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Christmas with kids in Kingsport
In Kingsport, Santa arrives by train. Each November the Santa Train makes its last stop downtown, after 110 miles of track and more than 15 tons of gifts, and the rest of the season follows with lights, snow and a candlelit tree.
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The story of Christmas in Kingsport
How Kingsport celebrates
Kingsport's season starts with Santa's Depot in Centennial Park, timed to the arrival of the CSX Santa Train, one of the nation's oldest holiday traditions. The city's Christmas in Kingsport program followed: 2024 was its fourth year, so it began around 2021, and it fills Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park with decorated trees. In early December the downtown parade, with floats, marching bands and Santa, ends at Church Circle for a candlelight tree lighting with carols. The Christmas Connection shopping event has run for nearly half a century.
Christmas last year in Kingsport
In 2025 Santa's Depot ran from 1 to 3 pm on November 22 in Centennial Park, with a free activity passport, hot chocolate, cookies and letters to Santa, and the 83rd Santa Train arrived around 3 pm. The Kingsport Christmas Parade followed on December 6 at 6 pm, with decorated vehicles, floats, marching bands and Santa, and the tree at Church Circle was lit at 7:45 pm with a candlelight ceremony and carols. The Santa Train carried over 15 tons of toys, backpacks and winter clothing.
Fun facts about Christmas in Kingsport
The Santa Train covers about 110 miles of track through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, and Kingsport is its final stop. Its 2025 run was the 83rd. Christmas in the Park had more than 100 decorated trees in 2024, which go up in the last week of November, and snow falls on select dates. Kingsport even has a Santa sculpture in Centennial Park, which families use for photos, and kids can collect stamps on a passport at Santa's Depot.
Trains and Christmas near Kingsport
Kingsport's best-known Christmas train is the CSX Santa Train, whose 83rd run in 2025 ended in Kingsport after 110 miles of track through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. It delivers over 15 tons of toys, backpacks and winter clothing to Appalachian families. For more rail history, the Johnson City Railroad Experience, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum in Jonesborough, and the Historic Bristol Train Station are all within a short drive. Check each page for opening days.
- Johnson City Railroad Experience: A nearby railroad attraction in Johnson City for kids who loved the Santa Train.
- Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum: A small museum in Jonesborough run by a local railroad historical society.
- Historic Bristol Train Station: A restored 1902 depot beside an active rail line, best viewed from outside.
Traditions today
- Santa's Depot: A free afternoon in Centennial Park with activity booths and a passport, ending when the Santa Train arrives.
- CSX Santa Train: A train that has run for 83 years and delivers toys and warm clothing along 110 miles of track, ending in Kingsport.
- Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Floats, bands and Santa on a downtown route, then a candlelit tree lighting at Church Circle.
- Christmas in the Park: More than 100 decorated trees at Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park, with snow on select dates.
- Live Nativity: A nativity scene held at Church Circle in December 2024.
- Christmas Connection: A holiday shopping event at MeadowView that reached its 45th year in 2024.
A fact for kids
In Kingsport, Santa arrives by train. The Santa Train travels about 110 miles to reach the town and brings over 15 tons of toys and warm clothes.
Questions about Christmas in Kingsport
What is the Kingsport Christmas Parade?
It is Kingsport's downtown parade and tree lighting. In 2025 it was held on December 6, with decorated vehicles, floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa Claus. Afterward the Christmas tree was lit at Church Circle with a candlelight ceremony and carols. Check our Kingsport Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
What time does the parade start?
In 2025 the Kingsport Christmas Parade started at 6 pm, and the tree lighting followed at 7:45 pm. The parade begins at Clinchfield Street and West Center Street, so plan to arrive early for a good spot. Check our Kingsport Christmas events guide on this page for this season's times.
Where does the Kingsport parade go?
The 2025 route started at Clinchfield and West Center Streets, ran along Center, Cherokee and Sullivan Streets through Church Circle, and ended at Clay Street. Church Circle is also where the tree lighting takes place afterward, so families can stay in one place for the whole evening.
Where is the Christmas tree lit in Kingsport?
The tree is lit at Church Circle in downtown Kingsport. In 2025 the lighting was at 7:45 pm after the parade, with a candlelight ceremony and carols. Live Nativity scenes have also been held at Church Circle in past seasons, which makes it a natural gathering place.
What is Christmas in Kingsport?
