Florida's Santa trains run on select dates. The Florida Railroad Museum's North Pole Express leaves from Parrish on select evenings from Nov 27 to Dec 22, and the Sugar Express runs Santa Express trips from Clewiston and Sebring between Nov 28 and Dec 23. Every pick below is confirmed on the organizer's own 2026 page, so check that page for current availability before you plan around a date.
In this guide 10 sections
North Pole Express
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The Florida Railroad Museum's train leaves from its Parrish station on a round trip to the North Pole, about 45 minutes each way by the museum's description, followed by about 2 1/2 hours of activities there. The museum lists a personal visit with Santa Claus, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, a special gift for every child, storytelling, model train displays, campfires and reindeer food. The whole evening lasts about 3 3/4 hours.
Insider note — Most evenings offer departures at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. Dates are Nov 27, 28 and 29, Dec 2 to 6, Dec 9 to 13 and Dec 16 to 22.
Santa Express from Clewiston and Sebring
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The Sugar Express lists Santa Express trips as a 2 hour return. Clewiston departures are Nov 28 at 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m., Nov 29 at 1 and 4 p.m., Dec 11 at 1 and 4 p.m., Dec 12 and 13 at 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m., and Dec 22 and 23 at 1 and 4 p.m. Sebring departures are Dec 6 and Dec 18 to 20.
Insider note — The schedule marks Dec 6 from Sebring and Dec 12 from Clewiston as steam trains. The other Santa Express runs are listed as diesel.
North Pole Noir Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner Train
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The Seminole Gulf Railway describes this Christmas themed show as bringing a little noir zest to the Christmas recipe. It runs as a murder mystery dinner train on Sundays and Wednesday through Saturday and leaves from Colonial Station in Fort Myers.
Insider note — Trains depart at 6:30 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and certain holidays. The railway asks guests to check in at least 45 minutes early.
Conch Tour Train Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour
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This hour long evening tour takes riders past the island's most elaborately decorated houses, buildings and neighborhoods, with caroling, and includes special holiday lights glasses. It departs from Key West High School at 2100 Flagler Avenue on Dec 8 and 9, Dec 11 to 14 and Dec 16 to 27.
Insider note — Departures run at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and guests check in at the booth 15 minutes before their tour.
Tampa Santa Brunch Cruise
Yacht StarShip lists a Santa Brunch Cruise on Dec 13 and Dec 20 from 603 Channelside Drive. Boarding is at 12:00 p.m. and the cruise runs 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A meet and greet with Santa and a visit from Santa during the cruise are included in the ticket.
Insider note — A boarding photo with Santa is listed as available for purchase and is not included in the ticket.
Tasting Tours Magical Ride with Santa
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The St. Augustine tourism listing describes an evening ride through historic St. Augustine with Santa Claus, run by The Tasting Tours. It is listed from Saturday, Nov 21 to Thursday, Dec 24, from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m.
Insider note — The listing notes that event details may change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo
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The Palm Beach Zoo lists Zoo Lights from Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 and names Photos with Santa as free. Letters to Santa with Mrs. Claus are also listed among the free activities, along with ornament decorating and a free holiday kids activity. The tree show starts every 20 minutes.
Insider note — The zoo describes parking just steps from the entrance as free. The page does not list individual nights or hours, so check its event calendar.
Santa in Space at MOSI
MOSI's Santa in Space runs Dec 12 with photos with Santa in Mission: Moonbase from 2 to 6 p.m., first come, first served. The day also has holiday planetarium shows, including one that tracks Santa through the cosmos, letters to Santa sent to the North Pole, a Merry Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., experiments and seasonal treats.
Insider note — MOSI lists the event as included with general admission for the day.
Surfing Santas of Cocoa Beach
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Surfers in holiday outfits paddle out and ride the Atlantic waves at 3 Minutemen Causeway on Christmas Eve morning. The organizer says hundreds of surfers of all ages and thousands of spectators gather, with music and live entertainment on stage and in the ocean, and lists admission as free.
Insider note — The organizer's start time is 7:30 a.m. and the listing runs until noon.
Meet Santa in the Park
St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation lists a meet and greet with Santa in North Straub Park from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec 12 and 13 and again Dec 18 to 23. The park is on the downtown waterfront at 400 Bayshore Drive NE.
Insider note — The city's holiday page lists these dates without a year banner, so confirm on the page before you go.
Good to know
When does the North Pole Express run in 2026?
The Florida Railroad Museum lists select evenings from Nov 27 to Dec 22: Nov 27, 28 and 29, Dec 2 to 6, Dec 9 to 13 and Dec 16 to 22. Most evenings have departures at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m., and the full experience lasts about 3 3/4 hours.
What is included on the North Pole Express?
The museum lists round trip train transportation to the North Pole, a personal visit with Santa Claus, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, a special gift for every child, holiday activities and entertainment, storytelling, model train displays, campfires, reindeer food and access to the toy tent.
Where does the Santa Express leave from?
The Sugar Express schedule lists Santa Express departures from Clewiston on Nov 28 and 29, Dec 11, 12, 13, 22 and 23, and from Sebring on Dec 6 and Dec 18 to 20. Each is listed as a 2 hour return.
Can you meet Santa on a boat in Florida in 2026?
Yacht StarShip lists Santa Brunch Cruises in Tampa on Dec 13 and Dec 20, boarding at 12:00 p.m. and cruising 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A meet and greet with Santa is included in the ticket.
Is there a free way to see Santa in Florida?
The Palm Beach Zoo names photos with Santa as free during Zoo Lights, which runs Nov 20 to Jan 3. The Surfing Santas of Cocoa Beach lists free admission for its Dec 24 morning event.
Keep exploring
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