Chamber of Commerce, Monticello Illinois

Lunch With Santa

Lunch with Santa on the TrainJoin us on December 3rd and 4th for the 2022 Lunch with Santa on the Train at the Wabash Depot in Monticello, Illinois, a holiday favorite with kids of all ages. Enjoy a train ride, an individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch.
 
Our Coach Class Tickets are $20 per person.  
 
Check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below.
 
 
  
The Monticello Chamber and the Monticello Railroad Museum are excited to continue, the Deluxe Dining Car experience. There will be 22 of these tables available on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 22 available on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. and1 p.m.  
 
This experience includes four tickets (one table) on the dining car, a turkey sandwich from Subway with chips, a cookie, and water, a commemorative keepsake, and a digital photo* with Santa by our professional photographer.
 
*Digital Photo - You will have the opportunity to have a professional photographer take photos of your kids/family with Santa on the train. The photographer will take several photos and discuss your desired grouping on the train.  They will then send you a single digital image. You may also communicate to them a desire to purchase additional digital images or prints separately.
 
The Deluxe Dining Car experience is $180.
 
We look forward to seeing you at Lunch with Santa!
 
Check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below.

FAQ's

Who needs a ticket?

Anyone 2 and older will need a ticket. Those under 2 are required to sit on a lap and will not receive a sack lunch without buying a ticket.

Where are my tickets?

Your tickets will be ready for pickup at the depot in downtown Monticello (corner of Livingston and Independence ) beginning at 9 AM the day of your train. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time to ensure time to pick up tickets and board the train. Tickets will not be mailed out.

How long is the train ride?

The ride is about 60 minutes per trip.

Will my child get to meet Santa personally?

Santa will visit individually with each child on the train ride.

What is in the lunch?

Coach tickets receive lunch for a kid – peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, and drink. Everyone with a ticket receives a lunch. Cheese sandwiches are available on request for those with allergies.  Dining Car tickets receive a turkey Subway sandwich, chips, cookie and a bottle of water for each rider, as well as a commemorative keepsake and one digital photo from a photographer.

Restrooms?

There are no restrooms on the train – so plan to use the ones in the depot before the ride.