Chamber of Commerce, Monticello Illinois

Lunch With Santa on the Train by Make it Monticello

Lunch with Santa on the Train

Join us on December 12th and 13th for the 2026 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 a kid-friendly sack lunch. Our Coach Class Tickets* are $27 per person.

Our Coach Class Plus Tickets* are $37 per person and include a train ride, an individual visit with Santa, and a Subway meal including a turkey sandwich, chips, a cookie, and water.
 
*Each Coach class will be seated in separate train cars.  You should purchase the same ticket type for everyone in your party
 
The Dining Car Experience is for 4 riders (one table) in one of two dining cars. Turkey sandwiches from Subway of Monticello with chips, a cookie, and water are included along with a commemorative keepsake. While in the Dining Car, there will be coloring pages and games to enjoy at the table! The Dining Car experience is $200 per table. 
 
Would you like a Private Car Experience and ride the rails like a railroad baron? You can enjoy an exclusive experience aboard Illinois Central Business Car #7! The price is for the use of the observation lounge in our private car with space for up to 12 passengers of any age. You will be provided turkey sandwich meals from Subway of Monticello for up to 12, fun activities to enjoy during the ride, a family fun Christmas basket for you and your guests, 4 commemorative keepsakes, and some extra goodies for dessert. The Private Car Experience costs $750 for up to 12 people.
 
We look forward to seeing you at Lunch with Santa!

December 12th and 13th!

ORDER HERE

(starting 9/19/26 at 9 AM)
 

FAQ's

How much do tickets cost?
Coach Tickets are $27 per person.  Our Coach Class Plus Tickets are $37 per person. Our Dining Car Experience costs $200 for a table of up to four people.  The Private Car Experience costs $750 for up to 12 people. *Each Coach class will be seated in separate train cars.  You should purchase the same ticket type for everyone in your party
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 meal without a ticket.  Dining Car ticket holders will find it difficult to hold a child on their lap.  **Strollers and Car Seats will not be allowed on the train due to space constraints.

Where are my tickets/Where will the train load?

Your tickets will be ready for pickup at the depot in Downtown Monticello (Wabash Depot) located at the corner of Livingston and Independence Streets (use 200 E Livingston St, Monticello, IL 61856 for GPS) on the day of your train. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time to ensure enough 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 an hour long.

Will my child get to meet Santa personally?

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

What is in the lunch?

Coach tickets include lunch for a kid: a peanut butter alternative and jelly sandwich, chips, and a drink. (1)  Our Coach Class Plus Tickets include a Subway meal including a turkey sandwich, chips, cookie, and water. (1)  Dining Car tickets receive a turkey Subway sandwich, chips, a cookie, and a bottle of water for each rider (4).  Private car riders receive a turkey Subway sandwich, chips, a cookie, and a bottle of water for each rider (12).

Restrooms?

There are no restrooms on the train.  Plan to use the restrooms in the depot or across the parking lot, inside the Wabash Center, before the ride.

Can I sit with our friends?

If your friends purchased the same class of tickets as you, we can accommodate your request to sit together!  We can handle this on the day of the ride if you tell us who you'd like to sit with, or you can reach out ahead of time so we can plan your seating.