Christmas Train Rides in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania has more Santa trains than almost any state, and not one of them is a licensed Polar Express. That surprises a lot of parents, but it is good news: the rides here are run by the railroads themselves, so each one has its own character, from a steam engine through Amish farm country to a trolley ride with Santa south of Pittsburgh. If your kids have their hearts set on the licensed story with the silver bell, the closest ones are just over the state line, and our Christmas train map lists every one by state.
The short version
- 16 holiday trains in Pennsylvania for 2026, none of them the licensed Polar Express
- First to run: Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road, Ronks, from November 21. Last: Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road, Ronks, until December 24
- Lowest fare: Santa Claus Specials, Jim Thorpe, from $9
- Book only on each railroad’s own site; every ride below links to it
Below are sixteen Pennsylvania holiday trains with 2026 dates where the railroads have posted them, grouped by region, plus drive times from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Scranton and State College.
Pennsylvania holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 16 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in Pennsylvania in 2026
- Season
- November 21 to December 24, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $9 (Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Pennsylvania Christmas train runs
Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks has the longest season, November 21 to December 24. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail RoadRonks · Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Santa's Polar Bear ExpressBoyertown · Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Christmas in Coal CountryRockhill Furnace · Nov 27 to Dec 20
- Santa ExpressHollidaysburg · Nov 27 to Dec 20
- Santa TrolleyWashington · Nov 27 to Dec 20
- Santa Claus SpecialsJim Thorpe · Nov 27 to Dec 24
- Santa Christmas Tree ExpressHonesdale · Nov 27 to Dec 24
- Santa TrainsTitusville · Nov 28 to Dec 6
- Santa TrainsKutztown · Nov 28 to Dec 20
- Candy Cane ExpressStewartstown · Nov 28 to Dec 20
- Santa Claus ExpressKempton · Dec 5 and 6
- North Pole LimitedScranton · Dec 6 to Dec 20
- 'Twas the Night Before ChristmasBoyertown · Dec 11 and 18
- Candy Cane ExpressBellefonte · Dec 13 to Dec 20
Look inside the book
Riding a Pennsylvania 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.
Philadelphia, Lancaster and Harrisburg Area Santa Trains
On the map
Where Pennsylvania’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Titusville: Santa Trains
- 2Honesdale: Santa Christmas Tree Express
- 3Scranton: North Pole Limited
- 4Bellefonte: Candy Cane Express
- 5Jim Thorpe: Santa Claus Specials
- 6Kutztown: Santa Trains
- 6Kempton: Santa Claus Express
- 7Hollidaysburg: Santa Express
- 8New Hope: Santa's North Pole Express Train
- 9Boyertown: Santa's Polar Bear Express
- 9Boyertown: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
- 10Rockhill Furnace: Christmas in Coal Country
- 11Washington: Santa Trolley
- 12Middletown: Santa trains
- 13Ronks: Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road
- 14Stewartstown: Candy Cane Express
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Pennsylvania towns, for shape.
The southeast is where most of the state’s holiday trains run, from Bucks County farms to the Maryland line.
