All special events, dates and event descriptions are subject to change without notice.

Rain Forest Weekends
January 2-March 28

Learn about California’s own rain forest...its forests of coastal redwoods. Roaring Camp is offering weekend excursions of the Rain Forest by rail January 2 to March 28. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains just a few miles from the ocean, the forest flourishes in moderate temperatures and a year-round water supply provided by frequent Pacific systems and dense fog.

Roaring Camp CEO Georgiana Clark says, “In winter, California’s rain forest is most dramatic. Storms whip branches; foliage glistens; and the air is filled with the aroma of California bay laurel and tanbark oak.” As guests ride at branch level through a virgin forest by steam train, fascinating information about the California coastal redwoods and forest eco-system is revealed.

Trains operate at 12:30 pm Saturdays and Sundays plus Monday, January 18 & Monday, February 15.

Click here for Steam Trains Fares/Timetables.

Click here to purchase advance tickets online.

Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 3 & Sunday, April 4 (Easter Sunday)
Kids take the steam train to Bear Mountain to hunt for thousands of chocolate candy eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny in a redwood forest and win prizes. Special Easter crafts and games for families and kids.

Children must have a train ticket to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. In the event of rain, train cars and Easter Egg Hunt will be under cover.

Click here for Steam Trains Fares/Timetables.

Click here to purchase advance tickets online.

29th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment
May 29, 30 & 31 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Visit encampments of Union and Confederate solders and witness historic battles at one of the longest-running Civil War reenactments in the West. Be advised that occasional loud cannon and gunfire may be heard as part of the re-enactment activities during the day. It is not advisable to bring dogs to this event.

Hats Off to Dad
Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day)
Treat dad to a steam train ride and chuck wagon BBQ and listen to the sounds of live country entertainment. Each lucky dad so honored receives an engineer’s cap. One lucky Dad is selected per train to ride down the mountain in the cab of the locomotive. Model trains on display.

Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party
June 26, August 21, September 18, October 23
A hearty barbecue dinner, live country music, a train ride through a redwood forest lit by flashlight, and a mountaintop bonfire and sing-along. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at (831) 335-4484.

Santa Cruz Starlight Evenings
July 3, 10, 17, 24 & August 14
Wonder at the beauty of a venerable redwood forest lit up at night from Pullman-like coaches and open-air excursion cars of the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway. Smell the aroma of redwoods, pines, tan oaks and madrones while traveling under the stars.

4th of July Celebration
July 3 & 4
Bop on over to Roaring Camp for a Sock Hop and 50’s family 4th of July: Hula Hoop contests, games, live music and all-American barbecue.

Great Train Robberies
July 3-4 & September 4-5-6 (Labor Day Weekend)
Witness shootouts of famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880s at Bear Mountain. Blazing reenactments demonstrate why the West was wild.

Day Out with Thomas
July 30 & 31; August 1, 6, 7 & 8
Join Thomas The Tank Engine™ on a train ride through the Big Trees. Meet Sir Topham Hatt™ and enjoy a day of Thomas activities. Reservations required. Tickets on sale now. For tickets call TicketWeb at 1-866-468-3399.

Click here ror more information and frequently asked questions.

Click here or the button below to order tickets online.

Summer Gathering of Mountain Men
August 14 & 15
Wander through wilderness encampments of trappers and traders as a 1830s summer rendezvous of wild and wooly mountain men is re-created.

Musical Saw Festival
Sunday, August 15
Listen to Blue Grass, Classical and Country music at workshops and jam sessions as musicians perform on Musical Saws and Folk instruments from around the world.

Harvest Fair
October 2 & 3
Celebrate Harvest Time and Halloween. Be creative with hands-on crafts activities for adults and kids. Make and take your own scarecrow. Free pumpkin for each child holding a steam train ticket.

Children’s Ghost Train
October 29 & 30
This is a family and children’s Halloween event! Relive “The Legend of Sleepy Hallow” this Halloween at Roaring Camp as you ride vintage railway cars through a Redwood forest. Named one of the Top 10 Best Family and Children’s Halloween Events by USA Today. Reservations required. For tickets and information, call 831-335-4484.

Holiday Tree Walk
November 26, 27, 28 & December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19
Ring in the holiday season at Roaring Camp’s Holiday Tree Walk. Passengers riding the steam train will delight in the tree-lined walk of festive holiday trees displayed atop Bear Mountain. Guests may sip hot cider and view beautifully adorned trees decorated by area businesses and organizations as they raise funds for their respective organizations. Story-telling for children in the General Store Annex.

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
November 27; December 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23
Ride vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, as they roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Sing along to seasonal carols while sipping hot-spiced cider, listen to musical entertainment, and enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Continue the merriment at Santa’s Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choice of one activity: “Holiday” miniature golf, laser tag, or arcade games, is included with Holiday Lights Train ticket price. Advance reservations recommended.

Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (they do not go to Roaring Camp). 60-minute round-trip excursion. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located at 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, California, 95060. Click here for directions to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.