The grounds will be alive with the sizzling aroma of barbecue. Several nationally renowned vendors will be cooking up mouth watering BBQ ranging from classic favorites to innovative culinary creations. Local craft brewers Shanty Shack will be selling from their rotating tap list of small batch creative beers using locally grown flavors to create everything from Hazy IPAs to sours and pilsners.
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 and three special performances by the Watsonville Community Band.
Forest Train75 mins
Activities
Watsonville Community Band Concert
Buy Tickets
Redwood Mountain Faire
May 31 - June 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Santa Cruz Starlight Evening Dinner Party
July 19, August 9, September 27th
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
SCM Brewgrass Festival
Saturday, August 2
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Lights Train
November 28-29, December 6-7, 13-23
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
Holiday Tree Walk
November 28-30, December 6-7, 13-14, 20-23
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.
Forest Train75 mins
Activities
Visit from Santa
Hot Cider
Winter Themed Activities
Chanukah Train
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
Lighting of the Menorah at 4:45
Chanukah Games
Kosher Refreshments
Dreidel Mascot
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 2025 right.
Beach Train1 hr
Activities
Light-Up Hula Hoopers
Live DJ
Private Cars Available
Call to book
Model Trains
April 12-13
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! Surf City Line Dance instructors will lead you in a variety of line dances to a multitude of hit songs performed by the live band, BARNSTORMER. Light refreshments included with your ticket, including hot cider and apple pie.
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.
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.
Outdoor American BBQ and live music open holiday weekends during 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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