Pennsylvania's 2026 Santa trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strasburg Rail Road | Ronks | Nov 21 to Dec 24 | From $31.80 | On sale now |
| New Hope Railroad | New Hope | Check schedule | Varies by class | Check the site |
| Colebrookdale Railroad | Boyertown | Nov 21 to Dec 24 | From $45 | On sale now |
| Colebrookdale Railroad | Boyertown | Dec 11 and 18 | From $55 | On sale now |
| Allentown & Auburn RR | Kutztown | Nov 28 to Dec 20 | From $12 | On sale now |
| WK&S Railroad | Kempton | Dec 5 and 6 | From $18 | On sale now |
| Stewartstown Railroad | Stewartstown | Nov 28 to Dec 20 | See listing | On sale now |
| M&H Railroad | Middletown | Check schedule | See listing | Check the site |
| Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry | Jim Thorpe | Nov 27 to Dec 24 | From $9 | On sale now |
| Iron Horse Society | Scranton | Dec 6 to Dec 20 | From $20 | On sale now |
| Stourbridge Line | Honesdale | Nov 27 to Dec 24 | From $35 | On sale now |
| East Broad Top | Rockhill Furnace | Nov 27 to Dec 20 | From $22 | On sale now |
| Everett Railroad | Hollidaysburg | Nov 27 to Dec 20 | From $24 | On sale now |
| Bellefonte Historical RR | Bellefonte | Dec 13 to Dec 20 | From $18 | Sells fast |
| OC&T Railroad | Titusville | Nov 28 to Dec 6 | From $21 | By phone |
| PA Trolley Museum | Washington | Nov 27 to Dec 20 | From $25 | On sale now |
Strasburg: three Christmas trains through Lancaster County farmland
Santa trainStrasburg Rail Road · Ronks
- Operator
- Strasburg Rail Road(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Strasburg Rail Road station, Ronks
- Season
- Weekends November 21 to December 20, 2026, plus Friday November 27; weekday evenings Wednesday to Friday, December 2 to 18; daily December 21 to 23; last trains December 24
- Ride length
- About 45 minutes
- What's included
- Santa on Santa's Paradise Express and Santa Claus Limited; carolers, brass players and a gift per child on Paradise Express; readings, carols, milk and cookies on Night Before Christmas
- Price
- From $31.80, varying by train, class and age
- Tickets
- On sale now through Etix
- Best ages
- All ages
Strasburg is the oldest continuously operating railroad company in the country, and in December it sells three different 45-minute trains. Santa’s Paradise Express is the big one, with carolers, brass players, Santa and a gift for every child. Santa Claus Limited is the quieter weekday-evening version, still with Santa. Night Before Christmas swaps the party for readings, carols, milk and cookies, and maybe a glimpse of Santa.
Check in at the box office between platforms 3 and 4 at least 30 minutes ahead; boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. Get there earlier still and you can catch the live Christmas shows on the Town Square Stage. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is right next door if you want to make a day of it.
Check dates and tickets with Strasburg Rail Road(opens in a new tab)New Hope: Santa's North Pole Express through Bucks County
Santa trainNew Hope Railroad · New Hope
- Operator
- New Hope Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- New Hope Train Station, New Hope
- Season
- Late November through December; check the railroad's schedule page for 2026 dates
- Ride length
- About 60 minutes round trip, New Hope to Lahaska
- What's included
- Hot chocolate, a cookie, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a roaming musician and a sleigh bell for each child
- Price
- Varies by date and class: coach, first class, private rooms and a private caboose
- Tickets
- Check the railroad's ticket page
- Best ages
- All ages
New Hope’s Santa train leaves the 1891 station in the middle of town and runs about an hour round trip to Lahaska and back, pulled by one of the railroad’s vintage diesels. Santa and Mrs. Claus walk the cars, a roaming musician plays carols, everyone gets hot cocoa and a cookie, and each child gets a sleigh bell. Coach seating is first come, first served.
New for 2026 is a separate Santa’s Premium Train Ride with reserved seats, unlimited cocoa and a longer visit with Santa, plus a letter collected on board and a mailed reply. The railroad had not posted its 2026 Santa calendar when we checked in October, so watch the schedule page, and leave time for the Christmas shop inside the old station.
