Christmas Train Rides in Iowa (2026)
Iowa’s holiday trains are run by volunteers, museums and one very determined small-town arts council, and each one is different. In Mount Pleasant a narrow-gauge train carries families to a North Pole full of crafts and cookies. In Boone the Santa Express rolls over the Des Moines River valley. In Hawarden, up in the northwest corner, a freight railroad lends its tracks for one day so the town can run a Holiday Express to Santa’s Village. Iowa has no licensed Polar Express; our Polar Express and holiday train guide lists the nearest.
The short version
- North Pole Express, Mount Pleasant: Dec 5 to Dec 20, from $35
- Santa Express, Boone: Weekends, Thanksgiving to Christmas, not posted yet
- Hawarden Holiday Express, Hawarden: Dec 4 to Dec 6 weekend, About $20
- No licensed Polar Express runs in Iowa in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
Iowa holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 3 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in Iowa in 2026
- Season
- December 4 to December 20, 2026
- Lowest fare
- About $20 (Hawarden Area Arts Council)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Iowa Christmas train runs
Hawarden Holiday Express in Hawarden starts first, on December 4, and North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant runs the latest, to December 20. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Hawarden Holiday ExpressHawarden · Dec 4 to Dec 6 weekend
- North Pole ExpressMount Pleasant · Dec 5 to Dec 20
Look inside the book
Riding a Iowa 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
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See who’s waiting at the station
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Iowa's Holiday Trains for 2026
On the map
Where Iowa’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Hawarden: Hawarden Holiday Express
- 2Boone: Santa Express
- 3Mount Pleasant: North Pole Express
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Iowa towns, for shape.
Southeast, central and northwest Iowa each have one.
Iowa's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Central Railroad | Mount Pleasant | Dec 5 to Dec 20 | From $35 | Reserve ahead |
| Boone & Scenic Valley | Boone | Weekends, Thanksgiving to Christmas | Not posted yet | Expected early November |
| Hawarden Area Arts Council | Hawarden | Dec 4 to Dec 6 weekend | About $20 | Watch for tickets |
Mount Pleasant: the Midwest Central Railroad North Pole Express
Santa trainMidwest Central Railroad · Mount Pleasant
- Operator
- Midwest Central Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Hillsboro Station, Midwest Old Threshers grounds, Mount Pleasant
- Season
- Weekends December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026; Saturdays at 10 am, noon, 2, 4 and 6 pm, Sundays at 10 am, noon, 2 and 4 pm
- Ride length
- About two hours, including time at the North Pole
- What's included
- A narrow-gauge train ride to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow princess, a Christmas Craft Room, Santa's toy trains and Mrs. Claus's Cookie Coco Factory
- Price
- From $35; reservations required; all sales final
- Tickets
- Reservations required
- Best ages
- All ages; best for ages 2 to 9
The Midwest Central Railroad preserves narrow-gauge steam and runs on the Midwest Old Threshers grounds in Mount Pleasant, and its North Pole Express is less a train ride than a whole afternoon. Families board at Hillsboro Station on the north end of the grounds and ride to the North Pole, where Santa, Mrs. Claus, a snow princess and the elves are waiting. There is a Christmas Craft Room, a room of Santa’s toy trains, and Mrs. Claus’s Cookie Coco Factory.
Plan on about two hours from departure. The coaches are not heated, so dress everyone for an Iowa December. Tickets are held at will call, the railroad asks families to arrive at least 20 minutes early and strongly suggests 30, and it cannot hold the train for latecomers. Day-of tickets are sold only if a train is not full.
Check dates and tickets with Midwest Central Railroad(opens in a new tab)Boone: the Boone and Scenic Valley Santa Express
Santa trainBoone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum · Boone
- Operator
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad depot, Boone
- Season
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas; 2026 dates not posted yet (2025 ran November 28 to December 21)
- Ride length
- About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- What's included
- A holiday train ride with Santa aboard
- Price
- Not posted yet for 2026
- Tickets
- Not on sale yet; in 2025 tickets went on sale November 1
- Best ages
- All ages
The Boone & Scenic Valley is Iowa’s best-known tourist railroad, and its Santa Express runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A ride lasts about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, through the Des Moines River valley west of town, with Santa on board.
