It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…well, it’s still 100 degrees, but it’s almost chilly at night. So, it’s time to start thinking about booking tickets to Christmas Town on the train in Watsonville, Calif. The Train to Christmas Town will begin departing this holiday season on Nov. 28-30, Dec. 3-7, Dec. 10-14, Dec. 16-23 and after Christmas, Dec. 26-28.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) approved the Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway (SCMB) for a 2-year operational plan for the Train to Christmas Town holiday train ride from Watsonville.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this vote,” stated Jeff Weeks, General Manager of the SCMB. “Having a passenger train operation in Santa Cruz County will complement the positive economic impact freight service has had and, we believe, will be a huge asset to the community’s tourism landscape.”

The Train to Christmas Town event is based on the book of the same name written by Peggy Ellis. It is accompanied by whimsical illustrations of the lively characters including Janice and Bumble Bee the Polar Bear. The book is a holiday saga that highlights timeless and meaningful Christmas themes as readers follow Janice’s annual journey to Christmas Town. It all comes to life aboard vintage passenger rail cars decorated for the holidays. The cheerful Conductor punches each passenger’s ticket while elves travel through cars serving hot chocolate and cookies. The book is read aloud, and there is merry holiday fun and fabulous music by Grammy winning singers/songwriters Trout Fishing in America.

Train to Christmas Town tickets are now on sale at www.traintochristmastown.com or by phone at 888-978-5562. Tickets start at $17 for kids and $22 for adults. New this year, group discounts are available in Standard Class seating for parties of 25 or more paying guests. Tickets for high demand dates like weekends and dates closest to Christmas sell very quickly.