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.
Begin with a scenic steam train ride to the top of Bear Mountain, then hike your way back into town while learning the core skills of safe mushroom foraging, identification, and fungal ecology. Led by Maya Elson.
Welcome to the second installment of the cozy Winter Warmer Festival inside Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp. Let’s bring the community together to boogie a little bit when the days are short and there’s fewer things happening around town.
In addition to a day of great live music from some of our favorite Bay Area musicians, the festival will feature art vendors, full coffee bar, local craft beer & wine, free 10-minute massages, fresh churros, food artisans, family-friendly, supervised kids activities and most importantly, a S’mores Bar!
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.
Join us for our Spring Line Dance Party in the gorgeous Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp! Instructors will lead you in a variety of line dances to a multitude of hit songs. Snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages available to purchase at the venue.
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.
Get ready to step on board the Bubble Train. Zillions of Bubbles will float through the air as you travel down the tracks through the Redwood Forest. Sing Bubble songs with the phenomenal Peter Apel on a 20 minute train ride full of bubble fun. Your train ticket also includes a 20 minute show inside Bret Harte Hall.
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.
Immerse yourself in the majesty of the ancient redwoods with this new art and light installation in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Lighted lanterns hang high overhead surrounded by thousand year old redwoods that are uplit to create a unique and awe-inspiring retreat back to nature.
No train scheduled.
Activities
Lighted walk through the redwoods
General Store open for snacks and glow sticks
Food Trucks
Local Beer and Wine
Lumberjack Days
May 23-24
Step back into the days of steel, steam, and timber at Roaring Camp’s first annual Lumberjack Days, celebrating the heritage of West Coast logging. Watch skilled competitors face off in classic lumberjack events as they battle time and timber. Join us for a lively tribute to logging history as contestants compete for the title of Bull of the Woods.
The annual Redwood Mountain Faire brings together a wide range of music styles on two stages. The Faire benefits nonprofit and service organizations and is organized by the Valley Women's Club of the San Lorenzo Valley.
Activities
Live Music
Fine Arts & Crafts
Kids Activities
Local Brews & Wines
Father’s Day BBQ
Sunday, June 21
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 Shanty Shack will be pouring the best local brew for sale.
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.
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.
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.
Nationally recognized Pit-Masters battle it out for cash prizes, trophies and the honor of having their secret recipes voted Best BBQ at the Roaring Camp Cook-Off. BBQ vendors will be ready to serve full plates of a variety of BBQ favorites and sides. This event has no entry fee.
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.
Join us in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains for the 5th Annual Brewgrass Festival. Soak up the sounds of live Bluegrass music under the towering redwoods, sip on craft brews from local breweries, and dig into delicious eats from your favorite food trucks.
Beach Train
11:00 am
Activities
Optional Tasting Train
Live Music
Craft Beer & Cider
Local Food Vendors
Free Kids Activities
Santa Cruz Starlight Evening Dinner Party
June 13, July 11, August 22, September 12
Ride, dine, and dance! Board the Beach Train at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and ride into Roaring Camp. When you arrive, enjoy dinner and a boot stompin' good time to a live band. Your round-trip ticket takes you back to the Boardwalk with an evening ride beneath the stars.
Beach Train4 hrs
5:30 pm
Activities
Hearty BBQ Dinner
*Vegetarian Options Available
Live Music by: The Rounder Circle
Dancing
Campfire
Moonlight Dinner Party
June 27, July 25, September 6 & 26
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 by: Rory Lynch
Line Dancing
Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 25 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
Bounce Houses
Bubble station
Live Music with Peter Apel
Mr. Miraculous the Magician
AND MORE!
Holiday Tree Walk
November 27-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-23
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.
Beach Train1 hr
Activities
Holiday Sing-Along
Live Music
Hot-Spiced Cider
Santa Visit
Chanukah Train
2026 Date TBD
We’ll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah music and enjoying warm latkes and hot apple cider provided by Chabad by the Sea. Play festive games and win prizes!
*Security will be present
Beach Train1 hr
5:00 pm
Activities
Warm Latkas & Apple Cider
Games, Treats & Prizes
Dreidel Mascot
Chanukah Music
Fun for all ages!
New Year’s Train
December 26-31
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 2026 right.
Beach Train1 hr
Activities
Light-Up Hula Hoopers
Live DJ
Private Cars Available
Call to book
Chuck Wagon BBQ
Outdoor American BBQ and live music open holiday weekends during summer.
No train scheduled.
Activities
Live Music Schedule
Coming Soon!
Redwood Forest Steam Train
Departing Daily
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.
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.
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