Christmas Train Rides in New Mexico (2026)
New Mexico has two Santa trains, and they could hardly be more different. Near Santa Fe, Sky Railway’s Pablo’s Holiday Express leaves the old Lamy Depot for an hour across the high desert, with Mrs. Claus, a dragon named Pablito and departures most days in the week before Christmas. Up in the mountains at Chama, the narrow-gauge Cumbres & Toltec runs six short, inexpensive Santa trains on one December weekend. There is no licensed Polar Express in the state; the closest is in Durango, Colorado, on our state-by-state Polar Express and Christmas train guide.
The short version
- Pablo's Holiday Express, Lamy: Dec 5 to 24, from $34
- Santa's Holiday Express, Chama: Dec 5 and 6, from $15
- No licensed Polar Express runs in New Mexico in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
New Mexico holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in New Mexico in 2026
- Season
- December 5 to December 24, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $15 (Cumbres & Toltec)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each New Mexico Christmas train runs
Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy has the longest season, December 5 to December 24. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Santa's Holiday ExpressChama · Dec 5 and 6
- Pablo's Holiday ExpressLamy · Dec 5 to 24
Look inside the book
Riding a New Mexico 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.
New Mexico's Santa Trains for 2026
On the map
Where New Mexico’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Chama: Santa's Holiday Express
- 2Lamy: Pablo's Holiday Express
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are New Mexico towns, for shape.
One near Santa Fe and one in the northern mountains, both under $35 for kids.
New Mexico's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Railway | Lamy | Dec 5 to 24 | From $34 | On sale now |
| Cumbres & Toltec | Chama | Dec 5 and 6 | From $15 | On sale now |
Lamy: Sky Railway's Pablo's Holiday Express
Santa trainSky Railway · Lamy
- Operator
- Sky Railway(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Lamy Depot, Lamy
- Season
- December 5, 6, 12 and 13, then daily December 17 to 24, 2026, with three to five departures a day between about 10:15 am and 6:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 1 hour on the train, plus story time before you board
- What's included
- Hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus before boarding, live music and holiday sing-alongs on board, a jingle bell keepsake, and photos with Santa after the ride
- Price
- $64 adults, $34 children 3 to 12, ages 2 and under free on a lap; New Mexico residents pay $59 and $29 with photo ID
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; 2 and under ride free on a lap
Pablo’s Holiday Express starts before you board. Families gather at the Lamy Depot for hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus, who tells how Santa and Pablito the dragon saved Christmas in New Mexico. Then everyone rides about an hour across the high desert with live music and sing-alongs, and each child gets a jingle bell. Back at the depot, there are photos with Santa, and Pablito himself sometimes turns up.
Seats are in an enclosed car, with access to a shared open-air flatbed car for the view. Arrive at least 30 minutes early so you do not miss Mrs. Claus. Parking in front of the depot is free, the train is wheelchair accessible (call 844-743-3759 for ADA seating), and outside food and drink are not allowed. Tickets can be refunded only within 24 hours of purchase.
Check dates and tickets with Sky Railway(opens in a new tab)Chama: Santa's Holiday Express on the Cumbres & Toltec
Santa trainCumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad · Chama
- Operator
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Chama Depot, Chama
- Season
- Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
- Ride length
- A short round trip from Chama to Dalton and back
- What's included
- An onboard visit with Santa, hot chocolate, a holiday cookie and a candy cane
- Price
- Coach $25 adults (11 and up) and $15 children 2 to 10; Deluxe $50 and $35; under 2 free on a lap
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 free on a lap
In summer the Cumbres & Toltec takes all day to climb over Cumbres Pass. Its December Santa train is the opposite: a short, affordable round trip from Chama to Dalton and back, with Santa joining partway so every child gets to meet him and families can take a photo. Hot chocolate, a holiday cookie and a candy cane come with every ticket.
Coach seats cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids. The new Deluxe class adds upgraded seating and one drink ticket. Chama sits at nearly 7,900 feet, so bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and closed-toe shoes, and wear safety glasses if you step out into the open-air gondola. Arrive 30 minutes early; the train leaves on time. The railroad is also collecting unopened toys and canned food for local charities.
Check dates and tickets with Cumbres & Toltec(opens in a new tab)Lamy or Chama: Which Santa Train Fits Your Family
You live near Santa Fe or Albuquerque
Pablo’s Holiday Express. Lamy is a short drive, and there are departures on 12 days.
You want the best price
Chama, where a coach seat is $15 for kids and $25 for adults.
Toddlers
Either works. Pablo’s has a story time first, and the Chama ride is short.
Christmas week
Pablo’s Holiday Express runs every day from December 17 through Christmas Eve. Chama’s six trains are all on December 5 and 6.
More Holiday Trains In and Near New Mexico
The Antonito Santa train
The Cumbres & Toltec runs a second Santa’s Holiday Express from its Antonito, Colorado, depot on December 12 and 13, the weekend after Chama. It is on our Colorado page.
