Bring your favorite people aboard for Santa visits, cocoa and caroling, stories from Raleigh’s Christmas past, or a spirited holiday night out. Choose your experience—or start with the date that works for you.
Meeting Santa with the little ones? Singing along with friends? Discovering a different side of Raleigh? Find the ride that fits your crew.
Make the journey part of the Christmas magic.
Santa Express brings families aboard The Great Raleigh Trolley for holiday music, story time, a visit with Santa and opportunities for family photos — all wrapped into a festive trolley ride through the season.
If a Christmas train ride, Santa experience or family holiday outing is on your Raleigh wish list, climb aboard the trolley and make a memory of your own.
Choose your date to see every holiday tour and departure available that day.
Prime evening rides tend to fill first. If your first-choice time is full, check the earlier or later departures on the same date because there may still be plenty of room aboard.
Several December evening departures are already sold out or nearly full.
Popular evening rides can fill quickly when families and friends start booking together so we recommend booking larger groups as soon as possible. Once you've picked a tour and departure, send the date to your group so everyone can reserve seats on the same trolley.
A little Christmas magic, just for your group.
Gather your family, round up your friends, or bring the whole office along. Make the ride part of your Christmas celebration with private trolley transportation.
A holiday ride for family & friends
Enjoy a 60-minute private trolley rental starting at Tap Yard Raleigh. Have another pickup location in mind? Ask about a custom pickup for an additional travel fee.
This rental includes trolley transportation for your group. A tour guide, Santa visit and the activities included in our ticketed Christmas tours are not included.
Taking the team out to celebrate?
Keep everyone together between the office, dinner and your holiday party. Tell us your locations, headcount and schedule, and we’ll help plan the transportation.
The whispered wish list. The wave from Santa. The little face that lights up when the man in red steps aboard.
Christmas moves pretty quickly. Between the shopping, wrapping, and one-more-stop errands, make time for a memory together.
Here’s a little Christmas magic from years past aboard The Great Raleigh Trolley.
Check in inside
All public holiday tours begin and end at the Great Raleigh Trolley’s Christmas Headquarters located Tap Yard Raleigh, 1610 Automotive Way, next to Pine State Coffee. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure and check in with our trolley team inside.
Park and get settled
Limited free parking is available at Tap Yard on first come first serve basis, with plenty of additional parking options nearby. Review the parking guide before your visit and allow time to park and check in.
Make an outing of it
Enjoy refreshments at Tap Yard before or after your ride. Restrooms are available on-site, and ticket check-in is electronic—there are no printed tickets to collect.
Which ride is right for our merry little crew?
For toddlers and young grade-schoolers, Santa Express brings the big Christmas moment: a ride with Santa, story time, holiday music, and opportunities for pictures. Cocoa & Caroling is an all-ages choice for a festive sing-along, while Must See Raleigh: Holiday Edition is ideal for enjoying the city’s seasonal sights. Christmas Spirits adds a haunted twist and is recommended for ages 13 and up. Holiday CHEERS is our strictly 21+ celebration.
Is Santa Express the same event as Pullen Park Holiday Express?
No. Santa Express is a separate Christmas experience operated by The Great Raleigh Trolley and is not affiliated with Pullen Park Holiday Express or the City of Raleigh.
Santa Express takes place aboard The Great Raleigh Trolley and includes a festive trolley ride, holiday music, story time, a visit with Santa and opportunities for family photos. Check our Christmas calendar for current dates, departure times and availability.
Will we get pictures with Santa aboard the Santa Express?
Yes! Santa Express includes complimentary photo sessions with an on-site professional photographer. Children will also have a chance to visit with Santa and share what’s on their wish lists. Bring those Christmas smiles!
What about our littlest elves?
Children under age two riding on an adult’s lap are free on Santa Express, Cocoa & Caroling, and Must See Raleigh: Holiday Edition. Follow the booking instructions for your selected tour when reserving your group.
Can we bring the whole Christmas crew?
Absolutely. Choose a departure with enough available tickets for everyone in your group. If you’d like a trolley all to yourselves, explore our private holiday rides for families, friends, and company celebrations.
Where does our Christmas adventure begin?
Public holiday tours begin and end at Tap Yard Raleigh, 1610 Automotive Way. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure and check in with our trolley team inside. Give yourself a little extra time to park and get everyone gathered—especially those easily distracted little elves.
Are Christmas pajamas encouraged?
Festive outfits are always a treat on Christmas for any tour! We highly recommend you wear your coziest Christmas pajamas particularly on Cocoa & Caroling! Whatever you wear, dress for the weather and choose footwear that makes boarding and stepping off the trolley comfortable.
Can we pack snacks or bring a little holiday cheer?
Save the cookies for before or after your ride: food is welcome at Tap Yard but is not permitted aboard the trolley. Beer and wine are allowed on holiday tours except Santa Express. Glass containers and liquor are prohibited. Tap Yard also offers alcoholic and nonalcoholic refreshments that you may take along for your tour.
Is the trolley wheelchair accessible?
Our trolleys are not wheelchair accessible. Boarding and exiting require navigating narrow stairs. Please contact us before booking if someone in your group has mobility needs so we can discuss what to expect.
Are there seat belts?
No. Our trolleys are not equipped with seat belts.
What should parents know before boarding?
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Parents are responsible for supervising and securing their children at Tap Yard and aboard the trolley. Children must remain seated while the trolley is moving. Please consider the absence of seat belts when planning your family’s visit.
Is there any paperwork before the merrymaking?
All ticket holders must complete the trolley waiver. It can be completed electronically in advance or during check-in.
What if the weather turns less than merry?
Holiday tours operate rain or shine. Severe weather may require us to cancel a departure. If The Great Raleigh Trolley cancels your tour, you will receive a full refund. Weather-related cancellation notices are sent by email, so check your inbox before heading out.
What if our holiday plans change?
Public holiday tour tickets are nonrefundable, and missing your departure does not qualify for a refund. Tickets may be transferred to another person. Transfer and rescheduling requests may incur a $5 processing fee per ticket, and moving to another departure depends on availability.
Will we see every holiday display?
Holiday displays are operated by others, so we cannot guarantee that particular attractions will be visible during your ride. Routes, stops, and tour lengths may change due to road conditions.
Can we reserve our own holiday trolley?
Yes! Our private family holiday ride is a 60-minute transportation rental—perfect for gathering your own merry crowd. A tour guide and Santa are not included. Custom pickups may be available for an additional travel fee, and full payment is required to reserve your private booking.
Is smoking or vaping allowed?
No. Smoking, vaping, and tobacco products are prohibited aboard the trolley.
Find your experience, choose your date, and make a little room for magic this season.
