Christmas Train Rides in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota has no licensed Polar Express, but it may have the best holiday train season in the Upper Midwest anyway. In Duluth, the North Shore Scenic Railroad runs a storybook Christmas City Express to the shore of Lake Superior. In Minneapolis, Santa rides a historic streetcar between the lakes. In St. Paul, the Jackson Street Roundhouse runs caboose rides and has Santa waiting in a mail car. And the CPKC Holiday Train makes 25 free stops across the state in December, more than anywhere else in the country. For licensed Polar Express rides nearby, see our Polar Express and Christmas train guide.
The short version
- Christmas City Express, Duluth: Nov 27 to Dec 20, from $38
- Holly Trolley, Minneapolis: Nov 28 to Dec 6, from $5
- Santa's Train Shop, St. Paul: Nov 28 to Dec 6, see museum site
- No licensed Polar Express runs in Minnesota in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
Minnesota holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 3 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in Minnesota in 2026
- Season
- November 27 to December 20, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $5 (Minnesota Streetcar Museum)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Minnesota Christmas train runs
Christmas City Express in Duluth has the longest season, November 27 to December 20. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Christmas City ExpressDuluth · Nov 27 to Dec 20
- Holly TrolleyMinneapolis · Nov 28 to Dec 6
- Santa's Train ShopSt. Paul · Nov 28 to Dec 6
Look inside the book
Riding a Minnesota 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.
Minnesota's Holiday Trains for 2026
On the map
Where Minnesota’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Duluth: Christmas City Express
- 2Minneapolis: Holly Trolley
- 2St. Paul: Santa's Train Shop
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Minnesota towns, for shape.
Three holiday rides, from the Twin Cities to the North Shore.
Minnesota's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore Scenic Railroad | Duluth | Nov 27 to Dec 20 | From $38 | On sale now |
| Minnesota Streetcar Museum | Minneapolis | Nov 28 to Dec 6 | From $5 | Day of, at the station |
| Minnesota Transportation Museum | St. Paul | Nov 28 to Dec 6 | See museum site | On sale now |
Duluth: the Christmas City Express to Lake Superior
Holiday storybook trainNorth Shore Scenic Railroad (Lake Superior Railroad Museum) · Duluth
- Operator
- North Shore Scenic Railroad (Lake Superior Railroad Museum)(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Duluth Depot, Duluth
- Season
- November 27 and 28; December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 20, 2026; Fridays 4:15 to 7:15 pm, Saturdays 3:15 to 7:15 pm, Sundays 3:15 to 6:15 pm
- Ride length
- About 90 minutes in all, with a 30-minute train ride
- What's included
- A reading of the Christmas City Express story, carolers and a special guest in the museum, then a train ride to the lakeshore with music, lights, hot chocolate and cookies
- Price
- From $38 in Coach; SkyView dome car seats cost more; a premium-day fee applies on Saturdays
- Tickets
- On sale now; space is very limited
- Best ages
- Best for children under 10; 2 and under free in Coach
The North Shore Scenic Railroad designed the Christmas City Express for short attention spans, and it shows. The evening starts inside the Lake Superior Railroad Museum at the historic Duluth Depot with a reading of the Christmas City Express story, carolers and a special guest. Then families board for a 30-minute ride out to the shore of Lake Superior with holiday music, singalongs and twinkling lights, and hot chocolate and cookies are served on board. Local musicians play before and after each show.
The whole visit takes about 90 minutes. Kids should bring a letter to Santa with a return address, because Santa answers by mail. The story show is wheelchair accessible but the train has about four steps to board. Come earlier in the day for a half-price museum combo; the museum closes to general visitors once the shows start.
Check dates and tickets with North Shore Scenic Railroad(opens in a new tab)Minneapolis: the Holly Trolley on the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
Santa streetcarMinnesota Streetcar Museum · Minneapolis
- Operator
- Minnesota Streetcar Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Linden Hills streetcar station, Minneapolis
- Season
- Saturdays and Sundays, November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, noon to 3:30 pm
- Ride length
- About 25 minutes
- What's included
- A ride on a holiday-decorated historic streetcar with Santa visiting each child, then marshmallows by the fire
- Price
- From $5; tickets sold at the station on the day
- Tickets
- Day-of tickets from about 11:30 am
- Best ages
- All ages
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum runs historic streetcars between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, and on two weekends after Thanksgiving it decorates one and puts Santa aboard. The ride is about 25 minutes, long enough for Santa to visit with every child, and afterward families toast marshmallows by a fire while Boy Scouts sell hot drinks, s’mores kits and hot dogs.
