Explore Schuylkill: Holiday Trains, Tree Farms & Small-Town Christmas Magic

November 28 | Shenandoah, PA

Quaint downtown celebrations and country outings bring out the holiday nostalgia also. There’s something special about heading out to our main streets and parks to celebrate the season together. Shenandoah’s Coal Cracker Christmas is November 28th and includes train displays, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, lighting the community tree, and more.

November 28 – December 21 | Ashland, PA

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland is decked out for the season and so is their open-air car steam locomotive! These 60-minute excursions will take you through beautifully decorated grounds to Santa’s Holiday Hideaway where you can meet Santa and children can enjoy a free treat!

These excursions run every weekend beginning November 28th through December 21st. Friday departure times are 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday departure times are 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

November 28 & 29 at 4 P.M. | Klingerstown, PA

One particularly festive holiday event is the Annual Lighting of the Vineyard at Benigna’s Creek Vineyard and Winery on November 28th and 29th in bucolic Klingerstown. Treat yourself to a magical evening in the countryside amidst the rolling mountains where 2.5 acres of the vineyard are adorned with holiday lights dancing to the Christmas carols floating in the air.

Live nativity reindeer, tractor rides though the vineyard, cozy fires, homemade food, and cookies and cocoa complete this blissful scene. The wine is excellent, my friends, and will quickly become a favorite that you’ll want to share with family and friends. Make sure you dress accordingly as this is an outdoor evening event and is held rain, snow, or shine.

November 29 at 11 A.M. | Orwigsburg, PA

Another outdoor happening is An Explore Schuylkill Holiday at Pioneer Evergreen Farms in Orwigsburg on November 29th from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Set in the picturesque fields of the evergreen tree farm, you can visit with Santa Claus and his reindeer, stroll the fields of trees, or take a horse and carriage ride! The dynamic donkey duo of Dominic and Matilda will be with us as well as a bevy of carolers from the Schuylkill Chorale Society, and the M&J Brass Trio.

Children can get their faces painted in festive wintery designs, enjoy a free hot cocoa and cookie, visit with the animals, tell Santa their secret wishes, and join their family and friends in making free s’mores over several cozy fire pits. King Cole Winery will be on hand for making merry, too! This is an outdoor event that combines local talents, organizations, and holiday traditions for all ages to enjoy. It is non-ticketed, free, and open to the public. We have a Toys-for-Tots drop-off barrel for the day, and we hope you will consider a donation for those in our community in need.

December 5-7 | Tamaqua, PA

Tamaqua’s Spirit of Christmas Festival is December 5th through 7th in downtown Tamaqua. The weekend’s festivities include a Santa parade, lighting Depot Park, outdoor holiday market, Santa train rides, and vintage toy displays at the Tamaqua Historical Society.

December 6 & 7 | Tamaqua, PA

One of the many traditional activities of the season is Santa train rides, and we have several that will delight young and old. Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad is bringing Santa train rides to Tamaqua on December 6th and 7th.

Enjoy listening to holiday music while riding in toasty warm coaches as Santa visits each child and the young at heart! Get your cameras ready to capture special moments of holiday magic and memories you will cherish forever. Incidentally, I took my own children on these excursions thirty-three years ago and the memories, as well as the tradition, lives on as my grandchildren have all been on them as well.

December 6 & 7 | Kempton, PA

The WK&S Santa Claus Express in Kempton is another excellent opportunity to get your holiday train experience this season on December 6th and 7th. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Elves, Frosty and holiday friends will be on hand to delight you, and each child receives a free gift. This is definitely another holiday magic camera ready encounter! Trains depart at 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Reservations are required.

December 13 at 4 P.M. | Valley View, PA

Valley View Park’s Annual Christmas in the Park will be December 13th from 4-9pm. At this old-fashioned Christmas event, you can expect a visit with Santa in the Christmas cottage, a Christmas tree decorating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday arts and crafts vendors, a Chinese auction, cookie decorating, tree ornament making, model trains with a Christmas village, carolers, musicians, and a live nativity play. Food and beverages will be available to warm you up and keep you going.

December 14 & 15 | Minersville, PA

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern will bring Santa to the Minersville train station aboard the Santa Claus Special on December 13th and 14th. Whether you are planning on Tamaqua or Minersville, all excursions depart at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and are 80 minutes round trip.

January 17 at 11 A.M. | Pottsville, PA

Rolling into January, we celebrate winter with Schuylkill Winterfest in downtown Pottsville on January 17th from 11 am to 4 pm. Jam-packed with a diverse group of vendors, ice-sculptors, delicious food trucks, a variety of live entertainment throughout the day, a spirited beer garden, and a hopping kids’ corner, this year’s festival will bring our you’re inner Jack Frost! No matter what season you choose, we’d love to have you explore Schuylkill County with us!