A new Christmas train will begin running from downtown Canandaigua on Nov. 28, taking passengers on an approximately 70-minute round trip to the historic Shortsville depot serving as the holiday North Pole.
The Finger Lakes Rail Experience will operate the trips over four weekends through Dec. 20, according to a news release from the operator. Its Christmas train page lists tickets and accommodations for the new seasonal service.
Passengers will board at 25 Pleasant St., at the corner of Ontario and Pleasant streets. The ride will include Christmas music and activities, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa.
Dates, departure times and tickets
Trains are scheduled for Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20. Friday departures are at 4 and 6 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday trips leave at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Tickets range from $40 to $100 per person, plus processing fees. The operator offers coach, first-class and other seating options; its Hickory Creek observation car is reserved for passengers 18 and older. Children 2 and younger who do not occupy a seat ride free, according to the booking page.
Opening day falls on Saturday, Nov. 28. That evening, Santa will go from the train to the Illuminate parade on Main Street at 6 p.m., according to the operator.
The historic cars are not traditionally accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the operator advises. Passengers with accessibility questions can contact tickets@flxrailexperience.com before booking.
Trips will support the Shortsville depot
A portion of the train’s revenue will support the Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society, whose Shortsville depot serves as the holiday destination, along with other local and regional nonprofit organizations.
Canandaigua National Bank, Finger Lakes Railway and FMW Solutions are among the partners supporting the operation. General Manager Steve Hooper credited local partnerships with making the Christmas service possible.
Denise Chaapel, executive director of the Downtown Canandaigua Business Improvement District, said departures from downtown will give families an opportunity to combine the ride with meals, shopping and other holiday activities at local businesses.
The Christmas service will close out the second operating season for the Finger Lakes Rail Experience, which began in 2025. Its excursions on Finger Lakes Railway have served Canandaigua, Geneva, Waterloo and Syracuse, with wine trains, scenic trips and other themed events. The operator says its activities have generated more than $3 million in economic impact for the region’s tourism economy.
Tickets are on sale through the operator’s Christmas train page. Passengers traveling together should book under one reservation; parking and boarding details will arrive with the ticket confirmation email.
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