At $5 it is the best value holiday train in the state. Tickets are sold only at the Linden Hills station on the day, starting around 11:30 am, and each ticket is for a specific trip, so you can buy one and wander instead of standing in line. The streetcars are not wheelchair accessible, though the station is. Bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
Check dates and tickets with Minnesota Streetcar Museum(opens in a new tab)St. Paul: Santa's Train Shop at the Jackson Street Roundhouse
Caboose rides with SantaMinnesota Transportation Museum · St. Paul
- Operator
- Minnesota Transportation Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Jackson Street Roundhouse, St. Paul
- Season
- November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 and 11:30 am, 1:00 and 2:30 pm
- Ride length
- A short caboose ride plus museum activities
- What's included
- Christmas caboose rides, photos with Santa aboard the North Pole Mail Train, crafts, story time and snacks
- Price
- See the museum's events page
- Tickets
- On sale now; sells out quickly
- Best ages
- All ages
The Minnesota Transportation Museum turns its historic Jackson Street Roundhouse into Santa’s Train Shop for two weekends. Kids take Christmas caboose rides, climb aboard the North Pole Mail Train for photos with Santa, and fill the rest of the visit with crafts, story time and snacks inside a working roundhouse full of locomotives.
It is a short-ride, lots-to-do event, which makes it a good fit for toddlers and preschoolers, and the roundhouse is indoors, which matters in a Minnesota December. The museum says tickets sell out quickly.
Check dates and tickets with Minnesota Transportation Museum(opens in a new tab)Which Minnesota Holiday Train Is Right for You
The biggest experience
Duluth’s Christmas City Express, with a story show and a lakeshore ride.
Minneapolis families on a budget
The Holly Trolley, from $5.
Toddlers in winter
Santa’s Train Shop in St. Paul, mostly indoors.
Free
A CPKC Holiday Train stop near you, listed below.
How Far Minnesota's Holiday Trains Are From Major Cities
Typical winter drive times on clear roads.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Duluth | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| St. Paul | Linden Hills, Minneapolis | About 20 minutes |
| Minneapolis | Jackson Street Roundhouse | About 20 minutes |
| Rochester | St. Paul | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Minneapolis | Green Bay, WI (Polar Express) | About 4 hours 30 minutes |
The closest licensed Polar Express is at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay on our Wisconsin page, along with the Santa Pizza Train in Trego, about two hours from Minneapolis. Southern Minnesota families can also reach the Iowa trains on our Iowa page, and the Red River Valley is close to the trains on our North Dakota page.
Free to print
Something for the drive north
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesThe CPKC Holiday Train in Minnesota
The lit-up CPKC Holiday Train makes 25 free stops in Minnesota in 2026, each a 30-minute concert from a stage car. There is no ride, and the railroad asks visitors to bring food bank donations. Check CPKC’s schedule for the exact spot in each town.
Friday, December 11, with Allen Stone
Rochester 1:15 pm, Owatonna 3:45 pm, Waseca 5:30 pm, Janesville 7:15 pm.
Saturday, December 12, with Allen Stone
La Crescent 2:15 pm, Winona 3:45 pm, Wabasha 5:45 pm, Red Wing 7:15 pm, Hastings 8:45 pm.
Sunday, December 13, with Allen Stone
Cottage Grove 5:15 pm, St. Paul Union Depot 7:00 pm.
Monday, December 14, with Allen Stone
Golden Valley 5:00 pm, St. Louis Park 6:15 pm, Minneapolis (37th Avenue and Stinson Boulevard) 8:15 pm.
Wednesday, December 16, with Shawnee Kish and Jamie Fine
Loretto 4:30 pm, Buffalo 6:00 pm, Annandale 7:30 pm, Kimball 9:00 pm.