As of mid-October the railroad had not posted 2026 dates or prices. Last year tickets went on sale November 1 and the season ran from November 28 to December 21, and the railroad reported whole days of Santa Express trains selling out. If you want a December weekend, watch its site at the start of November and buy early. The depot also has a railroad museum worth a stop.
Check dates and tickets with Boone & Scenic Valley(opens in a new tab)Hawarden: the Hawarden Holiday Express to Santa's Village
Holiday trainHawarden Area Arts Council · Hawarden
- Operator
- Hawarden Area Arts Council(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Calliope Village, Hawarden
- Season
- Hometown Holiday Weekend, December 4 to 6, 2026; ride times and tickets to be posted
- Ride length
- About 1 hour
- What's included
- A ride north to Santa's Village, a read-aloud of a holiday classic, music and surprise guests
- Price
- $20 a person in 2025; 2 and under free on a lap
- Tickets
- Tickets sold in advance only; link posted by the arts council
- Best ages
- All ages; 2 and under free on a lap
The Hawarden Holiday Express is a one-day small-town production. The Hawarden Area Arts Council borrows a train with the help of L.G. Everist and the D&I Railroad, boards passengers at Calliope Village, the historical society’s collection of old buildings, and runs an hour north to Santa’s Village and back. On board there is a read-aloud of a holiday classic, live music and surprise guests.
Tickets were $20 a person last year, with lap children 2 and under free, and they sold out before the ride. They are sold only in advance, through a link the arts council posts on its Facebook page and the library’s page. The money goes to local art programs. The Chamber lists the Holiday Express as part of Hawarden’s Hometown Holiday Weekend, December 4 to 6, which in past years ended with a holiday lights parade downtown.
Check dates and tickets with Hawarden Area Arts Council(opens in a new tab)Which Iowa Holiday Train Is Right for Your Family
You want the most to do
The North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant. Two hours, crafts, cookies and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Des Moines and Ames families
The Santa Express in Boone, under an hour from Des Moines.
Siouxland and the northwest corner
The Hawarden Holiday Express, if you can get tickets.
Free and short
A CPKC Holiday Train stop on November 24 or 25. There is no ride, but there is a lit-up train and a concert.
How Far Iowa's Holiday Trains Are From Major Cities
Typical winter drive times on clear roads.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | Boone | About 50 minutes |
| Iowa City | Mount Pleasant | About 50 minutes |
| Des Moines | Mount Pleasant | About 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Sioux City | Hawarden | About 50 minutes |
| Sioux Falls | Hawarden | About 1 hour |
| Quad Cities | Mount Pleasant | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Quad Cities families can also reach the Illinois Railway Museum’s Happy Holiday Railway, about two and a half hours east on our Illinois page. Southeast Iowa is about four hours from the licensed Polar Express at St. Louis Union Station on our Missouri page, and northeast Iowa families can see the Minnesota Streetcar Museum and Duluth trains on our Minnesota page.
Free to print
Coloring for the drive
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesThe CPKC Holiday Train in Iowa
The CPKC Holiday Train, a freight train covered in lights with a stage car, stops in four Iowa towns this year with free concerts by Magic! and MARIS. It is not a ride, and the railroad asks visitors to bring a donation for the local food bank.
Tuesday, November 24
Clinton, Main Avenue and Grant Street, 3:15 to 3:45 pm. Davenport, Modern Woodmen Park parking lot at Gaines Street and West River Drive, 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Muscatine, Riverside Park at Chestnut Street and Harbor Drive, 7:45 to 8:15 pm.
Wednesday, November 25
Ottumwa, 3867 Wildwood Drive, 10:00 to 10:30 am.
Getting there by Amtrak
The California Zephyr stops in Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston; see our California Zephyr with kids guide.
Watching the World Go By
In our book, Rally spends a long time with his nose against the window, watching fields and towns slide past. Iowa is good for that. On the Boone or Hawarden trains, give the kids the window seat and let them count barns, silos and Christmas lights.
