Kirby Family Farm Christmas Train: On Track For A Truly Great Night!
Locomotives don’t just carry cargo and coal. They also carry the Christmas spirit. While they may no longer be our main mode of transportation, these obsolete engines still have the power to bring cheer wherever they go. From the Hogwarts Express to the Polar Express, there’s no denying the magic of a lovely old steam train.
Combining the laurels of Christmas with the nostalgia of a locomotive is the most potent magic known to man, and it’s something the Kirby Family Farm has been brewing up for the past twelve years!
Located in Williston, Florida, the Christmas Train at Kirby Family Farm is ready to chug its way through the 2023 holiday season, promising wonderful Christmas memories for the whole family. And even better yet, enjoying an evening at Kirby Family Farms is also a powerful way to help the at-risk, foster, medically needy, and special needs children who are supported by this organization.
Now that’s some true Christmas magic!
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Kirby Family Farm: Welcome Home
Kirby Family Farm’s middle name isn’t “Family” for nothing!
When you come to the farm, you’ll feel right at home – and that’s the whole point! Creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere is essential for the children who are hosted here throughout the year, especially as they don’t always have loving homes of their own. The Kirby Family Farm is a place where everyone belongs.
With a fantastic hands-on museum, children can learn about significant moments in history that are then coupled with important life lessons. In the great outdoors, agricultural experiences mix the beauty of nature with much-needed encouragement and enrichment. But of course, the centerpiece of any trip to Kirby Family Farm is the locomotive, rescued from disrepair and restored to its late-1800s glory.
The locomotive is a symbol for the children, and anyone who visits that renewal is possible; even if you’ve been broken and forgotten, there is always hope.
Every day is different and incredibly meaningful on Kirby Family Farm: “One afternoon may be a small family whose terminally ill child is only allowed off medical machines for a few hours for a private visit, another afternoon it could be a picnic, train ride, and fun day on the farm for several hundred foster, at-risk, or special needs youth(s).”1
Every year, the farm is proud to serve over 10,000 children and their families at no cost.
The annual Christmas Train event is vital for the continuation of this amazing charitable work. Open to the public on select nights from Friday, November 24th, to Tuesday, December 26th, proceeds from tickets directly support the Farm’s outreach programs! Tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance online than when purchased at the gate, starting at $17.99 for adults and $10.99 for kiddos ages 3 to 9. Due to the popularity of this Christmas event, many nights sell out fast, so pre-registering for tickets online is highly recommended.
Here is the full line-up of 2023 dates:
November: 24, 25
December: 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26
The gates open up at 6:00 p.m., and the first train leaves at 6:30 p.m. and runs every half an hour. The last ride of the night departs at 9:00 p.m., and gates close at 10:00 p.m. With so much to do, we’d say you should plan to hang out on the farm for most of the evening!
All Aboard the Christmas Train!!!
A ride on the Kirby Family Farm Christmas Train is one of the best Christmas experiences in the state of Florida.
So much more than just a simple train ride (which would be fun as is!), this locomotive will take you on a spectacular, 20-minute tour of the farm. With rides starting at dusk and chugging on through the night, you’ll find the farm glittering with thousands of glowing Christmas lights. It’s like something straight out of a fairy tale! Many families have made this stunning ride an annual Christmas tradition, and once you step aboard this train, we think you’ll do the same!
The farm also has a plethora of other Christmas activities included with your admission! Prepare yourself for a full evening of holiday fun!
Holly Jolly Adventures
With all of the holiday cheer around the farm, you might just think the Christmas Train has taken you to the North Pole.
The real giveaway that you’ve somehow traveled to the top of the globe is the presence of Saint Nick himself. Warm and winsome, Santa Claus is always ready to take some stellar Christmas selfies with you or pose for portraits with the kiddos! Nestled in front of a cozy backdrop, you’ll want this snapshot on all of your Christmas cards.
If you look closely, you may even catch a glimpse of some of Santa’s elves busy at work. Can you find the Secret Elf Shoppe? Younger kiddos who stumble upon it are allowed to pick out a special, free gift! (I wish I could pass for being 10 years old…)
In addition to the locomotive, there’s another restored ride for you to embark on: an antique Ferris Wheel! This stellar 1950 Smith and Smith Ferris Wheel has been rejuvenated through careful craftsmen, and now it’s enjoying a second heyday. Circle around to the top of the world for a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the village of lights. If you thought the views from the Christmas Train were good, that’ll really knock your Christmas-striped socks off!
Kirby Family Farm also boasts an impeccable Italian carousel! Hop on one of the horses and turn in time to jingly, jangly music that’s totally in tune with the Christmas spirit.
The Kirby Family Farm generally has other amusement rides and wagon rides as well, and this year, there’s going to be a magic show, too! You can even hop on a tractor ride to a “lost Christmas town” and enjoy a riveting story during the journey. But, of course, the cutest part of the entire evening is the Manger Babies Petting Zoo! Meet and greet some of the cutest critters who would have seen Jesus in the manager at Bethlehem! Snuggly sheep and sweet-faced donkeys just make Christmas that much better.
Going on so many adventures is liable to make a person hungry. Thankfully, several vendors have set up shop with offerings like hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, nachos, boiled peanuts, cotton candy, funnel cake, and kettle corn! While all activities are included with admission, the food is extra, so definitely bring some extra cash for these goodies. (Some vendors only accept cash, FYI.)
While there are so many wonderful Christmas experiences throughout the state of Florida, we really can’t recommend this one enough. Spending the night at the Kirby Family Farm is truly one of the best ways to celebrate the season. It’s giving back by having a great time, and that’s a Christmas deal that can’t be beat!
Have you been on the Kirby Family Farm Christmas Train? Who is your favorite Manger Baby Animal?? Let us know, and sprinkle some Christmas cheer in the comments below!
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