Thursday, December 17, with Shawnee Kish and Jamie Fine
Glenwood 10:15 am, Alexandria 11:45 am, Detroit Lakes 2:45 pm, Mahnomen 4:20 pm, Plummer 6:15 pm, Thief River Falls 7:45 pm.
Friday, December 18, with Shawnee Kish and Jamie Fine
Elbow Lake 4:30 pm.
Minnesota Holiday Train Details Worth Knowing
Night Trains in St. Paul
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum’s Night Trains season runs Saturday evenings from November through February: lights down, snowy model towns glowing, holiday trains running. There is nothing to ride, but kids love it, and children 4 and under are free.
Dress for the platform
The Holly Trolley and the CPKC stops are outdoors, and so is boarding in Duluth.
Getting there by Amtrak
The Borealis and the Empire Builder stop at St. Paul Union Depot; see our Empire Builder with kids guide.
Cozy on the Train
Rally is a corgi, built low to the ground, and he would have opinions about a Minnesota December. In our book he finds the warmest spot on the train, and that is the right instinct on a cold night in Duluth: dress warm, grab the cocoa and watch the lights.
Rally’s story started with my mom, and I finished it after she died; our story page tells it. Print our free Rally coloring pages for the drive.
A train story for Minnesota 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 Wisconsin
- Christmas trains in Iowa
- Christmas trains in North Dakota
- 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
- North Shore Scenic Railroad: Christmas City Express(opens in a new tab)
- Minnesota Streetcar Museum: Como-Harriet special events(opens in a new tab)
- Minnesota Transportation Museum: events(opens in a new tab)
- Twin City Model Railroad Museum: Night Trains(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.
Minnesota Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota has no licensed Polar Express in 2026. The closest is at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Minnesota's own holiday trains include Duluth's Christmas City Express, the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis and Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul.
What Christmas train rides are in Minnesota in 2026?
We confirmed three holiday train rides in Minnesota for 2026: the Christmas City Express in Duluth; the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis; Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which Minnesota does not have in 2026. The season starts November 27 with the Christmas City Express in Duluth and ends December 20.
What Christmas events are happening in Duluth, Minnesota, in 2026?
For families, Duluth has Christmas City Express from North Shore Scenic Railroad (November 27 to December 20, from $38). It includes a reading of the Christmas City Express story, carolers and a special guest in the museum, then a train ride to the lakeshore with music, lights, hot chocolate and cookies. For other Duluth, Minnesota, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this year?
For families, Minneapolis has Holly Trolley from Minnesota Streetcar Museum (November 28 to December 6, from $5). It includes a ride on a holiday-decorated historic streetcar with Santa visiting each child, then marshmallows by the fire. Plan on about 25 minutes. Families are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. For other Minneapolis, Minnesota, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are happening in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2026?
For families, St. Paul has Santa's Train Shop from Minnesota Transportation Museum (November 28 to December 6, see museum site). It includes Christmas caboose rides, photos with Santa aboard the North Pole Mail Train, crafts, story time and snacks. Plan on a short caboose ride plus museum activities. For other St. Paul, Minnesota, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Rochester, Minnesota find a Christmas train ride?
From Rochester, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: St. Paul, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Each Minnesota ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Rochester families can compare before they drive.
How much is the Christmas City Express in Duluth?
Coach tickets start at $38 for 2026, with SkyView dome car seats costing more and a premium-day fee on Saturdays. Children 2 and under ride free in Coach. The whole experience lasts about 90 minutes, including a story show in the museum and a 30-minute ride to Lake Superior.
Where does the CPKC Holiday Train stop in Minnesota in 2026?
The CPKC Holiday Train makes 25 Minnesota stops from December 11 to 18, 2026, including Rochester, Winona, Red Wing, St. Paul Union Depot, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, Buffalo, Alexandria, Detroit Lakes and Thief River Falls. Each stop is a free 30-minute concert.
How do Holly Trolley tickets work?
Holly Trolley tickets are sold only on the day at the Linden Hills streetcar station in Minneapolis, starting around 11:30 am. Each ticket is for a specific trip, so you can buy one and come back for your ride. Rides run noon to 3:30 pm on November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6.