Check dates and tickets with New Hope Railroad(opens in a new tab)Boyertown: Santa's Polar Bear Express on the Secret Valley Line
Santa trainColebrookdale Railroad · Boyertown
- Operator
- Colebrookdale Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Boyertown Station, Boyertown
- Season
- November 21 and 22, 27 to 29; December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 24, 2026; several departures a day
- Ride length
- About 1 hour, out and back
- What's included
- Santa in every car, a gift for each child, a themed coloring book and crayons, and cocoa and cookies in the train yard before boarding
- Price
- From $45
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; heated coaches
The Colebrookdale runs restored Edwardian-era coaches through a wooded valley outside Boyertown, about an hour northwest of Philadelphia. Despite the name, Santa’s Polar Bear Express is the railroad’s own Santa ride, not the licensed Polar Express. Santa visits every car, children can give him their letters, and each child gets a gift plus a themed coloring book with crayons.
Cocoa and cookies are served in the train yard before you board, and snacks and drinks are sold on the train. Tickets are will-call, so arrive 30 minutes early. Parking is free in the main lot. The railroad’s accessible car is under restoration this year, so call ahead if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or scooter.
Check dates and tickets with Colebrookdale Railroad(opens in a new tab)Boyertown: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas pajama train
Pajama story trainColebrookdale Railroad · Boyertown
- Operator
- Colebrookdale Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Boyertown Station, Boyertown
- Season
- Friday evenings, December 11 and 18, 2026, at 5:00 and 8:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 90 minutes round trip
- What's included
- A reading of the poem, cocoa and cookies before boarding, and possibly Santa with a gift for each child
- Price
- From $55
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages in coach; first class is 13 and over
On two Friday nights the Colebrookdale runs a longer, calmer train for families who want a bedtime story instead of a party. Wear pajamas, drink cocoa in the yard before boarding, and settle into a heated car for a reading of the old poem on the way out. The railroad says Santa may appear with a gift for each child.
The 5:00 pm departure is the one for younger kids; the 8:00 pm train runs late. First-class cars are for ages 13 and up, so families should book coach. Outside food is not allowed, though a water bottle is fine and snacks are sold on board.
Check dates and tickets with Colebrookdale Railroad(opens in a new tab)Kutztown: Allentown & Auburn Railroad Santa Trains
Santa trainAllentown & Auburn Railroad · Kutztown
- Operator
- Allentown & Auburn Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Kutztown Train Station, Kutztown
- Season
- November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026, at 10:00 am, noon, 2:00 and 4:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 1 hour
- What's included
- Santa and Mrs. Claus on board and a candy cane for every child; photos with them in the station after the ride
- Price
- From $12
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages
This small railroad runs out of the restored Kutztown station, between Allentown and Reading, and its Santa Trains are about as simple and affordable as the season gets: an hour on the train with Santa and Mrs. Claus walking through, a candy cane for each child, and the option of professional photos with them back in the station.
There are no restrooms on the train, so use the ones in the station before boarding. Light snacks are allowed. Park along Railroad Street or Pine Street, pick up tickets 15 to 30 minutes early, and call ahead if you need the ramp, which takes walkers and standard wheelchairs.
Check dates and tickets with Allentown & Auburn RR(opens in a new tab)Kempton: Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Santa Claus Express
Santa trainWanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad · Kempton
- Operator
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- WK&S Kempton station, Kempton
- Season
- Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, hourly from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Ride length
- A short round trip; board up to 15 minutes before departure
- What's included
- Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty and the elves, a gift for every child and a treat for everyone
- Price
- From $18
- Tickets
- On sale now; reservations required
- Best ages
- All ages
The WK&S is a little Berks County railroad on a former Reading Company branch, and its Santa Claus Express runs on just one December weekend. Santa walks the train with Mrs. Claus, Frosty and the elves, every child gets a gift, and everyone gets a treat. The model train display behind the ticket office is open, which can be the highlight for some kids.
Only tickets bought on the railroad’s own site are valid, and your confirmation email is not the ticket, so pick up the real one at the office. There are no bathrooms on the train. Sales are final, but unused special-event tickets can be used on a regular train within 12 months.
