Christmas Train Rides in Delaware (2026)
Delaware’s holiday trains both leave from one small station in the Red Clay Valley outside Wilmington, and the Wilmington & Western is careful to tell families which one has Santa on it. The daytime Santa Claus Special does, sometimes behind an antique steam engine. The evening Holiday Lights Express does not; it is all about century-old coaches covered in lights and the neighbors’ decorated yards along the line. Delaware has no licensed Polar Express, and our Christmas train map shows the nearest ones.
The short version
- Santa Claus Special, Wilmington: Nov 27 to Dec 24, from $25
- Holiday Lights Express, Wilmington: Dec 3 to Dec 31, from $18
- No licensed Polar Express runs in Delaware in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
Delaware holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in Delaware in 2026
- Season
- November 27 to December 31, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $18 (Wilmington & Western)
- After Christmas
- Wilmington & Western (to December 31)
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Delaware Christmas train runs
Santa Claus Special in Wilmington starts first, on November 27, and Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington runs the latest, to December 31. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Santa Claus SpecialWilmington · Nov 27 to Dec 24
- Holiday Lights ExpressWilmington · Dec 3 to Dec 31
Look inside the book
Riding a Delaware 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.
Delaware's Two Holiday Trains for 2026
On the map
Where Delaware’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Wilmington: Santa Claus Special
- 1Wilmington: Holiday Lights Express
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Delaware towns, for shape.
Same railroad, same station, two very different rides.
Delaware's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington & Western | Wilmington | Nov 27 to Dec 24 | From $25 | On sale now |
| Wilmington & Western | Wilmington | Dec 3 to Dec 31 | From $18 | On sale now |
Wilmington: the Santa Claus Special from Greenbank Station
Santa trainWilmington & Western Railroad · Wilmington
- Operator
- Wilmington & Western Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Greenbank Station, Wilmington
- Season
- November 27 and 28 and December 24, 2026, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm; November 29, 12:30 to 5:30 pm; weekends December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20 at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30 pm
- Ride length
- About 60 to 65 minutes round trip
- What's included
- Santa riding the train, greeting everyone, posing for photos and giving every child a treat
- Price
- From $25 in coach; parlor car seats and a private caboose cost more; under 2 free
- Tickets
- On sale now; reservations strongly encouraged
- Best ages
- All ages; toddlers under 2 free
The Wilmington & Western, run by the nonprofit Historic Red Clay Valley, sums up its Santa Claus Special this way: skip the mall line and let Santa come to you. Santa rides the train for the hour-long round trip, greets every passenger, poses for photos and gives every child a treat. The train is pulled by a historic diesel or one of the railroad’s antique steam engines, depending on the day.
In coach, the railroad asks families to pick four seats together as a family pod. Tickets are held at the Greenbank ticket counter under your last name and must be picked up 15 minutes before departure; they are not mailed or emailed. Arrive 30 minutes early; parking is free. It is one of the few Santa trains that runs on Christmas Eve.
Check dates and tickets with Wilmington & Western(opens in a new tab)Wilmington: the Holiday Lights Express after dark
Holiday lights trainWilmington & Western Railroad · Wilmington
- Operator
- Wilmington & Western Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Greenbank Station, Wilmington
- Season
- Evenings December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 20, December 23 and December 26 to 31, 2026, at 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
- Ride length
- About 60 minutes
- What's included
- Heated, 100-year-old coaches covered in thousands of lights, and decorated homes and yards along the line; no Santa on this train
- Price
- From $18 in coach; parlor and caboose options cost more
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; lap toddlers free, car seats need a free toddler seat
The Holiday Lights Express is the Wilmington & Western’s evening train: heated coaches about a hundred years old, each covered in thousands of lights, pulled by a historic diesel through the Red Clay Valley. Many neighbors along the tracks decorate their houses and yards for the train. The railroad is clear that Santa does not ride this one.
