Popular, affordable family holiday event returns to North County
Oceanside, CA – The magical COASTER Holiday Express is coming back to town! North County Transit District is hosting this popular annual event that has become a holiday tradition for many families. The Holiday Express offers an enchanted 60-minute round-trip train ride from Oceanside to Solana Beach where children of all ages are invited to visit with Santa Claus and his merry friends.
Tickets for this event go on sale 9 a.m., Thursday, November 2, 2023 at https://coasterholidayexpress.seetickets.com/.
Twelve Holiday Express trains will run on two consecutive Saturdays and Sundays, December 2-3 and December 9-10 with departures at 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. each day.
The Holiday Express departs rain or shine from the Oceanside Transit Center and takes passengers on a journey down the beautiful coastline with guests riding on the festively decorated COASTER train and visiting with Santa. During the ride, children and adults will also be treated to entertaining carolers and storytelling, write their own personal letter to Santa Claus, and spend time with snow princesses. Children will receive a small gift. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment on the platform while waiting to depart. Buddy the Elf, holiday carolers, and bands from La Costa Canyon High School and San Elijo Middle School will add extra holiday magic to the experience.
Tickets are $20 per person, children 2 and younger sitting on a lap ride free.
Holiday Express Dates/Times:
Saturday, December 2: 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 3: 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 9: 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 10: 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
During the event, NCTD will host the second annual Holiday Express Food Drive to help the 758,000 people, including 199,000 children, in San Diego County who face nutrition insecurity. The food collected will be donated to the North County Food Bank to distribute directly to people in need in our local communities. We invite event attendees to bring the following items:
canned meats
canned vegetables
canned fruits
peanut butter
pasta, rice
cereal, oatmeal
North County Food Bank red collection barrels will be on the train platform for donated items.
For more information, guests can visit GoNCTD.com/holidayexpress.
Photos available upon request.
