Bundle up, grab your favorite people, and get ready to pedal into the holiday season! A new Christmas experience is coming to Noblesville, and it combines holiday lights, hot chocolate, and a ride along historic railroad tracks.
Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad’s Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure debuts November 14, 2026, with a season running through January 2, 2027. Families can climb aboard a four-person railbike and explore a stretch of the Nickel Plate rails, with festive scenery and a 60-foot light tunnel along the way.
If your kids love looking at Christmas lights and trying something new, this adventure belongs on your holiday calendar.
Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure Quick Facts
Dates: November 14, 2026–January 2, 2027
Location: Forest Park, just south of Hobbs Station, Noblesville
Cost: Tickets start at $24.95 per person
The Fun: Pedal through a 60-foot light tunnel, enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie, and explore a festive boarding area with holiday lights, firepits, and check in at Santa’s House.
Before You Go: Bundle up and check available ride times and ticket details.
What Is a Railbike?
A railbike is a pedal-powered vehicle designed to travel directly on railroad tracks. Nickel Plate’s railbikes seat up to four passengers, so families can ride together while taking in the scenery from a different perspective.
The tracks guide the bike, and riders provide the pedal power. For kids, getting to ride on actual railroad rails adds another layer of excitement to a night of Christmas lights. Nickel Plate welcomes children on its railbikes with appropriate adult supervision.
Think of it as a chance to make the journey part of the holiday fun. You’re outside together, moving through the lights, with plenty to notice along the way.
Start Your Evening at Santa’s House
The adventure begins in Forest Park in Noblesville, at a festive boarding area just south of Hobbs Station. Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad is transforming the space into a holiday gathering spot with light displays, firepits, and seasonal atmosphere.
Your first stop is Santa’s House, which serves as the check-in point for the experience. Plan to arrive with enough time to park, check in, and enjoy the setting before boarding.
For families, that festive beginning helps make the outing feel like a whole holiday experience. Take a family photo, admire the decorations, and get everyone ready for a winter adventure together.
Pedal Through a 60-Foot Light Tunnel
Once aboard, guests will pedal along the historic Nickel Plate rails, enjoying holiday displays that include a 60-foot light tunnel.
There’s something especially fun about moving right through the lights. Kids can watch the colors surround their railbike while parents enjoy a holiday outing that gets everyone outdoors and involved.
The adventure also includes a stop for hot chocolate and a cookie. A warm drink and a sweet treat give families a chance to pause and enjoy the evening before continuing their ride.
Nickel Plate lists the full experience at approximately one hour, including the refreshment stop and return trip. That makes it a manageable addition to a family’s busy holiday schedule, whether you’re planning a special weekend outing or something memorable during winter break.
What Families Should Wear
This is an outdoor holiday adventure, so dress everyone for the weather. Warm coats, hats, gloves, and thick socks will help keep the focus on the lights and the fun.
Choose comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for pedaling. A small blanket can add warmth, too; Nickel Plate encourages guests to bring one and keep personal belongings safely secured during the ride. Children must remain seated and supervised, and guests will need to pedal.
Before booking, review the ride information for your family’s needs, especially if you’re bringing very young children. Check the forecast again before heading out, and allow time to get everyone bundled up before departure.
Holiday Railbike Tickets
Tickets start at $24.95 per person, or you can reserve an entire four-person railbike for $89.95.
For a family of four, the whole-bike option costs less than purchasing four individual tickets. It also gives you a straightforward way to reserve a bike for your group.
Choose your date and departure time through Nickel Plate Express, and review current availability and booking details before purchasing.
Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic railroad experiences in Hamilton County. This new attraction brings those rails into another season of family memories.
With a light tunnel, a warm treat, and a chance to pedal together, Holiday Lights Railbikes gives families a fresh reason to head to Noblesville this Christmas.
