Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter themed activities.
A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz.
Bring in the new year aboard the New Years Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2025 right.
We’ll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah music and enjoying warm latkas and hot apple cider provided by Chabad by the Sea. Play festive games and win prizes!
*Security will be present
Learn about California's own Coastal Redwood Forest, aboard a 100 year old steam train. Along the journey, hear fascinating information about the coastal redwoods and their ecosystems from docent specialists.
The Easter Bunny makes a stop at Roaring Camp. Hop aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain for an Easter Egg Hunt and participate in Easter activities in Town.
Adults and kids alike will enjoy viewing California Central Coast On30’s large scale model railroad display.
Watch model trains chugging through the Redwoods, around railroad bends and over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Boardwalk with the miniature scale of the Central Coast spread out before them. During your visit be sure to see Roaring Camp’s authentic 1800s steam train.
Drawing on Far West Fungi’s 40 years of experience in the mushroom community, we are gathering the best and the brightest who have shaped the industry to host a massive two-day fungus extravaganza.
Treat Mom to something memorable on her special day with a beautiful Mother’s Day train ride through the towering redwoods. Hallcrest Vineyards will be pouring their local wines for purchase.
New this year - Tintype family portraits by the Midnight Oil Collective
Roaring Camp BBQ Cook-Off
May 24-25
Nationally recognized Pit-Masters and local Grill Gurus alike battle it out for cash prizes, trophies and the honor of having their secret recipes voted Best BBQ at the Roaring Camp Cook-Off. Come hungry and vote for your favorite to win the People's Choice award. Want more than a taste? BBQ vendors will be ready to serve full plates of a variety of BBQ favorites and sides.
This Memorial Day, take the Redwood Forest Steam Train up to Bear Mountain and return. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities.
Heritage sounds like something old. Unless you’re talking Heritage Events at Roaring Camp. Free All Summer Long. Must have valid train ticket to participate in heritage activity.
Salute Dad on Father’s Day by treating him to a ride on the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train and lunch. In addition, enjoy live music at the BBQ where Humble Sea will be pouring the best local brew for sale.
The California Blacksmith Association Presents - The 8th Annual Hammer-In at Roaring Camp Railroads. Watch demonstrators push the boundaries of hot metal, bring ancient techniques to life and share with the community their talent and dedication to the blacksmith craft.
Treat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation at Roaring Camp's Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party. Start with a hearty BBQ dinner followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars.
Forest Train4 hrs
6:00 pm
Activities
Hearty BBQ Dinner
*Vegetarian Options Available
Campfire
Live Music
Line Dancing
4th of July
July 4
This 4th of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music.
Evening train and dinner excursion from the beach to the redwoods. Upon arrival, a delicious barbecue dinner and live music awaits you.
Beach Train4 hrs
5:30 pm
Activities
Hearty BBQ Dinner
*Vegetarian Options Available
Live Music
Dancing
Campfire
Labor Day Weekend
August 30-September 1
This Labor Day Weekend, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music from Steve Bennett.
Roaring Camp and Legend Theatrical presents the 5th Annual Brewgrass Festival. Enjoy Bluegrass music, brews from local breweries and food from popular local food trucks.
Back this year- VIP Brewgrass Tasting Train roundtrip from Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp.
No train scheduled.
Beach Train
11:00 am
Activities
Optional Tasting Train
Live Music
Craft Beer & Cider
Local Food Vendors
Free Kids Activities
Bubble Bonanza
Date TBD
Get ready to step on board the Circus Bubble Train. Zillions of Bubbles will float through the air as you travel down the tracks through the Redwood Forest. Meet the Bubble Ubbles, Mr. Bigz Bubbles and BB Bubbles on the train. Your train ticket also includes a show in the Circus Ring at Bret Harte Hall. Performances by stilters, jugglers, dancers and world renowned bubble magician, Tom Noddy.
Beach Train25 mins
Activities
Bubble Magician Tom Noddy
Live Music by Peter Apel
Circus Show
Circus Themed Activities
Bubble Photos
Kids Club Activites
Harvest Faire
Date TBD
Welcome Fall with the Harvest Faire at Roaring Camp! Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch.
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family.
Thomas Train25 mins
Activities
Photos with Thomas, Percy & Sir Topham Hatt
Thomas Train Play Tables
Pick-A-Pumpkin
Pumpkin Decorating
Live Music with Peter Apel
Mr. Miraculous the Magician
AND MORE!
Holiday Barn Dance
Date TBD
Join us for our first Holiday Line Dance Party in the gorgeous Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp! Instructors will lead you in a variety of line dances.
No train scheduled.
Activities
Line Dancing
Music
Hot-Spiced Cider
Redwood Mountain Faire
Date TBD
The annual Redwood Mountain Faire brings together a wide range of music styles on two stages. The Faire benefits a wide range of nonprofit and service organizations and is organized by the Valley Women's Club of the San Lorenzo Valley.
Take a trip from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Roaring Camp Railroads on the Father's Day Brew Train! Local brewers from Humble Sea will be pouring tastes of some of their favorite beers as you ride the rails from the seas to the trees. Listen to live music on board as we make our way to Roaring Camp. Once you arrive at Roaring Camp join in on the festivities with more live music, gold panning, great bbq lunch and beer available for purchase.
No train scheduled.
Beach Train4 hrs
11:00 am
Activities
Live Music
Tastings from
Humble Sea Brewing
Chuck Wagon BBQ
Gold Panning
Bounce House
Farmer John Tractors
Doc Holiday's Faro Card Game
Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival
August 24-25
Join us for the 10th annual Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival. The weekend welcomes a variety of artists, multiple stages, camping, train rides including the 'Sol Train' shuttle from the Boardwalk and back again in the evening, craft beer, wine, vendors and gourmet food.
Outdoor American BBQ and live music open 12-3PM Friday-Sunday through the summer.
No train scheduled.
Activities
Live Music Schedule
Coming Soon!
Annual Pass
Check out our Annual Pass options as you can save a bundle! All Annual Passes get you unlimited rides on Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Beach Train. If you love our events, Gold and Silver Passes are valid for certain special events and discounts.
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Beach Train4 hrs
Activities
Departing either from the Boardwalk or Roaring Camp and return.
Travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel.
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