The Exciting Calendar of Events Include Visits with Santa Claus, Decadent Gourmet Meals, Festively Decorated Train Cars, Carolers, and More
September 4, 2025 (Napa, CA) — The Napa Valley Wine Train, a memorable experience that evokes the spirit of luxury rail travel, announced the return of its beloved holiday tradition aboard the Santa Train, a seasonal adventure for the whole family. Transforming the Napa Valley Wine Train’s exquisitely restored antique rail cars into a magical journey from November 28 to December 23, guests will get in the merry spirit with hot cider, cheerful carolers, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and more. Guests of the Santa Train can choose from four distinctive experiences – Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails, or the Very Merry Vista Dome. A three-course holiday-inspired gourmet menu will be available on select journeys.
“The holidays are a joyful time for family and friends to create memories that they can cherish for a lifetime, and we keep that in mind when creating our full calendar of Santa Train experiences,” said Nathan Davis, general manager of the Napa Valley Wine Train. “Whether a family books our holiday events as an annual tradition or experiences the magic for the first time, we look forward to welcoming our guests and hope it is a highlight of their festive season.”
The Napa Valley Wine Train is proud to partner with Expressions of Hope for the holiday season, a Napa-based foster youth organization. Guests are encouraged to bring toys and clothes for foster youth (ages birth to 17 years of age) to drop off at the depot. Additionally, on December 10, the Wine Train will host the Boys and Girls Club Napa for their own community night. A portion of proceeds from the Santa Train season will be donated to Napa Firewise.
Before boarding each Santa Train experience, guests will enjoy:
- Welcome cup of hot cider or cocoa
- Cheerful carolers at the station
- Merry Mailing Center for postcards to Santa
- Festive pajamas and holiday gifts for purchase in the Wine Shop
- Expressions of Hope toy drop off
The 2025 Santa Train experiences are as follows:
Santa’s Cookie Car
Step into a world of holiday cheer aboard Santa’s Cookie Car, where guests will enjoy hot cocoa, delight in a scrumptious holiday cookie, and create lasting memories with a visit from Santa himself in a cozy, festive atmosphere decorated with twinkling lights and cheerful music. The journey is filled with festive moments including a magical viewing of the North Pole, brought to life by our brave partners at the Yountville Fire Station. The train ride is from 5:40-7:40 p.m. on select dates with Santa’s Workshop photos available from 4-5 p.m. on first come first served basis.
Gourmet Holiday Express
Make wonderful memories with loved ones on the Gourmet Holiday Express. Guests will enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner aboard the antique Pullman dining car which will be outfitted with festive décor and holiday music. The experience includes a meal of scrumptious bites and sweet sips, three potential visits with Santa (including tableside), complete with digital and printed photo perfect for posting and framing. Dinner guests are encouraged to arrive at the station early to partake in our seasonal homemade hot cider, professional trio of holiday carolers, and to enjoy an interactive photo opportunity with Santa in his workshop, hosted by our trained team of photographers. The train ride is from 5:40-7:40 p.m. on select dates.
Jingle on the Rails
Jingle & mingle with Kris Kringle in the festive Pullman lounge car with a lavish peppermint theme décor. Guests can make their season bright and enjoy a Santa-approved, kid-friendly three-course gourmet holiday dinner from the expert culinary team complete with a signature fresh baked cookie and hot cocoa on the Jingle on the Rails experience. The train ride is from 5:40-7:40 p.m. on select dates.
Very Merry Vista Dome
Elevate the jolly journey in the elegant Verry Merry Vista Dome car. Onboard, guests will indulge in a decadent evening filled with exquisite cuisine for the food lover and soak in the sights, sounds, flavors and merriment of the season all from the train’s luxurious observation-style dining car. This festive culinary adventure includes a kid-friendly three-course Napa Valley inspired holiday dinner, digital and printed photo with Santa, surprise tableside visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Guests are encouraged to book tickets together to guarantee seating with their party. Parties of 1 – 20 must call (707) 253-2111, and groups of over 21 must call (707) 253-0920. Free parking is available in the Napa Valley Wine Train’s parking lot however space is limited. Cocktails, local wine and beer are not included with the cost of the ticket but are available for purchase. For more information on visiting the Napa Valley Wine Train visit www.winetrain.com.
About the Napa Valley Wine Train
One of the few active historic passenger railroads in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers an engaging and memorable experience that echoes the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multi-course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation aboard exquisitely restored antique rail cars. The Napa Valley Wine Train features vintage Pullman rail cars faithfully restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and luxurious armchairs that evoke the spirit of luxury rail travel at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Napa Valley Wine Train holds a level 1 Green Key Meetings rating. It has been identified as a destination that has taken first steps to reduce environmental impacts by analyzing its meetings and conference operations and identifying opportunities for improvement. An action plan focusing on resource conservation and waste minimization has been established, and is supported by a firm commitment to continual improvement.
In 2015, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. – a collection of luxury hotels and resorts purchased the historic and iconic Napa Valley Wine Train expanding its portfolio to include attractions in the destinations its hotels call home.
About Noble House Hotels & Resorts
The Noble House Hotels & Resorts portfolio is a collection of 29 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts, and experiences across North America—all designed for discerning travelers seeking to escape the daily routine. Noble House can be trusted to unlock the most authentic experiences in the most compelling destinations. This promise is delivered through their carefully curated collection that pairs boutique local charm with consistent high service and comfort standards. All concepts within their collection offer immersive, active adventure experiences that bring out the best of their destinations. Headquartered in Seattle, their family-owned business philosophy creates value for each concept’s community, environment, ownership, staff, and guests. The portfolio includes: over 75 restaurants, bars, and lounges; the Napa Valley Wine Train; a collection of spas, marinas, and private residences throughout the U.S., and Mexico; a range of beachfront resorts from California to Florida; luxury retreats in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and award-winning urban hotels in Seattle and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.noblehousehotels.com or call 877.NOBLE.TRIP.
