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Holiday Express

Holiday Express Holiday Express
blue box

Santa is Coming to Town!

December 7, 8, 14, 15, 2024

Join Santa for a magical experience as the COASTER Holiday Express train travels down the coastline!

Santa Claus and his merry carolers will be on board for the hour-long trip full of fun with songs, storytelling, gifts for children and Santa’s wish list!

*New! A magical Holiday Express night train was added on Dec. 14, don’t miss out!

How  to Come Aboard

 

 Tickets

Tickets are sold out! Each attendee must have a ticket to board. Children ages 2 and under are free. (See more details below)

 Event Day

COASTER Holiday Express
Oceanside Transit Center
235 S. Tremont Street
Oceanside, CA 92054

Parking is free at the Oceanside Transit Center. Once parked, follow the signs to Platform 1. Find the line number that corresponds with the car section on your ticket (signage will be available).

Strollers, car seats, bikes, food and drinks are not permitted on board for this event.

Prior to boarding, be prepared to show Santa’s helpers tickets for each guest to be scanned.

Boarding will begin 20 minutes prior to departure. Holiday Express trains leave on time and cannot be held for late patrons. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, find their appropriate line and enjoy the entertainment on the train platform prior to boarding.

 Seating

Pick a seat, any seat! Holiday Express has open seating, both upstairs and downstairs. There is no assigned seating or saving seats for those who do not board with you. Large groups are encouraged to arrive and line up early.  Due to sellout crowds, there is no guarantee that large groups will be able to sit together.

 On Board

The train will depart on time for an approximately 60-minute trip down to the Solana Beach Station and back without stopping.  During the ride, carolers and holiday characters will greet guests on the train cars, perform songs, read a book and hand out wish lists to fill out for Santa.

 Send Your Letter to the North Pole

Once the Holiday Express arrives back at the Oceanside Transit Center, a mailbox will be available for children to drop off their wish lists for Santa.

Purchase Tickets

Santa and his helpers will visit each train car, so choose whichever car you prefer. All attendees will need to purchase a ticket. (Children ages 2 and under are free).

Participants must utilize the seating areas. For safety reasons, we ask everyone to remain seated during the duration of the train ride. Children ages 2 and under must be seated in the lap of an adult (car seats are not allowed on board).

Any guest who uses a mobility device is invited to purchase a ticket in Car #1.

Tickets, either electronically on your phone or printed out, will be scanned before boarding. Please have tickets out and ready so boarding is efficient.

Strollers, car seats, bikes, food and drinks are not permitted on board for this event.

Holiday Express Tickets are $20

Tickets are sold out!

December 7, 8, 15, 2024
10:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m.
December 14, 2024
10:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Change Tickets
To change a ticket (date, time or train car), visit https://coasterholidayexpress.seetickets.com/customerservice.

Log in with your order number and email address and click on “Refunds and Exchanges” (Holiday Express tickets are Non-Refundable), then click “Exchange Tickets.”

Select the new date and time you want to attend, please ensure you “Check Availability,” and if tickets are available, you will be taken to a checkout page. Review the new order and click “Continue” to proceed. If your selection is valid, there is a final opportunity to review and change the request.

Click “Exchange Tickets” and a confirmation appears to exchange the tickets and the action is irreversible. If you want to proceed, click “Yes.” Details of your updated tickets will appear, and tickets will be available to download.

Holiday Express Food Drive

During the Holiday Express event, NCTD will be collecting canned food to help the nearly 1.1 million people, including 284,500 are 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. Please consider supporting people in need by bringing the following items:

  • canned meats
  • canned vegetables
  • canned fruits
  • peanut butter
  • pasta, rice
  • cereal, oatmeal

Large red, North County Food Bank barrels will be placed on the train platform for your donations.

*New! Families will be able to donate virtually. More information coming soon!


Notice of Filming

By attending NCTD’s Holiday Express, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity to your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the promotion of the COASTER Holiday Express and/or NCTD.

You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event.


Terms and Conditions

Each passenger must present a ticket to board the COASTER Holiday Express on a designated day. Every person must have a ticket (children ages 2 and under are free). Tickets are non-refundable. COASTER Holiday Express is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10. Please do not bring food, beverages, strollers, or bicycles on board the train. Water and small snacks are permitted. Total trip time is approximately 60 minutes. The 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. and 5:15 pm only on December 14, 2024. trains will leave from the Oceanside Transit Center and will not make stops at other COASTER stations. Train departs on time. Plan to arrive at the Oceanside Transit Center at least 30 minutes prior to your departure to find parking and get in line. The Oceanside Transit Center is located at 235 S. Tremont Street, Oceanside 92054. COASTER Holiday Express will operate rain or shine. No Refunds or exchanges for tickets. All sales are final.

For more information from North County Transit District, visit GoNCTD.com.

If you have any questions, please email Communications@nctd.org