The Christmas Train

The 12th Annual Christmas Train

Hosted by Volunteers, the entire event helps the development and programs Kirby Family Farm offers at-risk and special needs children who need a friend, or a farm, to help them through life's challenges. The children and teens have worked hard helping prepare and setup this wonderful family holiday experience.

It's all held on-site at Kirby Family Farm in Williston, FL, which is located just outside of Ocala and Gainesville, Florida, approximately twenty minutes from Interstate 75.

We welcome you to the 2023 Christmas Train at Kirby Family Farm! It’s our 12th year hosting this Holiday fun for the whole family. It's a Christmas tradition for SO MANY families that support our organization. Your contributions support the development and outreach programs for at-risk, foster, medically needy, and special needs children. Pick you night early as many nights sellout.

Experience the Florida's Christmas Train! You’ll get to see Christmas lights like you’ve never seen before as you take the 20-minute journey around the Kirby Family Farm property on our authentic, narrow-gauge historic locomotive. But The Christmas Train is so much more than a train ride! The Christmas Train is a wonderful holiday event that runs on select nights in November and December.

Enjoy the Christmas Train and more when you visit!

THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN!

The highlight of the evening is a featured train ride pulled by one of the farm’s 100 year old locomotives through thousands and thousands of Christmas lights. It’s an experience your family won’t forget.

CHRISTMAS BUDDIES MEET & GREET AND DANCE PARTY!

Visit with Christmas friends throughout the evening. Pictures are FREE with your camera or phone! Plus there's a DANCE Party!

VISIT WITH OL' SAINT NICK HIMSELF!

Discover why so many people come year after year to see "our" Santa Claus. Pictures are FREE with your camera or phone! Please note to follow recommended health safety guidelines children will not actually be sitting on Santa's lap this year. There will be a very cozy setting though that captures the magic of Santa with your little ones and family.

ANTIQUE FERRIS WHEEL!

See lights from atop our 1950 fully restored Smith and Smith Ferris Wheel!

CHRISTMAS MAGIC! MAGIC SHOW

Enjoy a magic show fun for the whole family at the depot stage.

TAKE A TRACTOR RIDE TO A LOST CHRISTMAS TOWN

Be sure to board one of our wagons pulled by tractor as you embark on a fun trip to hear a short Christmas Story!

SECRET ELF SHOPPE!

Children 10 & Under (Under 18 for foster and special needs youth) get to pick out one free gift for themselves or someone special. (All toys and gifts are NEW!)

ITALIAN CAROUSEL!

Ride the carousel perfect for the Christmas spirit.

RIDES!

We always have a few extra rides running due to the generosity of some of our corporate partners. From entertaining children’s rides to a wagon ride for the whole family, there is likely something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the Dates and Times of the Christmas Train?

Friday November 24, 2023 kicks it all off. Then the Christmas Train chugs its way through the Holiday season on certain nights throughout the month of December. Gates open at 6:00 pm, guests with Advance Registration get first entry. The first train ride is scheduled to leave at 6:30 pm and trains run approximately every half hour. Last ride is at 9:00 pm if necessary. All included activities stop accepting guests at 9:00 pm and gates close promptly at 10:00 pm each evening.

Quick Glance Christmas Train Dates:

Friday, November 24, 2023

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Friday, December 8, 2023

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Friday, December 15, 2023

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Friday, December 22, 2023

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

How much are tickets and who needs one?
We ask for a $17.99 contribution per person in advance, ages 10 and up, $20 at the gate if available. Children ages 3-9 are $10.99 in advance and $15 at the gate if available. Children 2 and under are FREE, no contribution is requested. Children 2 and under may be required to sit on their parent or guardians lap aboard the train. For advance tickets, click on the ticket button at the top of this page.

Do you offer a Fast-Pass option?

By popular request, we are offering a Fast-Pass add-on this year. Fast-Pass together with your ticket will allow holder to advance to the front of the line access for the Christmas Train as well as the tractor ride, and any operating amusement rides. Fast Pass DOES NOT include visits with Santa or The Elf Shoppe. There is a VERY limited number of Fast-Passes available each night and we request an additional $10 for Fast-Pass option. Fast-Pass option is available in advance as well and will show up on the Ticket Order page.

On a tight budget?

While we pride ourselves in being the most affordable and best value for a full-size Christmas Train experience in Florida, not to mention all the extras included in addition to the train ride, we realize some families are on a limited budget. We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to experience the Christmas Train or any other event. We offer a Help us, help you program and it’s easy to participate. When you volunteer a day, you can receive an all-inclusive pass to use for yourself or share with someone else as a gift to come as our guest. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome. For more details on the Help Us, Help You program, just email us at info@kirbyfarm.com

What does my ticket include?

Entrance onto the farm

Featured ride through thousands and thousands of Christmas lights aboard our old-fashioned railroad

See Ol' Saint Nick himself in Santa's Cottage (Pictures are free with your device)

Secret Elf Shoppe (Children 10 and under pick out a FREE gift.)

