Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train (2026): Jolly Journeys
Published: August 27, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Wine country’s Christmas train is the Santa Train Jolly Journeys on the Napa Valley Wine Train from downtown Napa. The railroad has run a Santa train for more than 30 years. You check in at McKinstry Street Station, ride the 36-mile round trip toward St. Helena, and meet Santa at the table. Four 2026 products sit on the same train: Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails, and the Very Merry Vista Dome. This is a dining-train Christmas ride, not a licensed Polar Express event. California Polar Express is in Sacramento, Jamestown, and Perris.
The Napa Valley Wine Train's Santa Train is a popular, upscale take on a holiday train ride. Confirm the 2026 calendar, times, and pricing before you travel. Napa Valley Wine Train photo.
About the Napa Valley Wine Train
The Wine Train operates former Southern Pacific Napa Valley track from 1275 McKinstry Street in downtown Napa to St. Helena and back. The regular product is gourmet dining in restored Pullmans and a vista dome. Santa Train is the family overlay: same railroad, holiday menu, and a tableside Santa. Adult wine is available; the holiday menu also lists kid plates such as chicken tenders.
Related: California Christmas trains · California Polar Express · National Christmas hub
2026 Santa Train — At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Santa Train Jolly Journeys (four classes) |
| Location | McKinstry Street Station, 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, California 94559 |
| 2026 dates | Evening Santa Train through the holiday season (confirm live calendar). Afternoon Jolly Journeys December 21, 22, and 23, 2026 |
| Duration | About 2 hours on the train after station time (evening sample: board ~5:30, depart 6:10, return 8:00) |
| Route | 36 miles round trip, Napa–St. Helena |
| Typical fares | Premium dining-train pricing; adult and child rates on all four Santa products. Confirm live on winetrain.com |
| Official site | winetrain.com/our-experiences/santa-train-jolly-journeys |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the Wine Train before booking. Information compiled August 24, 2026. This is a Christmas train—not a licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event.
What the Ride Is Like
Evening sample itinerary from the 2026 page: check-in at 4:00 p.m. with cider, a holiday wishlist mailbox, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Boarding is called around 5:25–5:30. The train leaves at 6:10 and is back at 8:00. Pick up included photos before you leave. Afternoon trains on December 21–23 start around 10:15 a.m., depart 12:25, and return about 2:25 p.m.
Santa’s Cookie Car is the lighter product: cider or cocoa, a holiday cookie, and a Santa visit. The three dining products (Gourmet Holiday Express in a Pullman diner, Jingle on the Rails in a lounge, Very Merry Vista Dome) add a three-course kid-friendly dinner, cookie and cocoa, a tableside Santa visit, and digital plus printed photos. Menus published for 2026 include salad, an entrée choice (beef, salmon, risotto, chicken tenders, and similar), and cocoa or cider. The Wine Train is cashless.
Classes of Service & Onboard
- Santa’s Cookie Car: Cocoa or cider, cookie, Santa visit. Lowest step into the Santa Train.
- Gourmet Holiday Express: Pullman diner, three-course meal, Santa photo package
- Jingle on the Rails: Lounge car, three-course meal, Santa photo package
- Very Merry Vista Dome: Dome dining, three-course meal, Santa photo package
- Wine, beer, and holiday cocktails are sold; non-alcoholic “Elves’ Delights” are on the beverage list
Tickets & Practical Information
- Booking: winetrain.com or 1-800-427-4124 / 707-253-2111. Seats are limited, especially the three afternoon dates.
- Station: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa. Downtown lodging (Napa River Inn, River Terrace Inn, and others) is walking distance.
- Dress: This is a dining train. Festive outfits work; pajamas are less the culture here than at heritage steam Santa trains.
- Polar Express: California licensed Polar is at CSRM Sacramento, Railtown 1897, and SCRM Perris—California Polar hub.
Tips for the Best Experience
- If you have small children and do not want a full dinner, Cookie Car is the honest fit.
- If you want the dome, book it first. That car is the smallest.
- Build downtown Napa parking or a hotel into the 4:00 p.m. check-in. Do not cut it close.
- This is a different night from a Polar Express ride in Sacramento. Pick one product and book that ticket.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- California Christmas Train Rides
- California Polar Express Train Rides
- Christmas Train Ride Locations 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event dates on the Napa Valley Wine Train website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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