For more than 50 years, Maricopa Live Steamers has been bringing families and train enthusiasts together through the fun and tradition of miniature railroading in the Valley.

Steam and gas powered locomotives carry families through the desert at night, surrounded by thousands of holiday lights. Guests enjoy a 20-minute round-trip journey to the North Pole aboard our 7.5 inch scale model trains. Along the way, passengers will pass our spectacular 50-foot Megatree, featuring 16,000 LED lights synchronized to holiday music, creating a unique and memorable holiday experience for families. Santa has been scheduled to join us each night the railroad is open for holiday train rides, adding even more holiday magic to the evening.

This year’s Holiday Lights events will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 27 through December 19, 2026, with an additional Sunday evening on December 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Maricopa Live Steamers is also open for regular train rides from October through April on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors can climb aboard and choose from several train routes while enjoying a relaxing ride through our scenic approximately 150 acre park — a fun experience for families, kids, and train enthusiasts alike.

Guests can also participate in Shelby's Junior Engineer School, where they can take the controls of a locomotive for a short trip through the freight yard.

Train rides are always free to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated and help us maintain and operate the railroad, allowing us to continue providing this unique community tradition.

Maricopa Live Steamers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteer members. Located at 22822 N 43rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85310, our railroad has become a special tradition for families in the community.

This story offers an opportunity to showcase the unique experience enjoyed by our guests, from the memorable train rides and spectacular holiday lights to the dedicated volunteers who give their time and effort to maintain the railroad and make this annual tradition possible.

We can provide:
Photos and video of the trains, lights, and events
Steam and gas powered locomotives in operationInterviews with volunteers and event organizers
Family and guest experiences
High-resolution photos for publication and online use
Opportunities to visit the railroad and experience the event

Our media kit and press release for Holiday Lights 2026 are available here.

We would be happy to provide additional information, answer questions, arrange interviews, or coordinate a visit to the railroad.

Thank you for considering this local holiday story. We’d love to share the sights, sounds, and community spirit of Holiday Lights at Maricopa Live Steamers with your audience.