your family’s holiday season tradition. We offer three types of festive train rides.
Now in its third decade, the Santa Express is Mid-Continent’s traditional Christmas train that includes a visit from Santa Claus and a small gift from Santa’s elves for the children during a 55-minute ride. This experience is perfect for families with younger children or adults who are young at heart.
Aboard the Holiday Flyer passengers each receive a hot chocolate and treats with a festive onboard atmosphere. This experience is perfect for adults or families with older children looking for a fun holiday experience without a visit from Santa Claus.
New for 2025 is the Holiday Night Cap, a train specifically for passengers ages 21 and older that prefer a little something extra mixed in with their hot chocolate to help bring on the holiday cheer.
Santa Express™
Nov 29-Dec 30 & Dec 6-7, 2025
Train Rides with Old Saint Nick
Celebrate the holiday season in a uniquely festive way aboard the 31st Annual Santa Express. Santa will visit as you take in the spirit of Christmas past on an early 1900s adventure. All train cars are kept comfortably warm using the over century-old tradition of steam heating or coal-fired stoves, just like at the North Pole.
A uniformed conductor will welcome you aboard and collect your tickets. Upon departing, Santa takes time to visit each and every family at their seat during the 55-minute ride. Santa’s elves are also aboard and help spread Christmas cheer with small gifts for the children.
All aboard!
Santa Express Schedule
There are four Santa Express departures each day of this four-day event. Trains travel the entire 7-mile round-trip route. Rides last 55 minutes.
Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Departures at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Departures at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Departures at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 2025 – Departures at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm
Santa Express Photos
Holiday Flyer
December 6, 2024
Hot Chocolate and Christmas Fun
Departing Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM.
Celebrate the holiday season with a festive train ride. Embark on a 55-minute evening ride through rural Sauk County.
Aboard the train, passengers will enjoy festive decorations and music. Hot chocolate and goodies will be provided onboard.
SANTA WILL NOT BE ABOARD THE HOLIDAY FLYER TRAIN. For an experience with Santa, please book our Santa Express trains.
This is a rare chance to experience Mid-Continent’s train rides during twilight or after dark (depending on the departure time chosen), proving a unique ride experience. The century-old railcars are kept comfortably warm using the train’s original steam heating system for a truly historic atmosphere.
Holiday Flyer Photos
Holiday Nightcap
December 6, 2024
A Holiday Train for Adults with Spiked Hot Chocolate
Departing Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM.
If you’ve ever ridden Mid-Continent’s Santa Express or the Holiday Flyer trains and wished there was a version without kids, this is the train ride for you! During this evening ride, passengers will receive a hot chocolate beverage spiked with their choice of Bailey’s Irish Creme or Peppermint Schnapps.
SANTA WILL NOT BE ABOARD THE HOLIDAY NIGHTCAP TRAIN. For an experience with Santa, please book our Santa Express trains.
This is a rare chance to experience Mid-Continent’s train rides after dark, proving a unique ride experience. The century-old railcars are kept comfortably warm using the train’s original steam heating system for a truly historic atmosphere.
Book Your Tickets
All Santa Express, Holiday Flyer, and Holiday Nightcap trains are expected to sell out in advance. Book tickets early!
Fares
For the Santa Express and Holiday Flyer trains, Coach Class is the only type of ticket offered.
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (3-15) | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Express | $30.00 | $18.00 | Free |
| Holiday Flyer | $30.00 | $18.00 | Free |
| Holiday Nightcap | $35.00 | not permitted | not permitted |
WINTER WEATHER NOTICE: Santa Express and Holiday Flyer trains operate as scheduled regardless of weather conditions. If driving through winter weather please allow extra travel time and arrive at least 30 minutes before your train’s scheduled departure time. For current road conditions, visit https://511wi.gov/.