All special events, dates and event descriptions are subject to change without notice.

Rain Forest Weekends
January 3-March 29
Ride an antique steam train through California's rain forest of coastal redwoods as fascinating information about forest ecology and seasonal changes is revealed.

Click here for Steam Trains Fares/Timetables.

Click here to purchase advance tickets in our Online Store.

Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday)
Kiddies hunt for thousands of chocolate candy eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny in a redwood forest and win prizes. Special Easter crafts and games for families and kids.

28th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment
May 23, 24 & 25 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Visit encampments of Union and Confederate solders and witness historic battles at one of the longest-running Civil War reenactments in the West. Be advised that occasional loud cannon and gunfire may be heard as part of the re-enactment activities during the day. It is not advisable to bring dogs to this event.

Hats Off to Dad
Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day)
Treat dad to a steam train ride and chuck wagon BBQ and listen to the sounds of live country entertainment. Each lucky dad so honored receives an engineer’s cap. One lucky Dad is selected per train to ride down the mountain in the cab of the locomotive. Model trains on display.

Great Train Robberies
June 27-28 & September 5-6 (Labor Day Weekend)
Witness shootouts of famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880s at Bear Mountain. Blazing reenactments demonstrate why the West was wild.

Starlight Evenings
June 27, July 4 & 18, August 22 & 29
Wonder at the beauty of a redwood forest lit up at night during a two-hour round-trip railway excursion from the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

4th of July Celebration
July 4
Bop on over to Roaring Camp for a Sock Hop and 50’s family 4th of July: Hula Hoop contests, games, live music and all-American barbecue.

Moonlight Dinner Train
July 11, August 8 & 15, September 26 & October 3
A hearty barbecue dinner, live country music, a train ride through a redwood forest lit by flashlight, and a mountaintop bonfire and sing-along. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

Day Out with Thomas
July 24, 25 & 26; August 1 & 2
Join Thomas The Tank Engine™ on a train ride through the Big Trees. Meet Sir Topham Hatt™ and enjoy a day of Thomas activities. Reservations required. For tickets call TicketWeb at 1-866-468-3399.

Summer Gathering of Mountain Men
August 8 & 9
Wander through wilderness encampments of trappers and traders as a 1830s summer rendezvous of wild and wooly mountain men is re-created.

Musical Saw Festival
Sunday, August 9
Listen to Blue Grass, Classical and Country music at workshops and jam sessions as musicians perform on Musical Saws and Folk instruments from around the world.

Harvest Fair
October 3, 4, 10 & 11
Celebrate Harvest Time with special activities each day: Oct. 3 -- Nature Scavenger Hunt; Oct. 4 -- Scarecrow Making Contest; Oct. 10 -- Happy Howl-o-ween & Doggie Day; Oct. 11 -- Country Dancing. Free pumpkin for each child holding a train ticket.

Ghost Train
October 23 & 24
This is a family and children's Halloween event! Ride the train through a redwood forest as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated. Designed for children and young-at-heart, this event is a light and lively adaptation of the famous tale. Reservations required. For tickets and information, call 831-335-4484.

Holiday Tree Walk
November 27, 28 & 29
Ride the steam train to Bear Mountain and view holiday trees decorated by youth and community groups along the Holiday Tree Walk.

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
November 28; December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 & 21
Ride a beautifully lit holiday train through the streets of Santa Cruz as you sip hot-spiced cider, sing holiday carols and meet Santa Claus. Reservations suggested.