Christmas in Kingsport is a city-run season of holiday events. The city called 2024 its fourth year, which means it started around 2021. It centers on decorated trees and weekend snow at Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park, with free performances, character visits and more through the month.
How many Christmas trees are in the park?
In 2024 Christmas in the Park had more than 100 decorated trees at Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park. The trees go up the last week of November. Snow falls on select dates too.
Does it snow at Christmas in the Park?
Yes, snow falls on select dates. In 2024 the city listed snow on December 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, mostly on weekends. Real snow is less certain in Kingsport, so this gives kids a snowy Christmas moment. Dress warmly, because the park is outdoors.
Who is Santa's Depot for?
Santa's Depot is a free community event for children in Centennial Park. In 2025 it ran from 1 to 3 pm on November 22. Children got an activity passport and stamped it at booths with hot chocolate, cookies, letters to Santa and candy canes. Treats are for children only.
What is the Santa Train?
The Santa Train is a CSX holiday tradition that travels about 110 miles of track through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, giving toys, backpacks and winter clothing to Appalachian families. It delivers over 15 tons of gifts, and Kingsport is its final stop, where Santa arrives around 3 pm.
How old is the Santa Train?
The 2025 run was the 83rd, so it has run for more than 80 years. It is described as one of the nation's oldest holiday traditions. The 2024 run was the 82nd. Kingsport's Santa's Depot celebration was built around the final stop of the train in Kingsport.
When does Santa arrive in Kingsport?
In 2025 the Santa Train reached its final Kingsport stop around 3 pm, and Santa then went to the Santa's Depot Stage in Centennial Park. The depot's activities began at 1 pm, so families had two hours to visit booths before he arrived. Check this year's events guide for times.
Where is Centennial Park?
Centennial Park is at 245 East Main Street in downtown Kingsport. It hosts Santa's Depot each November, and it also holds part of Christmas in the Park, with decorated trees. A Santa sculpture in the park makes a popular photo spot for families.
What did kids see at Glen Bruce Park in 2024?
The 2024 schedule at Glen Bruce Park included the Grinch and Santa with the Lamplight Theater Yuletide Carolers on December 14, an elementary school choir and a hand bell choir on December 20, and dance school performances on December 21. Schedules change each year.
Is there a carousel in Kingsport?
Yes. The Kingsport Carousel hosted a Christmas at the Kingsport Carousel event on December 20 in 2024. Check our Kingsport Christmas events guide on this page for this season, since dates and details change from year to year and are posted by the city.
What is the Christmas Connection?
Christmas Connection is a two-day holiday shopping event at the MeadowView Conference Resort. In 2024 it was the 45th annual, held on November 15 and 16, which means it has run for nearly half a century. It is more of an adult shopping event, so check with organizers about kids.
How can I explain the Santa Train to my child?
Tell your child that Santa rides a long train through the mountains giving toys and warm clothes to families, and that Kingsport is the last stop. Show them the train when it pulls in, and talk about sharing. Bring a letter for Santa to drop off at the depot.
Is Kingsport good for toddlers at Christmas?
Yes, with some planning. Santa's Depot is free and built for children, with a passport and treats, and Christmas in the Park is a gentle walk among lit trees. The parade is in the evening, so bring blankets and snacks.
Are there train museums near Kingsport?
Yes. Johnson City Railroad Experience is in Johnson City, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum is in Jonesborough, and the Historic Bristol Train Station is in Bristol. Each has a page in our museum guide with details, and the Santa Train gives Kingsport its own train connection.
Is the Santa Train free to watch?
Watching the Santa Train arrive is part of the free Santa's Depot community event in Centennial Park, which the 2025 listing called free for children. Bring warm clothes, arrive before the 3 pm arrival time, and look for the Santa sculpture in the park for a photo with your family.
Where can I find this year's Kingsport Christmas events?
Our Kingsport Christmas events guide on this page lists events we have confirmed for kids this season. The city of Kingsport and Visit Kingsport also post schedules for the parade, Santa's Depot and Christmas in the Park, and christmasinkingsport.com has details.
Sources
- Kingsport Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, City of Kingsport
- Christmas in Kingsport rings in holiday season with festive events, City of Kingsport
- Santa's Depot returns this month to celebrate Santa's arrival on the Santa Train, Visit Kingsport
- Johnson City Railroad Experience, Rally Takes the Train
- Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Historic Bristol Train Station, Rally Takes the Train