All Aboard The Holiday Lights Express: A Hockessin Tradition With History

Holiday Lights Express photo courtesy of Wilmington and Western Railroad.

The Holiday Lights Express is the most popular winter ride with the historic passenger coaches decorated inside and out with thousands of colorful lights.

Jamie Kleman | Contributing Writer Delaware Live

There is something timeless about riding a train through the quiet winter woods on a December night. For many families in northern Delaware, the Holiday Lights Express on the Wilmington and Western Railroad has become a beloved seasonal tradition. The experience delivers both festive holiday fun and a living connection to local history.

The Wilmington and Western Railroad operates on a ten-mile track between Wilmington and Hockessin. The line first opened to freight and passenger trains in 1872 under the Delaware Western Railroad and later became part of the Baltimore and Ohio system. It served mills, farms, and small communities along the Red Clay Valley for close to a century. In 1966, Historic Red Clay Valley Incorporated began operating the line as a heritage railroad, preserving the track and equipment for recreational rides and seasonal excursions. The organization continues that work today.

The Holiday Lights Express is the most popular winter ride. Throughout December, historic passenger coaches are decorated inside and out with thousands of colorful lights. After sundown, the train glides through the valley while passengers look out over quiet woods, twinkling homes, and decorated backyards. The ride lasts about one hour and departs on multiple evenings, often with trains at five o’clock, six thirty, and eight o’clock. Tickets for the 2025 season are nineteen dollars for adults, eighteen dollars for seniors, seventeen dollars for children ages two to twelve, and free for toddlers under age two.

Because departure times and operating dates can change throughout the month, readers should confirm the most up-to-date Holiday Lights Express schedule directly with the Wilmington and Western Railroad before booking tickets.

The atmosphere on board is relaxed and nostalgic. Children press their faces to the windows. Parents share hot chocolate and point out lights along the way. Every so often the train passes groups of neighbors waving from porches or driveways. It feels both festive and small town, the kind of experience that makes memories without a lot of stress or planning.

While the Holiday Lights Express is a highlight, the Wilmington and Western Railroad offers themed trains throughout the year, including spring wildflower rides and summer picnic excursions. These events help keep local rail history alive and introduce new generations to the importance of the Red Clay Valley as a transportation corridor.