Christmas Train Rides in Alabama (2026)
Alabama’s holiday trains run out of two railroad museums at opposite ends of the state, and each one splits its season into a daytime ride and a nighttime one. In Calera, south of Birmingham, that means a North Pole Express by starlight or a daytime trip with a narrow-gauge steam train on the side. Outside Huntsville, it is a short Santa Train in the afternoon or the North Star Limited after dark. None of them is a licensed Polar Express; for the licensed rides nearest Alabama, see our Christmas train map.
The short version
- North Pole Express, Calera: Nov 13 to Dec 20, $30 to $50
- Christmas at the Station, Calera: Dec 5 to Dec 19, from $20
- Santa Train, Huntsville: Dec 5 and 12, About $23 to $42
- North Star Limited, Huntsville: Dec 4 to Dec 12, About $39 to $55
- No licensed Polar Express runs in Alabama in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
Alabama holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 4 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in Alabama in 2026
- Season
- November 13 to December 20, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $20 (Heart of Dixie RR Museum)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Alabama Christmas train runs
North Pole Express in Calera has the longest season, November 13 to December 20. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- North Pole ExpressCalera · Nov 13 to Dec 20
- North Star LimitedHuntsville · Dec 4 to Dec 12
- Santa TrainHuntsville · Dec 5 and 12
- Christmas at the StationCalera · Dec 5 to Dec 19
Look inside the book
Riding a Alabama Christmas train? Read Rally first.
Rally Takes the Train is a corgi’s first train ride, from the early wake-up to the dark tunnel to the sunshine on the other side. It takes about five minutes to read, so it fits in the car on the way to the station. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Birmingham Area: Two Christmas Trains in Calera
On the map
Where Alabama’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Huntsville: Santa Train
- 1Huntsville: North Star Limited
- 2Calera: North Pole Express
- 2Calera: Christmas at the Station
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Alabama towns, for shape.
One museum, two very different outings: a night train with a stop at the North Pole, or a daytime ride with a bonus steam train.
Alabama's 2026 Christmas trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Dixie RR Museum | Calera | Nov 13 to Dec 20 | $30 to $50 | On sale now |
| Heart of Dixie RR Museum | Calera | Dec 5 to Dec 19 | From $20 | On sale now |
| North Alabama RR Museum | Huntsville | Dec 5 and 12 | About $23 to $42 | On sale now |
| North Alabama RR Museum | Huntsville | Dec 4 to Dec 12 | About $39 to $55 | On sale now |
Calera: the North Pole Express at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
North Pole trainHeart of Dixie Railroad Museum · Calera
- Operator
- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Calera Depot, Calera
- Season
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 13 to December 20, 2026, at 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 pm Central
- Ride length
- About 1 hour 30 minutes, including the stop among the lights
- What's included
- A Christmas story and live carols, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves visiting every family for photos, a drink and treat, and a collectible ornament for each family
- Price
- Coach $30, Entertainment Coach $40, First Class $50 (cocoa in a souvenir mug); table car $250 for up to four
- Tickets
- Advance online tickets only; often sells out
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 ride free on a lap (not in the table car)
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Alabama’s official railroad museum, runs its North Pole Express on weekend evenings from the old depot in Calera, about 35 minutes south of Birmingham. On the way out a storyteller reads a Christmas story and leads carols from the Entertainment car, piped through the whole train, while kids watch for the North Pole lights. At the North Pole nobody gets off; Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves come aboard instead, visit every family for photos, and then the chefs bring a drink and a treat.
Arrive about an hour early and collect boarding passes at will call in the depot. There are no restrooms on the train, so use the gift shop’s first. No outside food comes aboard, but food vendors on the grounds sell dinner and cocoa. The Frisco coach, the museum’s oldest, is not climate controlled, and the Long Island coach has the only wheelchair lift.
Check dates and tickets with Heart of Dixie RR Museum(opens in a new tab)Calera: Christmas at the Station, the daytime option
Daytime Santa trainHeart of Dixie Railroad Museum · Calera
- Operator
- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Calera Depot, Calera
- Season
- Saturdays December 5, 12 and 19, 2026, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm Central
- Ride length
- About 45 minutes on the train, plus time on the grounds
- What's included
- A decorated train ride, a photo with Santa on the museum grounds, and a ride on the narrow-gauge steam train down Candy Cane Lane
- Price
- From $20
- Tickets
- On sale now online; walk-ups only if seats remain
- Best ages
- All ages; good for toddlers and kids who cannot stay up late
On three December Saturdays the Calera museum runs a daytime version for families who cannot do a late night. You ride the decorated train for about 45 minutes with recorded carols, then visit Santa for a photo on the grounds rather than on the train, and finish with a ride on the narrow-gauge Shelby & Southern steam train down Candy Cane Lane. Food trucks and craft vendors set up on the grounds.
