Christmas at the Ranch returns to Santa Margarita on Nov. 28
Features include restored Disney train cars, Santa’s Village, and new attractions
– The third annual Christmas at the Ranch event will return to the historic Santa Margarita Ranch beginning Friday, Nov. 28, bringing steam locomotive rides, live entertainment, and new attractions to California’s Central Coast.
The family holiday event runs over nine weekend evenings from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21 at Santa Margarita Ranch, located between Atascadero and San Luis Obispo. Tickets start at $15 per person, with children 2 and younger admitted free. All tickets must be purchased in advance at www.ChristmasattheMargarita.com, and organizers expect them to sell out.
Co-founder Steve Rossi said the event was created to bring families together for a festive holiday experience. “My wife and I have poured our hearts into this effort to create a tradition that feels both timeless and welcoming—a chance for families to simply be together and soak in the season,” Rossi said. “We are so grateful for our partners to help bring this vision to life.”
Event attractions
All attendees enter on one of two steam engine locomotives, including a train that pulls three original Disney cars from the early years of Disneyland. One car underwent an 11-month restoration and now matches its 1955 condition.
The two-mile train ride features illuminated holiday displays, such as elves unloading gifts from a vintage C47 airplane and an all-new North Pole Village. The ride concludes at Santa’s Village, where visitors can enjoy carolers, Santa visits, a magic show, dinner and snack vendors, painting activities, face painting, games, fire-roasted s’mores, pony rides, and holiday cocktails.
New and expanded features
New attractions this year include a children’s Light Maze and the North Pole Village along the train route. Expanded features include additional firepits and outdoor seating, more food vendors, and an enlarged Christmas Vendor Marketplace with locally made goods such as jewelry, leather items, and candles.
Organizers have also introduced a $15 entry-level ticket for caboose car rides, offering a more affordable option for families.
National recognition and community support
Christmas at the Ranch was recently nominated by Newsweek as one of the nation’s top 15 “Best Christmas Train Rides” for its 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. “It’s an incredible honor to make this list in only our third year,” Rossi said.
All event proceeds benefit AGM Community Partners and the Vintage Traditions Foundation. Additionally, Santa Margarita Ranch, Riata Ranch, Riverdance Ranch, and Souza Construction have each donated $5,000 to provide free admission for firefighters and support crew from the Gifford Fire camp and their families during the opening weekend.
The event takes place at Santa Margarita Ranch, just off Highway 101 in the town of Santa Margarita.