Rally’s story began with my mom, and I finished it after she died; our story page has the rest. Print our free Rally coloring pages before you head out.
A train story for Iowa 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 Illinois
- Christmas trains in Missouri
- Christmas trains in Minnesota
- 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
- Midwest Central Railroad: North Pole Express(opens in a new tab)
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad: Santa Express posts(opens in a new tab)
- Travel Iowa: riding the rails in Boone(opens in a new tab)
- Hawarden Public Library: Hawarden Holiday Express(opens in a new tab)
- Hawarden Chamber of Commerce: Hometown Holiday Weekend(opens in a new tab)
- CPKC: U.S. Holiday Train schedule 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.
Iowa Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Iowa?
No. Iowa has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026. Its holiday trains are the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant, the Santa Express in Boone and the Hawarden Holiday Express. The closest licensed Polar Express rides are at St. Louis Union Station and in Monticello, Illinois.
What Christmas train rides are in Iowa in 2026?
We confirmed three holiday train rides in Iowa for 2026: the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant; the Santa Express in Boone; the Hawarden Holiday Express. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which Iowa does not have in 2026. The season starts December 4 with the Hawarden Holiday Express and ends December 20.
What Christmas events are there in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, this year?
For families, Mount Pleasant has North Pole Express from Midwest Central Railroad (December 5 to December 20, from $35). It includes a narrow-gauge train ride to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow princess, a Christmas Craft Room, Santa's toy trains and Mrs. Claus's Cookie Coco Factory. For other Mount Pleasant, Iowa, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Boone, Iowa, this year?
For families, Boone has Santa Express from Boone & Scenic Valley (weekends, Thanksgiving to Christmas, not posted yet). It includes a holiday train ride with Santa aboard. Plan on about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. The railroad runs through the Des Moines River valley, and its trains sell out on busy December days. For other Boone, Iowa, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are happening in Hawarden, Iowa, in 2026?
For families, Hawarden has Hawarden Holiday Express from Hawarden Area Arts Council (December 4 to December 6 weekend, about $20). It includes a ride north to Santa's Village, a read-aloud of a holiday classic, music and surprise guests. Plan on about 1 hour. The tracks belong to a working freight line, and the 2025 rides sold out before the event. For other Hawarden, Iowa, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Des Moines, Iowa find a Christmas train ride?
From Des Moines, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Boone, about 50 minutes; Mount Pleasant, about 2 hours 15 minutes. Each Iowa ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Des Moines families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Iowa City, Iowa find a Christmas train ride?
From Iowa City, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Mount Pleasant, about 50 minutes. Each Iowa ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Iowa City families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Sioux City, Iowa find a Christmas train ride?
From Sioux City, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Hawarden, about 50 minutes. Each Iowa ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Sioux City families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Sioux Falls, Iowa find a Christmas train ride?
From Sioux Falls, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Hawarden, about 1 hour. Each Iowa ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Sioux Falls families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Quad Cities, Iowa find a Christmas train ride?
From Quad Cities, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Mount Pleasant, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Each Iowa ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Quad Cities families can compare before they drive.
When do Boone Santa Express tickets go on sale?
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad had not announced 2026 Santa Express dates or prices by mid-October. In 2025 tickets went on sale November 1 for trains on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 to December 21, and several days sold out completely.
How long is the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant?
About two hours once the train leaves Hillsboro Depot. That includes the ride and time at the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a craft room, toy trains and a cookie and cocoa room. The coaches are not heated, so families should dress for the weather.
Where does the CPKC Holiday Train stop in Iowa in 2026?
The CPKC Holiday Train stops in Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine on Tuesday, November 24, and in Ottumwa on the morning of Wednesday, November 25. Each stop is a free 30-minute concert from a stage on the train. Visitors are asked to bring food bank donations.
