Christmas in July Train Brings Holiday Cheer to the Summer Ozarks
Somewhere between the sweat and the sunscreen, a train in Springdale is about to fill up with holiday lights and Christmas carols. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is swapping its usual scenery for full-on winter wonderland mode, proving the Ozarks can do a white Christmas even when it’s 95 degrees outside.
THE DEETS
🎄 Saturday, July 25, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 306 E. Emma, Springdale, AR 72764
🎟️ From $21.50 – 43
🔗 More info | Tickets
Vintage Cars, Holiday Vibes
The train itself is part of the charm. You board a restored vintage railcar and roll through the Ozarks while Christmas music plays and holiday decorations cover every corner. It’s a strange and fun way to spend a Saturday morning.
What’s on the Menu
Snacks, meals, and treats depend on which car you book. In the Silver Feather car, you’ll get morning and afternoon snacks on the Springdale to Van Buren route, while on the Springdale to Winslow and Van Buren to Winslow routes, you’ll choose your meal at checkout, plus complimentary water, coffee, and hot tea. Premium cars follow the same setup. Coach tickets don’t include food service, but you can add a food upgrade, and additional drinks and snacks are available for purchase.
Meet Santa, Minus the Snow
Yes, Santa Claus shows up. He’ll be making the rounds for photos and holiday cheer, no reindeer required in July heat. It’s the kind of detail that makes for a good photo and an even better story to tell at your actual Christmas party in December.
Book Your Car
Seating comes in three tiers. Book the Silver Feather car #108 or Premium cars #107 and #109 for the snack and meal options above, but note that ticket sales for those cars cut off 48 hours before departure. Coach cars #105 and #106 run in 1920s-style vintage cars with velvet bench seats that flip to change which direction you’re facing, and they don’t include food service unless you add the coach upgrade.
Whichever car you pick, book ahead. With cutoffs on the higher-tier cars and a one-of-a-kind theme, this isn’t the kind of ride you want to show up for at the last minute.
While you’re at it, A&M Railroad is running a separate summer sale worth grabbing. Book a Springdale to Van Buren or Van Buren to Winslow ticket for any date in August, spend $100 or more in one transaction, and enter the code JULYXMAS26 at checkout for 50% off. The sale runs July 20 through July 26, 2026, so pair it with your Christmas in July trip before the window closes.
