LAWRENCEBURG — The unexpected hit of the holiday season is a Christmas train ride, but the holiday season is coming to southeastern Indiana in other festive ways.

        A number of events and activities begin in Dearborn County next week, including “A Merry Choo-Choo Christmas” in downtown West Harrison, Ind., and Harrison, Ohio.

        Visitors can ride trains to New Trenton, Ind. and participate in a Christmas tree lighting, carriage rides, a parade and church services.

        The event will be from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. All train rides are sold out except for a 6 p.m. run on Friday.

        “This has turned out to be bigger than we imagined,” said Gary Richards of Main Street Harrison, which is cosponsoring the event with the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor and Tourism Bureau. “It's the first year we've ever done the train ride. We started out with six train runs and we've added two more. They include a North Pole Express with Santa Claus and a Wine and Cheese Express. No Santa is on it, though. Adults basically.”

        The 6 p.m., one-hour round-trip ride costs $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. For details on additional prices, call Main Street Harrison at 367-5548.

        Also on Dec. 8, the third annual Children's Christmas Celebration will be held in Lawrenceburg. It will feature a breakfast with Santa at 9:30 a.m. and a children's program at the Lawrenceburg Public Library, and a holiday tour of the Dearborn County Historical Society.

        The cost is $2.50. Tickets may be reserved by calling 812-926-0087.

        In Aurora, the “Lights at Lesko” Holiday Light Display will be held at Lesko Park on Indiana 56, along the Ohio River. It is free and open to the public.

        The display, featuring a 700-foot walk-through tunnel and lighted holiday tunnel, will be lit every evening in December and run through Jan. 1, said Jennifer Clayton of the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor and Tourism Bureau.

        Also in Aurora, the Christmas in the Country Holiday Home Tour will be from 1-5 p.m. today and Sunday at two historic homes, Hillforest and Veraestau.

        Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for students from 7-18 years old. Children under 6 will be admitted free.

        Call 812-926-0087 for additional details.

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