As we dove into the holiday season, my daughter and I were excited to try the Strasburg Rail Road’s Santa Train Ride in Pennsylvania. We had zero expectations, but it ended up being a fantastic adventure!
It turns out that this year, the Strasburg Rail Road features several Black Santas, and we will share how to book your experience so you can see one.
We also created a list of Santa Train Rides covering Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. If you are looking for something closer to you, I’ve got you covered!
Black Santa Train Ride in PA by yatzuri thomas6 Things to know about the Strasburg Rail Road
This Black Santa Train Ride experience is located at 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572; tickets must be purchased in advance using this link here.
Before booking your tickets for the Black Santa Experience, please check the schedule we have listed on this post. The Schedule ONLY highlights the dates, times, and train cars where all of the Black Santa will be.
Don’t be late! Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Tickets are non-refundable, and latecomers won’t be accommodated.
Bring snacks! Eat before or pack goodies; onboard options are limited (alcoholic drinks, snacks, and light bites are offered for an additional fee).
Dress comfy! It gets pretty warm inside the train.
Be sure to use the bathroom before your ride, as the train does not have a restroom.
Post-Santa vibes! Review and purchase photos taken with Black Santa (I paid $25 for two printed pics).
Bring stamped envelopes for letters to Santa, and he’ll write back!
Have FUN; we need to continue to support this type of event because representation matters.
About Our Experience
We sprang for First Class Lounge 118 tickets to ensure my daughter felt comfortable, as it only seats up to 18 people. This way, we’d have plenty of space and smaller crowds. This train car features a Black Santa.
Pre-Ride Fun Things to do:
– Hung out with Mrs. Claus
– Wrote letters to Santa
– Enjoyed Christmas tunes and performances
– Explored the gift shop
– Rode those adorable cranky cars and mini steam trains (included with our tickets and only open until 4:00 PM)
– There’s a train museum across the railroad if you want to explore more.
All Aboard!
When we boarded, the staff offered snacks and drinks. We snagged complimentary cookies and hot cocoa (and I might’ve indulged in some wine and treats too)! Our tickets included one free cookie and hot cocoa per person.
The Main Event
Then, an elf delivered a sweet gift, followed by holiday performers. Finally, Black Santa arrived! He was warm, kind, and totally relatable. My daughter lit up chatting and joking with him. We even got professional photos taken!
After the Ride
We grabbed our photos ($25 for two printed and digital copies) and left with memories to cherish.
Insider Tips
1. The ride will only last for about 45 minutes
2. GET THERE ON TIME
Black Santa Schedule for 2024
What should you look for when you buy your tickets?
Select your experience
If you click “learn more,” you will see more information about each train car, its capacity, and most importantly, the TRAIN CAR NUMBER.” (You need to pay attention to what you purchase, as not all of the cars will have a Black Santa)
Buy Your Tickets and be sure you’ve selected the correct car number. The Black Santa will be in that number.
About the coach cars
So, the coach cars won’t have a number when you buy them. SO, GET THERE EARLY and get in line to board the correct coach train #.
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. LOL!
I hope you find this post helpful!