Do any Minnesota Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Minnesota holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is the Christmas City Express in Duluth, which runs until December 20. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Minnesota in the drive-time table above. Bring a letter to Santa with your return address, and Santa writes back by mail.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in Minnesota?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in Minnesota is for the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: from $5. At the top end is the Christmas City Express in Duluth: from $38. Prices come from each Minnesota railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: from $5; tickets sold at the station on the day.
Which Minnesota Christmas train is best for toddlers?
The shortest Minnesota ride, and usually the easiest for toddlers, is the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: about 25 minutes. The longest is the Christmas City Express in Duluth, at about 90 minutes in all, with a 30-minute train ride. Ages for the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: all ages. Families are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
Which Minnesota Christmas trains have Santa?
Two of the 3 Minnesota rides on this page include Santa. The Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: a ride on a holiday-decorated historic streetcar with Santa visiting each child, then marshmallows by the fire. Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul: Christmas caboose rides, photos with Santa aboard the North Pole Mail Train, crafts, story time and snacks.
What is Night Trains in St. Paul?
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum’s Night Trains season runs Saturday evenings from November through February: lights down, snowy model towns glowing, holiday trains running. There is nothing to ride, but kids love it, and children 4 and under are free.
What happens on the Christmas City Express in Duluth?
The Christmas City Express in Duluth includes a reading of the Christmas City Express story, carolers and a special guest in the museum, then a train ride to the lakeshore with music, lights, hot chocolate and cookies. For the Duluth ride, plan on about 90 minutes in all, with a 30-minute train ride. Bring a letter to Santa with your return address, and Santa writes back by mail.
How long is the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis?
For the Minneapolis ride, plan on about 25 minutes. Included with the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis: a ride on a holiday-decorated historic streetcar with Santa visiting each child, then marshmallows by the fire. Families are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
What does Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul cost in 2026?
Minnesota Transportation Museum posts current Santa's Train Shop fares on its booking page rather than a single price list. Santa's Train Shop runs November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 and 11:30 am, 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Minnesota Transportation Museum tickets: on sale now; sells out quickly. Minnesota Transportation Museum age rules: all ages.
Where does the Christmas City Express in Duluth leave from?
The Christmas City Express in Duluth boards at Duluth Depot, 506 West Michigan Street, in Duluth. The story show is wheelchair accessible but the train has about four steps to board. North Shore Scenic Railroad tickets: on sale now; space is very limited. Bring a letter to Santa with your return address, and Santa writes back by mail.
Where do you board the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis?
The Holly Trolley in Minneapolis boards at Linden Hills streetcar station, 2330 West 42nd Street, in Minneapolis. Minnesota Streetcar Museum tickets: day-of tickets from about 11:30 am. Families are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
How long is Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul?
Minnesota Transportation Museum ride length: a short caboose ride plus museum activities. Included with Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul: Christmas caboose rides, photos with Santa aboard the North Pole Mail Train, crafts, story time and snacks. Santa waits for photos inside a railroad mail car the museum calls the North Pole Mail Train.
Any tips for the Christmas City Express in Duluth with young kids?
The whole visit takes about 90 minutes. Kids should bring a letter to Santa with a return address, because Santa answers by mail. The story show is wheelchair accessible but the train has about four steps to board. Come earlier in the day for a half-price museum combo; the museum closes to general visitors once the shows start.
Any tips for the Holly Trolley in Minneapolis with young kids?
At $5 it is the best value holiday train in the state. Tickets are sold only at the Linden Hills station on the day, starting around 11:30 am, and each ticket is for a specific trip, so you can buy one and wander instead of standing in line. The streetcars are not wheelchair accessible, though the station is.
Where do you board Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul?
Santa's Train Shop in St. Paul boards at Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Avenue East, in St. Paul. Minnesota Transportation Museum tickets: on sale now; sells out quickly. Santa waits for photos inside a railroad mail car the museum calls the North Pole Mail Train.
Do babies need a ticket for the Christmas City Express in Duluth?
North Shore Scenic Railroad lists ages as: best for children under 10; 2 and under free in Coach. For the Duluth ride, plan on about 90 minutes in all, with a 30-minute train ride. Bring a letter to Santa with your return address, and Santa writes back by mail.