Hop Aboard South Carolina’s Santa Express for a Warm Dose of Holiday Magic

Calling all Santa fans... This magical Christmas train ride in South Carolina is returning this year, and it's the closest thing to Polar Express rides that you'll find. For an enchanting experience that the whole family will enjoy, head to Winnsboro for a ride on the Santa Express SC train. The South Carolina Railroad Museum has you covered each year with enchanting Christmas train rides in South Carolina you won't soon forget.

All aboard the Santa Express SC on the Rockton, Rion & Western! It's one of the best family-friendly events in South Carolina during the holiday season.

This amazing Christmas train in South Carolina is sure to delight the whole family and create memories that will be treasured for years to come. You'll get to ride in a historic train car decorated for the holidays. Santa will make his rounds to be sure to visit with every single passenger, and you'll also get a special treat for the ride.

The children, especially, will get a special thrill from listening to Christmas stories as they're read aloud for part of this magical ride. And a personal visit with Jolly Old Saint Nick provides enough time to tell Santa a Christmas wish or two.

In addition to the daytime Santa Trains, there's also a nighttime Twilight Santa Train that features hot chocolate and cookies as well as personal visits with Santa while traveling on the train.

The Santa Train in South Carolina runs on the first three Saturdays in December, while the Twilight Santa Trains run on the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December. The events last about 90 minutes, or until Santa has met with every child on board.

Tickets sell out quickly for this incredible experience, and they went on sale at the beginning of October. Visit the South Carolina Railroad Museum website to purchase your tickets and learn more about this seasonal event. The museum hosts several themed train rides throughout the year, covering everything from Easter (Bunny Eggspress) to Halloween (the Pumpkin Patch Express). We personally love the BBQ dinner trains in the spring and summer!

Have you ridden the Santa Train at the South Carolina Railroad Museum? If not, make this the year to ride it! Learn more and buy tickets at this link on the official website of The South Carolina Railroad Museum. You can also follow the official Facebook page of The South Carolina Railroad Museum for event updates.

Don't miss this magical Christmas event in South Carolina. If you want to turn your holiday day trip to Winnsboro into a weekend getaway, consider staying at this cozy and charming tiny home on Lake Wateree.

Feeling inspired? Check out our ultimate guide to winter in South Carolina, and try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.