It is a different show from the North Pole Express: no stop at the North Pole, no treats served on board and no first class. Seats are unassigned, so board early, which starts 15 minutes before departure. Caboose and locomotive cab tickets are sometimes available.
Check dates and tickets with Heart of Dixie RR Museum(opens in a new tab)North Alabama: Two Christmas Trains in Huntsville
The same split in the Tennessee Valley, on a smaller scale and a shorter ride.
Huntsville: the Santa Train at the North Alabama Railroad Museum
Santa trainNorth Alabama Railroad Museum · Huntsville
- Operator
- North Alabama Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- North Alabama Railroad Museum, Chase depot, Huntsville
- Season
- Saturdays December 5 and 12, 2026, at noon, 1:30 and 3:00 pm Central
- Ride length
- About 30 to 40 minutes
- What's included
- Santa on the platform before boarding, a ride through the countryside in enclosed heated coaches, and a present for every child 12 and under
- Price
- About $23 to $42 with fees, by class: Regular, First Class with a treat, and VIP suites and roomettes
- Tickets
- On sale now through Etix; sells out fast
- Best ages
- All ages; every rider needs a ticket, lap infants under 1 on an infant ticket
The North Alabama Railroad Museum runs its Santa Train from the restored Chase depot on the northeast side of Huntsville. Santa waits on the platform before boarding for hugs, wish lists and photos, then the train makes a short run through the countryside in enclosed, heated coaches. Every child 12 and under gets a present on the way off, a bigger one in First Class and the VIP cars, where a treat is also served at your seat and Santa stops by.
It is short enough for a toddler and starts at midday. Arrive 30 minutes early; parking is free and no outside food or drink is allowed. The museum’s wheelchair car is not on these trains, so call ahead if you need accommodations.
Check dates and tickets with North Alabama RR Museum(opens in a new tab)Huntsville: the North Star Limited after dark
Pajama Christmas trainNorth Alabama Railroad Museum · Huntsville
- Operator
- North Alabama Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- North Alabama Railroad Museum, Chase depot, Huntsville
- Season
- Fridays and Saturdays, December 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2026, at 5:45 and 7:45 pm Central
- Ride length
- About 45 minutes
- What's included
- An evening pajama ride with Santa, a gift for each child and a snack, in enclosed heated coaches
- Price
- About $39 to $55 with fees, by class
- Tickets
- On sale now through Etix
- Best ages
- All ages; pajamas encouraged
The North Star Limited is the Huntsville museum’s evening ride, a 45-minute pajama train on four December nights with Santa on board, a gift for every child and a snack. The coaches are enclosed and heated, so it works even on a cold Tennessee Valley night.
The 5:45 pm train is the better pick for little kids. It costs more than the daytime Santa Train, and like the day train, every rider needs a ticket. Book on the museum’s Etix page, which lists both trains by date.
Check dates and tickets with North Alabama RR Museum(opens in a new tab)Which Alabama Christmas Train Is Right for Your Kids
The full North Pole experience
Calera’s North Pole Express. It is the longest and most theatrical Alabama ride, with live carols and Santa coming aboard at the North Pole.
Toddlers and early bedtimes
Huntsville’s Santa Train at noon, about half an hour, or Calera’s Christmas at the Station on a Saturday morning.
The most for your money
Christmas at the Station: two train rides and a Santa photo from $20.
Mobile and the Gulf Coast
New Orleans’ licensed Polar Express is closer than either Alabama museum; see our Louisiana page.
How Far Alabama's Christmas Trains Are From the Big Cities
Typical drive times without holiday traffic.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | Calera | About 35 minutes |
| Montgomery | Calera | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Tuscaloosa | Calera | About 1 hour |
| Huntsville | Chase depot | About 15 minutes |
| Birmingham | Huntsville | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Huntsville | Chattanooga, TN | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Mobile | New Orleans, LA | About 2 hours 15 minutes |
North Alabama families are also close to Chattanooga’s North Pole Limited, on our Tennessee page, and east Alabama is a short drive from the Blue Ridge and Stone Mountain trains on our Georgia page.
Free to print
Something to color on I-65
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search. Print a set the night before.
Get the free printablesAlabama Holiday Train Details Worth Knowing
Central time
Both museums list departures in Central time. A 5:00 pm Central train leaves at 6:00 pm Georgia time, so set the right clock before you plan the drive.
Restrooms and food
Calera’s trains have no restrooms and allow no outside food; Huntsville also bans outside food and drink. Feed the kids before you board, or buy from the vendors on the Calera grounds.
Tickets for babies
Calera lets children under 2 ride free on a lap in most cars. In Huntsville every rider needs a ticket, and infants under 1 use a lap infant ticket attached to an adult’s.