It runs through the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which makes it a good outing when school is out and the Santa trains are over. A lap toddler rides free; a baby in a car seat needs a free toddler seat. The station has a wheelchair lift, but train doorways are 24 inches wide and wheelchair storage is limited.
Check dates and tickets with Wilmington & Western(opens in a new tab)Santa Claus Special or Holiday Lights Express
Your kids want Santa
The Santa Claus Special. It is the only one of the two with Santa on board.
You want lights and a later bedtime
The Holiday Lights Express, with trains at 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 pm.
Toddlers
A midday Santa Claus Special on a December weekend.
Between Christmas and New Year's
The Holiday Lights Express runs nightly from December 26 to 31.
How Far Greenbank Station Is From Nearby Cities
Typical drive times without holiday traffic.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Wilmington | Greenbank Station | About 10 minutes |
| Newark, DE | Greenbank Station | About 20 minutes |
| Dover | Greenbank Station | About 50 minutes |
| Philadelphia | Greenbank Station | About 40 minutes |
| Wilmington | Baltimore (licensed Polar Express) | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
The nearest licensed Polar Express is at the B&O museum in Baltimore, on our Maryland page. Wilmington is also within an hour of Strasburg and the Colebrookdale on our Pennsylvania page, and South Jersey families can see their options on our New Jersey page.
Free to print
Coloring for the ride home
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesDelaware Holiday Train Details Worth Knowing
Tickets wait at the counter
The Wilmington & Western does not mail or email tickets. They are printed and held at the Greenbank Station counter under the last name on your booking, and unclaimed tickets for no-shows are not refunded.
Rain or shine
Both trains run in any weather, and the railroad may swap engines or coaches.
Getting there by train
Wilmington’s Amtrak station, about 15 minutes from Greenbank, is on the Northeast Regional and Acela; see our Northeast Regional with kids guide.
Mr. Conductor Knows the Way
The moment Rally meets Mr. Conductor is one of my favorite pages in our book, because he looks so sure the train ride will never end. On a small volunteer railroad like the Wilmington & Western, the crew is close enough to say hello, so let the kids wave.
Rally’s story is my mom’s, finished by me after she died; our story page tells it. Before the ride, print a stack of our free Rally pages to color at home.
A train story for Delaware 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 Maryland
- Christmas trains in Pennsylvania
- Christmas trains in New Jersey
- 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
- Wilmington & Western Railroad: schedule(opens in a new tab)
- Wilmington & Western: Santa Claus Special booking(opens in a new tab)
- Wilmington & Western: Holiday Lights Express booking(opens in a new tab)
- Spotatrain: Delaware rail events(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.
Delaware Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Delaware?
No. Delaware has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026. The state's holiday trains are the Wilmington and Western Railroad's Santa Claus Special and Holiday Lights Express, both from Greenbank Station. The closest licensed Polar Express is at the B and O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, about an hour and 15 minutes away.
What Christmas train rides are in Delaware in 2026?
We confirmed two holiday train rides in Delaware for 2026: the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington; the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which Delaware does not have in 2026. The season starts November 27 with the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington and ends December 31.
What Christmas events are happening in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2026?
Two holiday train events run in Wilmington in 2026: Santa Claus Special from Wilmington & Western (November 27 to December 24, from $25); Holiday Lights Express from Wilmington & Western (December 3 to December 31, from $18). The Santa Claus Special in Wilmington includes Santa riding the train, greeting everyone, posing for photos and giving every child a treat. For other Wilmington, Delaware, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Downtown Wilmington, Delaware find a Christmas train ride?
From Downtown Wilmington, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Greenbank Station, about 10 minutes. Each Delaware ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Downtown Wilmington families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Newark, DE find a Christmas train ride?
From Newark, DE, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Greenbank Station, about 20 minutes. Each Delaware ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Newark, DE families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Dover, Delaware find a Christmas train ride?