Check dates and tickets with WK&S Railroad(opens in a new tab)Stewartstown: the Candy Cane Express near the Maryland line
Santa trainStewartstown Railroad · Stewartstown
- Operator
- Stewartstown Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Stewartstown Railroad station, Stewartstown
- Season
- November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, and December 20, 2026, at 10:00 am, 12:45 and 2:30 pm; evening trains at 6:00 pm on December 5 and 20
- Ride length
- Check the event listing for ride length
- What's included
- A ride with Santa
- Price
- Listed on the railroad's Etix event pages
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages
The Stewartstown Railroad is a tiny short line in southern York County, a few miles above the Maryland border, and its Candy Cane Express bills itself as a ride on the rails with Santa. Day trains leave at 10:00 am, 12:45 and 2:30 pm on five dates, and there is an Evening Candy Cane Express at 6:00 pm on December 5 and 20 if your kids want to see the lights after dark.
Parking is next to the station. Tickets are sold through the railroad’s Etix listings on its events page. For York and Harrisburg families it is the closest Santa train south of the Susquehanna, and for north Baltimore it can be closer than anything in Maryland.
Check dates and tickets with Stewartstown Railroad(opens in a new tab)Middletown: Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad holiday trains
Santa trainMiddletown & Hummelstown Railroad · Middletown
- Operator
- Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad station, Middletown
- Season
- Holiday season; check the railroad's special event schedule for 2026 dates
- Ride length
- Varies by train
- What's included
- A visit with Santa on board
- Price
- See the railroad's ticket page
- Tickets
- Check the railroad's schedule
- Best ages
- All ages
The Middletown & Hummelstown runs vintage coaches along Swatara Creek just southeast of Harrisburg, and its holiday listings have included Santa rides and a Polar Bear Express. That name belongs to the railroad’s own ride; it is not the licensed Polar Express.
When we checked in October, the railroad had not posted its 2026 holiday dates in a form we could confirm, so use its special event schedule or call 717-944-4435 before you plan around it. For Harrisburg families it is the shortest drive to a Santa train, about 20 minutes.
Check dates and tickets with M&H Railroad(opens in a new tab)Poconos and Scranton Santa Trains
Three very different rides within an hour of Scranton: a gorge, a steam engine and a tree farm.
Jim Thorpe: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Santa Claus Specials
Santa trainLehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (Reading & Northern) · Jim Thorpe
- Operator
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (Reading & Northern)(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Jim Thorpe station, Jim Thorpe
- Season
- November 27 to 30, December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 24, 2026, at 10:30 am, 1:00 and 3:30 pm
- Ride length
- 80-minute round trip
- What's included
- A visit from Santa and his elves, who talk with the children and hand out small treats
- Price
- From $9, depending on age and seating
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; 2 and under ride free
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs 80-minute Santa trips from the old Central Railroad of New Jersey station in downtown Jim Thorpe. Santa and his elves move through the cars talking to each child and handing out small treats. Children 2 and under ride free in any seating option.
Seats are first come, first served at boarding, so bigger groups should line up early. Pick up tickets at the booth with your email confirmation and give yourself an hour to park: lots in town are run by Carbon County, not the railroad, and they fill on December Saturdays.
Check dates and tickets with Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry(opens in a new tab)Scranton: the North Pole Limited at Steamtown
Steam Santa trainThe Iron Horse Society · Scranton
- Operator
- The Iron Horse Society(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton
- Season
- December 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026; timed entry at 10:15 am, 12:30, 2:15 and 4:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 2 hours in all, including a 1-hour steam train ride
- What's included
- A Santa letter station, live carols on board, Santa at every family's seat, a small gift from Mrs. Claus, and cookies and cocoa afterward
- Price
- From $20
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages
The North Pole Limited is run by The Iron Horse Society at Steamtown National Historic Site, and it is the best bet in the state if your kids want real steam. The visit starts in the museum with a Santa letter station, then the train runs about an hour behind a historic steam engine through the Scranton yard and Nay Aug Park while musicians play carols. Santa stops at each family, Mrs. Claus has a small gift for every child, and cookies and cocoa wait back inside.