Getting there by train
Amtrak’s Crescent stops in Birmingham, about 35 minutes from Calera; see our Crescent with kids guide. Mobile is on the Mardi Gras Service, covered on our Mardi Gras Service page.
Up Early, Suitcase Packed
Rally starts our book awake before anyone else, his favorite toys lined up by the suitcase. If your kids are the same on the morning of a Saturday Santa train, the daytime rides in Calera and Huntsville were made for you: no waiting all day for a 5:00 pm departure.
This story was my mom’s idea long before it was a book, and finishing it was how I kept her close; our story page says more. Print a few of our free Rally train pages for the car before you head out.
A train story for Alabama kidsRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi on his first train ride, hand-painted in watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon
More for holiday train families
- Find a Christmas train near you: type your town and see every ride in the country sorted by distance
- Christmas train guide by state: licensed rides, costs and booking tips
- Christmas trains in Louisiana
- Christmas trains in Tennessee
- Christmas trains in Georgia
- Every Amtrak route with kids, for a real train trip after the holidays
- Free Rally activity pack and coloring pages to print before the ride
Sources
- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum: North Pole Express(opens in a new tab)
- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum: Christmas at the Station(opens in a new tab)
- North Alabama Railroad Museum: Christmas season train rides(opens in a new tab)
- North Alabama Railroad Museum on Etix(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: Alabama Christmas Train Rides (2026)(opens in a new tab)
Checked against each railroad’s own pages on . THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Each ride is run by the railroad or museum named above; Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Rail Events or any railroad listed here. Book only through the operator’s own site, and confirm dates and prices there before you go.
Alabama Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Alabama?
No. Alabama has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026. Its holiday trains are the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum's North Pole Express and Christmas at the Station in Calera, and the North Alabama Railroad Museum's Santa Train and North Star Limited in Huntsville. For a licensed ride, Mobile families usually drive to New Orleans.
What Christmas train rides are in Alabama in 2026?
We confirmed four holiday train rides in Alabama for 2026: the North Pole Express in Calera; Christmas at the Station in Calera; the Santa Train in Huntsville; the North Star Limited in Huntsville. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which Alabama does not have in 2026. The season starts November 13 with the North Pole Express in Calera and ends December 20.
What Christmas events are there in Calera, Alabama, this year?
Two holiday train events run in Calera in 2026: North Pole Express from Heart of Dixie RR Museum (November 13 to December 20, $30 to $50); Christmas at the Station from Heart of Dixie RR Museum (December 5 to December 19, from $20). The North Pole Express in Calera includes a Christmas story and live carols, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves visiting every family for photos, a drink and treat, and a collectible ornament for each family. For other Calera, Alabama, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Huntsville, Alabama, this year?
Two holiday train events run in Huntsville in 2026: Santa Train from North Alabama RR Museum (December 5 and 12, about $23 to $42); North Star Limited from North Alabama RR Museum (December 4 to December 12, about $39 to $55). The Santa Train in Huntsville includes Santa on the platform before boarding, a ride through the countryside in enclosed heated coaches, and a present for every child 12 and under. For other Huntsville, Alabama, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Birmingham, Alabama find a Christmas train ride?
From Birmingham, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Calera, about 35 minutes; Huntsville, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Each Alabama ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Birmingham families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Montgomery, Alabama find a Christmas train ride?
From Montgomery, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Calera, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Each Alabama ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Montgomery families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Tuscaloosa, Alabama find a Christmas train ride?
From Tuscaloosa, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Calera, about 1 hour. Each Alabama ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Tuscaloosa families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Mobile, Alabama find a Christmas train ride?
From Mobile, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: New Orleans, LA, about 2 hours 15 minutes. Each Alabama ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Mobile families can compare before they drive.
How much is the North Pole Express in Calera?
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum lists 2026 North Pole Express fares at $30 for coach, $40 for the Entertainment Coach and $50 for First Class, which includes cocoa in a souvenir mug. A table car seats up to four for $250. Children under 2 ride free on a lap except in the table car.
Which Alabama Christmas train is best for a toddler?
The North Alabama Railroad Museum's Santa Train in Huntsville is the shortest, about 30 minutes, with midday departures and Santa on the platform before boarding. Calera's daytime Christmas at the Station is another good choice, with a 45-minute ride, a Santa photo and a short narrow-gauge steam train ride.
Are there restrooms on the Calera North Pole Express?
No. The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum says there are no restrooms on the North Pole Express train, so families should use the restrooms at the gift shop before boarding. The ride lasts about an hour and a half, and the museum asks guests to arrive about 60 minutes before departure.
Does the Huntsville Santa Train need a ticket for babies?
Yes. The North Alabama Railroad Museum requires a ticket for every rider on the Santa Train. Infants under 12 months can ride on a lap with an infant ticket attached to an adult ticket, but not in the VIP suites or roomettes. Children 12 and under receive a present when they leave the train.