Tractor ride to a Lost Christmas Town to hear a short Christmas Story

Ride on the Kirby’s imported Italian carousel

Christmas Mascot buddies will be roaming the event areas (Pictures are free with your device)

Ride the Antique Ferris Wheel

The Christmas Magic Magic Show

Christmas Buddies Dance Party

Additional amusement rides for different ages

Extra costs include any food purchases or souvenirs.

*Please note the experience on December 26 after Christmas does not offer all the activities as the before Christmas experience dates. After December 25 does not include a visit with Santa and the Elf Shoppe. It does include all other activities listed above.

How can I get tickets in advance?
You can Pre-Register! Space is limited for each night of operation. To best serve our guests and ensure that they are able to enjoy every aspect of the evening, we recommend pre-registration for admission. Pre-registration may also allow you advance entry.

Where do I Pre-register for tickets?
You can Pre-register online at our Online Ticket Center. In the event tickets are still available for a particular night, they will be available at the gate. Many event nights SELL OUT. If you plan on waiting until the day of the event PLEASE check in advance for availability. For advance tickets, click on the ticket button at the top of this page.

What are will-call tickets?
Guests may need to pick up their passes at our will-call kiosks upon arrival. Our friendly volunteer family members will be on hand to assist with will-call tickets. Please have photo ID and confirmation number for verification.

Are there any refunds or exchanges?
There are no refunds or exchange. All monies received are collected as a donation supporting the Kirby Family Farm educational organization and museum and its programs for at-risk and special needs children. We recommend that you verify your dates with family and friends before selecting tickets. Tickets cannot be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Due to overwhelming demand, tickets are only valid for the event, date, and time for which they were issued.

What time should I arrive?
Gates open at 6pm. Advance Ticket holders may be granted early entry. We cannot admit guests onto the farm or have food services available to you until 6pm. The first train leaves at 6:30pm and run each half hour.

What can I bring with me?
Bring folding chairs the movies are back! Camcorders and cameras are welcome. Folding chairs and blankets are welcome. It’s a BIG place, bring something to relax whenever you want! Profanity, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and firearms are not permitted on the premises. Smoking and tobacco use is permitted in designated smoking area only. No pets are allowed.

Where exactly is The Christmas Train located?
The Christmas Train can be found at Kirby Family Farm, a 501c3 Not for Profit Educational farm located in Williston, Florida. On select nights in November and December, Kirby Family Farm is transformed into a Christmas wonderland and unforgettable holiday attraction the whole family can enjoy. The address is 19650 NE 30th Street, Williston, FL 32696, For travel directions, check out our Map & Directions button at the top of this page.

Are there places to eat at the event?
We offer boiled peanuts, hotdogs, hamburgers, nachos, ribbon Fries, funnel cakes, cotton candy, Kettle popped popcorn, drinks, and other snacks. We offer picnic tables to enjoy your meal or you’re welcome to bring folding chairs. Some vendors typically don’t accept credit or debit cards. We recommend bringing some extra cash if you anticipate food purchases.

May we bring our own coolers with food and drink?
Sorry, we do not permit coolers or outside food or beverages onto the Kirby Family Farm. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises.

What about large groups?
We are able to accommodate any size groups with advance registration. Bus access is available. Groups of 50 or more with advance registration can ride on their own railroad car, groups of 200 or more can ride on their own train. For groups of 20 or more we can arrange custom package values that can include meal vouchers and additional featured activities. We encourage large groups to arrive no later than 5:30 to be able to enjoy the first train ride out, enabling them to enjoy other activities as their schedule allows. Group reservations and additional information are available now by contacting us at info@kirbyfarm.com.

What happens in the case of inclement weather?
This event is rain or shine. We do everything in our power to remain open for all event dates. In the case of high winds we may not be able to offer all activities for safety reasons. The Christmas Express does not give refunds or exchanges to those who are unable to attend their scheduled night due to weather conditions. In the rare case of a cancellation, we will post a notice online, as well as update our main phone recording at 352-812-7435. Tickets for an upcoming date or future visit may be offered at the discretion of management in the event of a cancellation.

Is this event wheel chair and stroller accessible?
Kirby Family Farm has hosted several guests in wheelchairs and strollers. The train is wheelchair accessible. We recommend you use discretion as it is a farm and the terrain is as such.

Kirby Family Farm is open year around offering its outreach programs and educational experiences. Like many other educational facilities and museums, periodically during the year the organization invites supporters to come out for themed events as our way to say Thank you, educate, and raise awareness about the programs and mission of Kirby Family Farm.

We take the opportunity of these themed events one step further and use them as a teaching and practice tool that enables the teens and young people we work with to interact with strangers in supervised settings. They help the youth to utilize and share their knowledge of our exhibits. We witness the results greatly help to develop life skills that will benefit them in the workforce and daily communication with others in common society settings.

The youth and all the volunteers are passionate and dedicated to offering an experience you can remember!

These events benefit the programs and development of Kirby Family Farm. Kirby Family Farm is a 501c3 educational facility working with at-risk and special needs children. Each year thousands children visit the farm through various programs and events at no cost, thanks in part to great folks like you who believe in the mission of Kirby Family Farm. So come out in support with your family and having a great time!

All monies received are collected as a donation supporting the cost and development of the Kirby Family Farm, a 501c3 not for profit organization.