Arrive 15 minutes before your entry time; the train leaves about 30 minutes after it. Seating is bus-style, two to a seat, first come, first served. Call the society, not the park, with questions: (570) 266-8328.
Check dates and tickets with Iron Horse Society(opens in a new tab)Honesdale: the Stourbridge Line Santa Christmas Tree Express
Christmas tree trainThe Stourbridge Line · Honesdale
- Operator
- The Stourbridge Line(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Honesdale Station, Honesdale
- Season
- November 27 to 29, December 5 and 6, December 19 and 20, and December 24, 2026, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, plus 4:00 pm on some days
- Ride length
- About 2 hours, including about an hour at a Christmas venue
- What's included
- Heated coaches, Santa and friends, hot chocolate and Christmas activities at the venue
- Price
- From $35; trees and wreaths cost extra
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; infants ride free
This is the only ride in Pennsylvania where you can come home with your tree. The Stourbridge Line runs heated coaches from Honesdale to a private Christmas venue, where you get about an hour with Santa and friends, free hot chocolate and holiday activities. Christmas trees, wreaths and potted trees are for sale there, priced by size, and they ride back on the train.
Seats are assigned, and you can ask to sit with another reservation in the comment box when you book. The food vendor at the venue takes cash only. No pets, though service animals are welcome. Honesdale is about 45 minutes from Scranton and an easy add-on to a Poconos weekend.
Check dates and tickets with Stourbridge Line(opens in a new tab)Central Pennsylvania Santa Trains Near Altoona and State College
Small railroads with short seasons, so book these as soon as dates open.
Rockhill Furnace: Christmas in Coal Country on the East Broad Top
Santa trainEast Broad Top Railroad · Rockhill Furnace
- Operator
- East Broad Top Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Orbisonia Station, Rockhill Furnace
- Season
- Fridays to Sundays, November 27 to December 20, 2026; up to six departures a day between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 1 hour
- What's included
- Santa visits every family with a gift for each child, plus a cookie and hot chocolate for every passenger
- Price
- From $22
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 on a lap ride free
The East Broad Top is a narrow-gauge railroad in the hills of Huntingdon County, and its Christmas in Coal Country train is an hour in heated coaches, or the caboose, with Santa coming through to see every family and give each child a gift. Everyone gets a cookie and a hot chocolate. Before or after, kids can write a letter to Santa in the station and watch the model trains, and food trucks park behind the station.
Check in 15 minutes before your train. Coach seats are assigned. One enclosed coach has a hydraulic lift; book the wheelchair ticket type and call the railroad with questions. Trains run rain, snow or shine.
Check dates and tickets with East Broad Top(opens in a new tab)Hollidaysburg: the Everett Railroad Santa Express
Santa trainEverett Railroad · Hollidaysburg
- Operator
- Everett Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Everett Railroad Hollidaysburg depot, Hollidaysburg
- Season
- November 27 to 29, December 5 and 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 20, 2026; departures between 10:00 am and 6:30 pm, with evening trains December 11 and 18
- Ride length
- About 1 hour round trip
- What's included
- Santa visits on board, a small gift for each child, hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies
- Price
- From $24
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 ride free
Just outside Altoona, the Everett Railroad runs its Santa Express for an hour out and back, with Santa visiting each family, a small gift for every child, and hot cocoa with freshly baked cookies. Personal photos with Santa are welcome, and so are pajamas.
Arrive 30 minutes early for parking and check-in; boarding starts about 15 minutes before departure. The cars are not ADA accessible, with three steps and handrails into each one, and seat type, heat and restrooms vary by car. If you are driving across the state on I-99, Horseshoe Curve is close by and worth a stop on the way.
