Events

First & Third Saturdays

Monthly on the First & Third Saturday

Join us on the first and third Saturdays of each month (excluding gated event dates) for family-friendly programming that brings the Southern California Railway Museum to life.

Fred Harvey Experience

February 28, 2026

Enjoy a unique Fred Harvey Dining Experience hosted by the Harvey Girl Historical Society.

Train & Trolley Rides

Saturdays & Sundays*

You can take a ride on the Museum Railway on a real operating Trolley or behind a Locomotive every weekend and during special weekday programming – ride as many times as you like during our operating hours.

*except during special ticketed events

Merit Badge Program

Monthly, Fourth Saturday

Program includes introduction to railroad history, tour of collection, and a ride on one of our historic trolleys.

Dinosaur Express

March 7th & 8th, 2026

Hop on Board for the Dinosaur Express at Southern California Railway Museum, featuring “Buddy” from the PBS Show “Dinosaur Train.”

Swap Meet & Pacific Electric Day

March 14, 2026

Southern California Railway Museum’s annual Spring Swap Meet. Buy and sell railroad antiques, collectibles, scale models, and toy trains. Pacific Electric Cars departing every 30 minutes.

Day Out With Thomas

April 11, 12, 18 , 19 2026

All aboard for a day of family fun with Thomas and Percy! Thomas is returning to the Southern California Railway Museum Spring 2026!

Autism Acceptance Walk

April 25, 2026

Mother’s Day Victorian Tea

May 10, 2026

The Harvey Girl Historical Society is hosting an exclusive Mother’s Day Victorian Tea Service in the Fred Harvey Museum.

Antique Truck Show

May 16, 2026

The past will roar to life at the Antique Truck Show. Presented in conjunction with the American Truck Historical Society Southern California Chapter.

Behind the Scenes

May 30-31 2026

Go “Behind the Scenes” at the Museum and see what goes into maintaining the West’s largest collection of rail cars, with tours, and access to areas not normally open to the public (like Carhouse 7).

Rods & Rails

June 6, 2025

The City of Perris’ annual car and motorcycle show, featuring classic cars from the 20’s through the 70’s and motorcycle classics from 1939 to the present.

Summer on the Rails

1st Saturdays in Summer

Upcoming Date: July 4, 2026

Join us on the 1st Saturdays of each month this summer for some extra train-tastic fun! This series features FREE GENERAL ADMISSION and FREE PARKING.

Taste of Perris Music Festival

July 18, 2026

YORN2TAINMENT presents the 3RD Annual A Taste of Perris Music Festival, Sponsored by the City of Perris and Southern California Railway Museum. Join us for a day of incredible music, vibes, food and so much more!

Sizzling Summer Nights

August 15, 2026

Amazing classic cars & motorcycles, good food, music, lawn games, and kids craft corner. FREE general admission and event parking.

Fall Railroadiana Swap Meet

September 12, 2026

Shop for and learn about railroadiana and railroad antiques at Southern California’s largest outdoor railroadiana swap meet.

Perris Appreciation Day

September 19, 2026

If you live, work, or attend school in the City of Perris, we invite you to enjoy FREE all-day train and trolley rides at the Museum—our way of saying thank you to our amazing local community.

La Raza Run

October 3, 2026

Tripp productions and Vatos y Viclas presents ~ La Raza Run 2026

The Polar Express

Select Dates November & December 2026

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is returning to Southern California Railway Museum for the 2026 holiday season!