From Dover, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Greenbank Station, about 50 minutes. Each Delaware ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Dover families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Philadelphia, Delaware find a Christmas train ride?
From Philadelphia, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Greenbank Station, about 40 minutes. Each Delaware ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Philadelphia families can compare before they drive.
Does Santa ride the Holiday Lights Express?
No. The Wilmington and Western says Santa does not visit on the Holiday Lights Express. That evening train is about the lights on its heated, century-old coaches and the decorated homes along the line. Santa rides only the daytime Santa Claus Special, which runs on weekends from late November to Christmas Eve.
How much is the Wilmington and Western Santa Claus Special?
Coach seats on the Santa Claus Special start at $25 for 2026, with parlor car seats and a private caboose rental costing more. Toddlers under 2 ride free. The round trip lasts about an hour, and Santa greets every passenger, poses for photos and gives every child a treat.
Do I need to print tickets for the Wilmington and Western?
No. The railroad does not mail or email tickets. They are printed and held at the Greenbank Station ticket counter under the last name on the reservation, and must be picked up at least 15 minutes before departure. The railroad asks guests to arrive 30 minutes early.
Are there any Delaware Christmas trains after Christmas?
Yes. The Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington runs until December 31. Every other Delaware ride on this page ends by Christmas Eve. The Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington: evenings December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 20, December 23 and December 26 to 31, 2026, at 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 pm.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in Delaware?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in Delaware is for the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington: from $18. At the top end is the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington: from $25. Prices come from each Delaware railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington: from $18 in coach; parlor and caboose options cost more.
Which Delaware Christmas trains have Santa?
All 2 Delaware rides on this page include Santa. The Santa Claus Special in Wilmington: Santa riding the train, greeting everyone, posing for photos and giving every child a treat. The Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington: heated, 100-year-old coaches covered in thousands of lights, and decorated homes and yards along the line; no Santa on this train.
Where do you pick up Wilmington and Western holiday train tickets?
The Wilmington & Western does not mail or email tickets. They are printed and held at the Greenbank Station counter under the last name on your booking, and unclaimed tickets for no-shows are not refunded.
What is included with the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington?
The Santa Claus Special in Wilmington includes Santa riding the train, greeting everyone, posing for photos and giving every child a treat. For the Wilmington ride, plan on about 60 to 65 minutes round trip. The railroad pulls some Santa trains with one of its antique steam locomotives, and it runs on Christmas Eve.
What is included with the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington?
The Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington includes heated, 100-year-old coaches covered in thousands of lights, and decorated homes and yards along the line; no Santa on this train. For the Wilmington ride, plan on about 60 minutes. Neighbors along the Red Clay Valley line decorate their homes and yards for the passing train.
Any tips for the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington with young kids?
In coach, the railroad asks families to pick four seats together as a family pod. Tickets are held at the Greenbank ticket counter under your last name and must be picked up 15 minutes before departure; they are not mailed or emailed. Arrive 30 minutes early; parking is free. It is one of the few Santa trains that runs on Christmas Eve.
Any tips for the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington with young kids?
It runs through the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which makes it a good outing when school is out and the Santa trains are over. A lap toddler rides free; a baby in a car seat needs a free toddler seat. The station has a wheelchair lift, but train doorways are 24 inches wide and wheelchair storage is limited.
Do babies need a ticket for the Santa Claus Special in Wilmington?
Wilmington & Western lists ages as: all ages; toddlers under 2 free. For the Wilmington ride, plan on about 60 to 65 minutes round trip. The railroad pulls some Santa trains with one of its antique steam locomotives, and it runs on Christmas Eve.
Do babies need a ticket for the Holiday Lights Express in Wilmington?
Wilmington & Western lists ages as: all ages; lap toddlers free, car seats need a free toddler seat. For the Wilmington ride, plan on about 60 minutes. Neighbors along the Red Clay Valley line decorate their homes and yards for the passing train.