Do any Alabama Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Alabama holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is the North Pole Express in Calera, which runs until December 20. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Alabama in the drive-time table above. Every family gets a collectible ornament, and each year's ornament features a different historic car from the museum's collection.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in Alabama?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in Alabama is for Christmas at the Station in Calera: from $20. At the top end is the North Star Limited in Huntsville: about $39 to $55. Prices come from each Alabama railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For Christmas at the Station in Calera: from $20.
When do Alabama Christmas train tickets go on sale?
On sale now: Christmas at the Station in Calera; the Santa Train in Huntsville; the North Star Limited in Huntsville. The North Pole Express in Calera: advance online tickets only; often sells out. Popular Alabama dates go first, so buy as soon as your ride opens.
Which Alabama Christmas trains have Santa?
All 4 Alabama rides on this page include Santa. The North Pole Express in Calera: a Christmas story and live carols, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves visiting every family for photos, a drink and treat, and a collectible ornament for each family. Christmas at the Station in Calera: a decorated train ride, a photo with Santa on the museum grounds, and a ride on the narrow-gauge steam train down Candy Cane Lane.
Are there steam-powered Christmas trains in Alabama?
One Alabama holiday train is listed with steam: Christmas at the Station in Calera. Christmas at the Station in Calera: a decorated train ride, a photo with Santa on the museum grounds, and a ride on the narrow-gauge steam train down Candy Cane Lane.
What happens on the North Pole Express in Calera?
The North Pole Express in Calera includes a Christmas story and live carols, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves visiting every family for photos, a drink and treat, and a collectible ornament for each family. For the Calera ride, plan on about 1 hour 30 minutes, including the stop among the lights. Every family gets a collectible ornament, and each year's ornament features a different historic car from the museum's collection.
What is included with Christmas at the Station in Calera?
Christmas at the Station in Calera includes a decorated train ride, a photo with Santa on the museum grounds, and a ride on the narrow-gauge steam train down Candy Cane Lane. For the Calera ride, plan on about 45 minutes on the train, plus time on the grounds. Kids get a second train ride on a tiny narrow-gauge steam train that runs only during this daytime event.
How long is the Santa Train in Huntsville?
For the Huntsville ride, plan on about 30 to 40 minutes. Included with the Santa Train in Huntsville: Santa on the platform before boarding, a ride through the countryside in enclosed heated coaches, and a present for every child 12 and under. Santa greets families on the loading platform before the train leaves, so photos happen in daylight before anyone gets restless.
How long is the North Star Limited in Huntsville?
For the Huntsville ride, plan on about 45 minutes. Included with the North Star Limited in Huntsville: an evening pajama ride with Santa, a gift for each child and a snack, in enclosed heated coaches. It is the Huntsville museum's nighttime train, so the countryside is dark and the coaches glow, which is the point.
Where do you board the North Pole Express in Calera?
The North Pole Express in Calera boards at Calera Depot, 1919 9th Street, in Calera. Arrive about an hour early and collect boarding passes at will call in the depot. No outside food comes aboard, but food vendors on the grounds sell dinner and cocoa. Heart of Dixie RR Museum tickets: advance online tickets only; often sells out.
Where do you board Christmas at the Station in Calera?
Christmas at the Station in Calera boards at Calera Depot, 1919 9th Street, in Calera. It is a different show from the North Pole Express: no stop at the North Pole, no treats served on board and no first class. Seats are unassigned, so board early, which starts 15 minutes before departure. Heart of Dixie RR Museum tickets: on sale now online; walk-ups only if seats remain.
Where does the Santa Train in Huntsville leave from?
The Santa Train in Huntsville boards at North Alabama Railroad Museum, Chase depot, 694 Chase Road NE, in Huntsville. Arrive 30 minutes early; parking is free and no outside food or drink is allowed. North Alabama RR Museum tickets: on sale now through Etix; sells out fast. Santa greets families on the loading platform before the train leaves, so photos happen in daylight before anyone gets restless.
Where do you board the North Star Limited in Huntsville?
The North Star Limited in Huntsville boards at North Alabama Railroad Museum, Chase depot, 694 Chase Road NE, in Huntsville. North Alabama RR Museum tickets: on sale now through Etix. It is the Huntsville museum's nighttime train, so the countryside is dark and the coaches glow, which is the point.
What should parents know before riding the North Pole Express in Calera?
Arrive about an hour early and collect boarding passes at will call in the depot. There are no restrooms on the train, so use the gift shop’s first. No outside food comes aboard, but food vendors on the grounds sell dinner and cocoa. The Frisco coach, the museum’s oldest, is not climate controlled, and the Long Island coach has the only wheelchair lift.