Winter Wonderland – Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Express Train Rides
Presented in partnership with the City of Southgate, festivities begin with a tree lighting ceremony featuring caroling, city officials, and Santa's arrival on a fire truck. Passengers then board miniature trains operated by the Great Lakes Live Steamers that travel through a wonderland of lights and sparkles. The short scenic ride journeys to the North Pole for a visit with Santa.
All ages
See more Christmas lights near Southgate
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Donations cheerfully accepted; no set ticket price is stated.
Hours
Tree lighting starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4; Santa arrives by fire truck at 5:45 pm; train rides begin at 6:00 p.m. both days and run until 9:00 p.m.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Arrive in time for the tree lighting to see carolers, city officials and Santa pulling up on a fire truck before the train rides start.
- Bring a donation for the Great Lakes Live Steamers, who cheerfully accept them for the train rides to the North Pole.
- Keep an eye on the forecast before heading out, because the Santa Express train rides run only when weather permits.
- Bundle up for an evening ride, since the miniature trains travel out through a wonderland of lights to the North Pole and Santa.
Special Events & Promotions
- A tree lighting ceremony with city officials, caroling and Santa arriving on a fire truck, followed by the first train rides.
Links & Contact
Run by City of Southgate
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the tree lighting?
City officials and carolers gather, Santa arrives on a fire truck and the Christmas tree is lit. The train rides start right after.
What is the train ride like?
Great Lakes Live Steamers runs miniature trains through a winter wonderland of lights and sparkles. The short ride goes to the North Pole for a visit with Santa.
Does it run in bad weather?
The train rides run weather permitting.
Browse Christmas in Southgate
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.