Toy trains on the Santa Fe Plaza
For more than 70 years, the First National 1870 branch at 62 Lincoln Avenue has set up a holiday train display with Lionel trains run by the Santa Fe Model Railroad Club. Last season it ran weekdays from mid-December to January 2; check the bank’s page for 2026 dates.
Alamogordo’s Toy Train Depot
The Toy Train Depot on White Sands Boulevard held a Christmas evening last December with night rides on its small train, hot cocoa and story time. It had not posted a 2026 date when we checked.
Arrive by Amtrak
The Lamy Depot is also the Southwest Chief’s stop for Santa Fe, so a family could arrive for the Santa train by Amtrak. See our Southwest Chief with kids guide.
How Far New Mexico Families Drive to a Holiday Train
Typical winter drive times on clear roads.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Plaza | Lamy Depot | About 25 minutes |
| Albuquerque | Lamy Depot | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Santa Fe | Chama Depot | About 2 hours |
| Albuquerque | Chama Depot | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Farmington | Durango, CO (The Polar Express) | About 1 hour |
| Las Cruces | Lamy Depot | About 4 hours |
Farmington and Four Corners families are closest to the licensed Polar Express in Durango, on our Colorado page. Gallup families are a little over three hours from the Williams Polar Express on our Arizona page.
Free to print
Something for the depot wait
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesA Story Before the Train
I love that Pablo’s Holiday Express starts with a story at the depot. Rally’s trip in our book starts with a friendly welcome, too: Mr. Conductor reaching out to say hello before the train even moves. Kids who know what is coming board a little braver.
Rally began as a story my mom told about our family corgi, and I finished it after she passed; our story page tells the rest. Our free Rally coloring pages are good for the wait at the depot.
A train story for New Mexico 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 Colorado
- Christmas trains in Arizona
- 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
- Sky Railway: Pablo's Holiday Express(opens in a new tab)
- Cumbres & Toltec: Chama Santa's Holiday Express(opens in a new tab)
- First National 1870: Santa Fe Holiday Tree and Train Display(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: New Mexico 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.
New Mexico Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in New Mexico?
No. New Mexico has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026. Its holiday trains are Sky Railway's Pablo's Holiday Express from Lamy and the Cumbres & Toltec Santa's Holiday Express from Chama. The closest licensed Polar Express is in Durango, Colorado.
What Christmas train rides are in New Mexico in 2026?
We confirmed two holiday train rides in New Mexico for 2026: Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy; Santa's Holiday Express in Chama. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which New Mexico does not have in 2026. The season starts December 5 with Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy and ends December 24.
What Christmas events are there in Lamy, New Mexico, this year?
For families, Lamy has Pablo's Holiday Express from Sky Railway (December 5 to 24, from $34). It includes hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus before boarding, live music and holiday sing-alongs on board, a jingle bell keepsake, and photos with Santa after the ride. For other Lamy, New Mexico, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Chama, New Mexico, in 2026?
For families, Chama has Santa's Holiday Express from Cumbres & Toltec (December 5 and 6, from $15). It includes an onboard visit with Santa, hot chocolate, a holiday cookie and a candy cane. Plan on a short round trip from Chama to Dalton and back. For other Chama, New Mexico, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Santa Fe Plaza, New Mexico find a Christmas train ride?
From Santa Fe Plaza, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Lamy Depot, about 25 minutes. Each New Mexico ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Santa Fe Plaza families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Albuquerque, New Mexico find a Christmas train ride?
From Albuquerque, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Lamy Depot, about 1 hour 10 minutes; Chama Depot, about 2 hours 45 minutes. Each New Mexico ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Albuquerque families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Santa Fe, New Mexico find a Christmas train ride?
From Santa Fe, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Chama Depot, about 2 hours. Each New Mexico ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Santa Fe families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Farmington, New Mexico find a Christmas train ride?
From Farmington, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Durango, CO (The Polar Express), about 1 hour. Each New Mexico ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Farmington families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Las Cruces, New Mexico find a Christmas train ride?
From Las Cruces, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Lamy Depot, about 4 hours. Each New Mexico ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Las Cruces families can compare before they drive.
How much is Pablo's Holiday Express?
Tickets are $64 for adults and $34 for children 3 to 12, and children 2 and under ride free on a lap. New Mexico residents can buy a locals' rate of $59 and $29 with photo ID. Tickets can be refunded only within 24 hours of purchase.
Where does Pablo's Holiday Express leave from?
Every Pablo's Holiday Express departs from and returns to the Lamy Depot, 152 Old Lamy Trail in Lamy, about 25 minutes south of the Santa Fe Plaza. Sky Railway's other trains usually leave from the Santa Fe Depot, so check your ticket. Parking at Lamy is free.
When is the Chama Santa train?