Check dates and tickets with Everett Railroad(opens in a new tab)Bellefonte: the Candy Cane Express near State College
Santa trainBellefonte Historical Railroad Society · Bellefonte
- Operator
- Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Bellefonte Station, Bellefonte
- Season
- Sunday December 13, Saturday December 19 and Sunday December 20, 2026, at 10:00 am, noon, 2:00 and 4:00 pm, plus 6:00 pm on December 19
- Ride length
- About 1 hour
- What's included
- Santa and his friends parading through the cars, plus cookies and candy canes
- Price
- From $18
- Tickets
- Tickets sell fast and there is no waitlist
- Best ages
- All ages
The volunteer Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society runs its Candy Cane Express from the Victorian station in downtown Bellefonte, about 20 minutes from State College. For an hour, Santa and his friends parade through the cars so every child gets a hello, and cookies and candy canes are handed out along the way.
It runs on only three December days, and the society warns that tickets go quickly with no waitlist. Its policies page covers parking, wheelchair access and food. The same society runs a shorter Sugar Plum Limited during Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas weekend, which is a separate ticket.
Check dates and tickets with Bellefonte Historical RR(opens in a new tab)Western Pennsylvania Santa Rides Near Pittsburgh and Erie
Fewer choices out west, but one is a streetcar and the other is the longest Santa ride in the state.
Titusville: Oil Creek & Titusville Santa Trains
Santa trainOil Creek & Titusville Railroad · Titusville
- Operator
- Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Perry Street Station, Titusville
- Season
- Saturdays and Sundays, November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, one train a day at 1:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 3 hours round trip
- What's included
- Sing-alongs, Santa with photo time and a small gift for children 12 and under, then cocoa and cookies back at the station
- Price
- From $21
- Tickets
- Reservations by phone, email or mail form; no online booking
- Best ages
- Best for ages 4 and up; it is a long ride
The Oil Creek & Titusville is the long ride on this list: about three hours through Oil Creek State Park, where the oil industry started, with sing-alongs, Santa stopping at each child for a photo and a small gift for kids 12 and under, and cocoa and cookies back at the station.
Booking is old-fashioned. Call 814-676-1733, email, or send in the printable form; there are no online tickets, and reservations close at 2:00 pm the Friday before. The station and coaches have limited heat, so dress the kids warmly, and board at Perry Street Station, not the Franklin Street mailing address.
Check dates and tickets with OC&T Railroad(opens in a new tab)Washington: the Santa Trolley south of Pittsburgh
Santa trolleyPennsylvania Trolley Museum · Washington
- Operator
- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington
- Season
- November 27 to 29, and December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026; timed departures from about 9:00 am to 4:30 pm; sensory-friendly session the morning of November 29
- Ride length
- About 2 hours in all; the trolley ride is about 35 minutes
- What's included
- A trolley ride with Santa and a family photo, carols, the Festival of Trees, toy trains and LEGO displays, cocoa and cookies, a keepsake ornament and extra Tinsel Trolley rides
- Price
- From $25
- Tickets
- On sale now; many dates sell out
- Best ages
- All ages; 2 and under ride on a lap
Pittsburgh’s closest holiday ride is an antique streetcar at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, about half an hour south of the city off I-79. Santa rides along, chats with every family and poses for a photo, and the ticket also covers carols, the Festival of Trees, toy train and LEGO displays, cocoa and cookies, an ornament to make and extra rides on the Tinsel Trolley. Plan on about two hours.
Your ticket time is the trolley time, and late arrivals cannot be fit in, so leave a cushion. There is a sensory-friendly session on the morning of November 29. Only some streetcars take wheelchairs; give the museum 24 hours’ notice at 724-228-9256.
Check dates and tickets with PA Trolley Museum(opens in a new tab)Which Pennsylvania Santa Train Fits Your Family
You want steam
Steamtown’s North Pole Limited is the sure thing. Strasburg usually runs steam too, but check your ticket.