Do any Iowa Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Iowa holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant, which runs until December 20. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Iowa in the drive-time table above. The coaches are not heated, and the North Pole has both heated and unheated areas.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in Iowa?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in Iowa is for the Hawarden Holiday Express: About $20. At the top end is the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant: from $35. Prices come from each Iowa railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For the Hawarden Holiday Express: $20 a person in 2025; 2 and under free on a lap.
Which Iowa Christmas train is best for toddlers?
The shortest Iowa ride, and usually the easiest for toddlers, is the Hawarden Holiday Express: about 1 hour. The longest is the Santa Express in Boone, at about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Ages for the Hawarden Holiday Express: all ages; 2 and under free on a lap. The tracks belong to a working freight line, and the 2025 rides sold out before the event.
Which Iowa Christmas trains have Santa?
All 3 Iowa rides on this page include Santa. The North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant: a narrow-gauge train ride to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow princess, a Christmas Craft Room, Santa's toy trains and Mrs. Claus's Cookie Coco Factory. The Santa Express in Boone: a holiday train ride with Santa aboard.
How much is the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant?
The North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant costs from $35; reservations required; all sales final. The North Pole Express runs weekends December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026; Saturdays at 10 am, noon, 2, 4 and 6 pm, Sundays at 10 am, noon, 2 and 4 pm. Midwest Central Railroad tickets: reservations required.
How long is the Santa Express in Boone?
For the Boone ride, plan on about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Included with the Santa Express in Boone: a holiday train ride with Santa aboard. The railroad runs through the Des Moines River valley, and its trains sell out on busy December days.
How much is the Hawarden Holiday Express?
The Hawarden Holiday Express costs $20 a person in 2025; 2 and under free on a lap. Season: Hometown Holiday Weekend, December 4 to 6, 2026; ride times and tickets to be posted. Tickets sold in advance only; link posted by the arts council. Hawarden Area Arts Council age rules: all ages; 2 and under free on a lap.
Any tips for the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant with young kids?
Plan on about two hours from departure. The coaches are not heated, so dress everyone for an Iowa December. Tickets are held at will call, the railroad asks families to arrive at least 20 minutes early and strongly suggests 30, and it cannot hold the train for latecomers. Day-of tickets are sold only if a train is not full.
Where does the Santa Express in Boone leave from?
The Santa Express in Boone boards at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad depot, 225 10th Street, in Boone. If you want a December weekend, watch its site at the start of November and buy early. Boone & Scenic Valley tickets: not on sale yet; in 2025 tickets went on sale November 1. The railroad runs through the Des Moines River valley, and its trains sell out on busy December days.
What is included with the Hawarden Holiday Express?
The Hawarden Holiday Express includes a ride north to Santa's Village, a read-aloud of a holiday classic, music and surprise guests. For the Hawarden ride, plan on about 1 hour. The tracks belong to a working freight line, and the 2025 rides sold out before the event.
Is the North Pole Express in Mount Pleasant good for toddlers?
Midwest Central Railroad lists ages as: all ages; best for ages 2 to 9. For the Mount Pleasant ride, plan on about two hours, including time at the North Pole. The coaches are not heated, and the North Pole has both heated and unheated areas.
Any tips for the Santa Express in Boone with young kids?
As of mid-October the railroad had not posted 2026 dates or prices. Last year tickets went on sale November 1 and the season ran from November 28 to December 21, and the railroad reported whole days of Santa Express trains selling out. If you want a December weekend, watch its site at the start of November and buy early.
Any tips for the Hawarden Holiday Express with young kids?
Tickets were $20 a person last year, with lap children 2 and under free, and they sold out before the ride. They are sold only in advance, through a link the arts council posts on its Facebook page and the library’s page. The money goes to local art programs. The Chamber lists the Holiday Express as part of Hawarden’s Hometown Holiday Weekend, December 4 to 6, which in past years ended with a holiday lights parade downtown.
Do babies need a ticket for the Hawarden Holiday Express?
Hawarden Area Arts Council lists ages as: all ages; 2 and under free on a lap. For the Hawarden ride, plan on about 1 hour. The tracks belong to a working freight line, and the 2025 rides sold out before the event.