The Cumbres & Toltec runs Santa's Holiday Express from Chama on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Coach tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 2 to 10, and Deluxe tickets are $50 and $35.
Do any New Mexico Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No New Mexico holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy, which runs until December 24. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near New Mexico in the drive-time table above. Every Pablo's Holiday Express leaves from the Lamy Depot, about 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe, not from Sky Railway's usual Santa Fe Depot.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in New Mexico?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in New Mexico is for Santa's Holiday Express in Chama: from $15. At the top end is Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy: from $34. Prices come from each New Mexico railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For Santa's Holiday Express in Chama: Coach $25 adults (11 and up) and $15 children 2 to 10; Deluxe $50 and $35; under 2 free on a lap.
Which New Mexico Christmas trains have Santa?
All 2 New Mexico rides on this page include Santa. Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy: hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus before boarding, live music and holiday sing-alongs on board, a jingle bell keepsake, and photos with Santa after the ride. Santa's Holiday Express in Chama: an onboard visit with Santa, hot chocolate, a holiday cookie and a candy cane.
Is there a Santa train in Antonito near New Mexico?
The Cumbres & Toltec runs a second Santa’s Holiday Express from its Antonito, Colorado, depot on December 12 and 13, the weekend after Chama. It is on our Colorado page.
Where can kids see toy trains in Santa Fe at Christmas?
For more than 70 years, the First National 1870 branch at 62 Lincoln Avenue has set up a holiday train display with Lionel trains run by the Santa Fe Model Railroad Club. Last season it ran weekdays from mid-December to January 2; check the bank’s page for 2026 dates.
What is Alamogordo's Toy Train Depot?
The Toy Train Depot on White Sands Boulevard held a Christmas evening last December with night rides on its small train, hot cocoa and story time. It had not posted a 2026 date when we checked.
Can you take Amtrak to a Christmas train in New Mexico?
The Lamy Depot is also the Southwest Chief’s stop for Santa Fe, so a family could arrive for the Santa train by Amtrak. See our Southwest Chief with kids guide.
How long is Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy?
For the Lamy ride, plan on about 1 hour on the train, plus story time before you board. Included with Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy: hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus before boarding, live music and holiday sing-alongs on board, a jingle bell keepsake, and photos with Santa after the ride. Every Pablo's Holiday Express leaves from the Lamy Depot, about 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe, not from Sky Railway's usual Santa Fe Depot.
How much are tickets for Santa's Holiday Express in Chama?
Fares for Santa's Holiday Express in Chama: Coach $25 adults (11 and up) and $15 children 2 to 10; Deluxe $50 and $35; under 2 free on a lap. Santa's Holiday Express runs Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Cumbres & Toltec tickets: on sale now.
What should parents know before riding Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy?
Seats are in an enclosed car, with access to a shared open-air flatbed car for the view. Arrive at least 30 minutes early so you do not miss Mrs. Claus. Parking in front of the depot is free, the train is wheelchair accessible (call 844-743-3759 for ADA seating), and outside food and drink are not allowed.
What is included with Santa's Holiday Express in Chama?
Santa's Holiday Express in Chama includes an onboard visit with Santa, hot chocolate, a holiday cookie and a candy cane. Cumbres & Toltec ride length: a short round trip from Chama to Dalton and back. It runs only six times, all on one weekend, from the New Mexico end of a narrow-gauge line famous for its all-day summer trips over Cumbres Pass.
Do babies need a ticket for Pablo's Holiday Express in Lamy?
Sky Railway lists ages as: all ages; 2 and under ride free on a lap. On fares: $64 adults, $34 children 3 to 12, ages 2 and under free on a lap. For the Lamy ride, plan on about 1 hour on the train, plus story time before you board. Every Pablo's Holiday Express leaves from the Lamy Depot, about 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe, not from Sky Railway's usual Santa Fe Depot.
Where does Santa's Holiday Express in Chama leave from?
Santa's Holiday Express in Chama boards at Chama Depot, 500 Terrace Avenue, in Chama. Chama sits at nearly 7,900 feet, so bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and closed-toe shoes, and wear safety glasses if you step out into the open-air gondola. Arrive 30 minutes early; the train leaves on time. Cumbres & Toltec tickets: on sale now.
What should parents know before riding Santa's Holiday Express in Chama?
Coach seats cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids. The new Deluxe class adds upgraded seating and one drink ticket. Chama sits at nearly 7,900 feet, so bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and closed-toe shoes, and wear safety glasses if you step out into the open-air gondola. Arrive 30 minutes early; the train leaves on time.
Do babies need a ticket for Santa's Holiday Express in Chama?
Cumbres & Toltec lists ages as: all ages; under 2 free on a lap. Cumbres & Toltec ride length: a short round trip from Chama to Dalton and back. It runs only six times, all on one weekend, from the New Mexico end of a narrow-gauge line famous for its all-day summer trips over Cumbres Pass.