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The tradition continues!
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, join us for an evening train ride around our festively decorated, one-mile track in Griffith Park. Every night, until early January, our track at Griffith Park & Southern Railroad is transformed into a magical train ride of delightful and festive scenes with thousands of lights.
Returning this year!
In addition to the lights and train ride, enjoy our holiday gift kiosk, and winter-themed, open-air photo areas – a perfect opportunity to create treasured memories.
So glad you asked! The Holiday Lights Train Ride is a long standing tradition at the Griffith Park Train Rides.
This special event takes our passenger guests on a mile-long loop at Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, through festive scenes decorated with thousands of lights. The ride is approximately 10 minutes long, winding through a landscape transformed for the evening.
The annual Holiday Light Festival Train Ride will run 7 days a week beginning Friday, November 24th 2023 until January 7th, 2024. It will run every night weather permitting EXCEPT December 24th, 25th, and 31st.
Monday – Thursday: 5pm to 8pm
Friday – Sunday: 5pm to 9pm
Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park. Click here for a Google map.
YES. We encourage you to purchase your tickets for future dates whenever possible.
Weekends are our busiest, especially the month of December, and we sell out most nights. The closer we get to Christmas, the more quickly we sell out of tickets.
We stop selling tickets online AND close our ticket window when we reach maximum capacity, or if the weather does not allow us to safely operate.
We understand that life/illness/traffic/ happens.
Because of the popularity of this event, and the frequency that we sell out, we ask that you make every effort to attend the night you purchased your tickets for.
However, we may have capacity to exchange tickets for another day if there is space available. Please see our staff at the ticket booth to make these arrangements for tickets purchased in person, or use the “Change booking” link for online tickets, located in your emailed confirmation.
Because there is no guarantee that we can find you space on another evening, we encourage you to plan for traffic, parking, delays, etc. and attend the evening you purchased for.
Our Holiday Light Festival Rides are nonrefundable tickets. If you find you cannot use your tickets for the evening you purchased them for, OR if we must shut down the ride because of weather, we will be happy to work with you to find another day and time, space and weather permitting.
Because of the popularity of this event, and the frequency that we sell out, we ask that you make every effort to attend the night for which you purchased your tickets.
FREE parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the trains, as well as an overflow lot a few hundred yards away. Generally, any parking in Griffith Park is free, with limited exceptions.
We will make every effort to provide light for security and safety, but don’t hesitate to bring headlamps or flashlights if you are concerned.
We welcome guests of all abilities. However, because our train cars are antique and compact, we are unable to accommodate a wheelchair or walker directly in the car. A guest may use their chair or walker on the platform, but must be able to step up or be lifted 8 inches from the ground to clear the car entrance. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to physically assist our guests with these accommodations.
For parking, there are handicap accessible parking spaces in the lot adjacent to our station.
We do not require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. We do not require our guests to wear masks, although we are supportive and encouraging of any guest who does.
Tickets are $7 per person (18 months and younger are free), plus processing fees when purchased online.
Want to skip the lines? Limited Priority Entry tickets will be available (online only), for $12 per person. When you arrive during your designated time, you will be allowed entry via a Priority boarding gate, skipping the ticket and boarding lines! Your wait time is reduced to zero or a maximum of 20 to 40 minutes during peak capacity.
Tickets can be purchased at our ticket window during open hours, or online. You can purchase tickets for future dates, or for the same day (if available).
No. This is a special event that requires a separate ticket for each person. The cost is $7 per person for General Entry to the Holiday Lights Train Ride, or $12 per person for Priority Entry, plus service fees for online purchases.
We do not offer group discounts. We work hard to keep our ticket prices affordable so as many people as possible can enjoy this event. If you do have a large, single group attending (more than 20), and are unsure how to proceed, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Unfortunately, Santa will not be present, but we often have surprise “guests” join us each year.
Yes! This year, our talented staff have constructed open-air photo booths and backgrounds for our passengers, and are entry is included in the ticket price.
Yes. It is best to check online for ticket availability. If you want to try and purchase tickets in person, please understand we historically sell out on the weekends within 60 to 90 minutes of opening our window. Weekdays are much less busy.
We stop selling tickets when we know we have reached capacity for that particular evening.
IF YOU PURCHASE PRIORITY ENTRY TICKETS, YOU CAN SKIP ALL THE LINES AND BOARD AT THE PRIORITY ENTRY GATE. Waiting time is either eliminated, or a maximum of 20 to 40 minutes during peak capacity. More details in our ticket webstore.
TICKET LINE:
BOARDING LINE:
We do our very best to ensure guests have a fantastic experience, including moving the lines as quickly as possible, but we understand how frustrating and disappointing waiting can be with young children, cold nights, and standing in line. If this of great concern, please consider purchasing one of our PRIORITY ENTRY tickets. Please dress warmly, bring or purchase hot drinks at the Griffith Park Cafe, and let us know how we can continue to improve.
Yes! The Griffith Park Cafe is a family-run spot next door that will have treats, meals, and hot beverages. You can even call ahead to order!
Yes! We are thrilled to offer a holiday gift kiosk that will be open to the public on the weekends and some weekdays for the holiday season.
Animals, including small pets, are not allowed on the train, with the exception of service animals.
Great! We’d love to help. Visit our Instagram, Facebook or email us at info@griffithparktrains.com. You can also call our main line at 818-881-2586 and leave us a voicemail, which will be returned promptly.
For media inquiries, see the links below, or send us an email at info@griffithparktrainrides.com