You have a toddler
Kutztown, Kempton or Bellefonte: short rides, daytime departures and low prices. The Santa Trolley is also good because the ride itself is only about 35 minutes.
You want the biggest production
Strasburg’s Santa’s Paradise Express, with carolers and brass, or Steamtown with live musicians in the cars.
You want something nobody else does
The Stourbridge Line, where the Christmas tree rides home with you, or the East Broad Top, a narrow-gauge train in coal country.
Your kids are older
Oil Creek & Titusville’s three-hour trip suits school-age kids, and the Colebrookdale pajama train on Friday nights is a sweet bedtime outing.
How Far Pennsylvania Santa Trains Are From the Big Cities
Typical drive times without holiday traffic.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | New Hope | About 1 hour |
| Philadelphia | Boyertown | About 1 hour |
| Philadelphia | Strasburg (Ronks) | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Allentown | Kempton or Kutztown | About 30 to 40 minutes |
| Allentown | Jim Thorpe | About 45 minutes |
| Harrisburg | Middletown | About 20 minutes |
| Harrisburg | Strasburg (Ronks) | About 1 hour |
| York | Stewartstown | About 30 minutes |
| Scranton | Steamtown | In town |
| Scranton | Honesdale | About 45 minutes |
| State College | Bellefonte | About 20 minutes |
| Altoona | Hollidaysburg | About 15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh | Washington (Santa Trolley) | About 35 minutes |
| Erie | Titusville | About 1 hour |
For the licensed Polar Express, Lehigh Valley families have the shortest trip: Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is just across the river from Easton, and it is on our New Jersey page. From Pittsburgh, Dennison, Ohio, is about 1 hour 45 minutes away on our Ohio page. York and Somerset County families can look south to Baltimore or Cumberland on our Maryland page, and the Scranton area is a reasonable drive to the Catskills ride on our New York page.
Free to print
An hour on the turnpike goes faster with crayons
Free printable Rally pages: a red train to color, a maze and a word search. Print a stack before you leave and tuck them in the seat pocket.
Get the free printablesPennsylvania Details Parents Ask About Before They Book
Polar Bear Express is not the Polar Express
Colebrookdale and the Middletown & Hummelstown both use the name Polar Bear Express for their own Santa rides. They are good trains, but there is no hot chocolate dance, no reading of the book and no silver bell from the movie. If that is what your kids expect, say so before you go, or cross into New Jersey, Maryland or Ohio for a licensed ride.
Booking quirks
Oil Creek & Titusville takes reservations only by phone, email or mail. WK&S accepts only tickets bought on its own site. Bellefonte keeps no waitlist. Strasburg and the Iron Horse Society’s steam train sell out first, so book those the week dates open.
Holiday trains that are not rides
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square sets up a Garden Railway, a model railroad among the plants, from October 2 to January 10, included with timed garden admission. The Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in Gibsonia opens only for its Holiday Train Show, from November 7 to January 18, by requested donation. Both are good for a cold afternoon, but nobody boards a train.
Still to be posted
Reading & Northern’s ticket system lists Santa trains from Reading Outer Station, Tamaqua and Pittston, but no 2026 dates were posted when we checked on October 13. We will add them once they appear.
Getting there by train
Lancaster is a stop on Amtrak’s Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian, about 20 minutes by car from Strasburg. See our Keystone Service with kids guide and the Pennsylvanian with kids page.
Pet the Corgi, Pass the Cocoa
There is a page in our book where Rally walks the aisle and every child on the train reaches down to pet him, and he leaves a little trail of corgi fur behind. A Santa train is that page in real life: one visitor moving car to car, and every kid leaning into the aisle to see.
My mom imagined Rally’s first train ride long before it became a book, and I finished it after she passed; our story page tells how. For the drive to Strasburg or Jim Thorpe, print a few of our free Rally coloring pages to keep small hands busy.
A train story to read on the wayRally 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 New Jersey
- Christmas trains in Ohio
- Christmas trains in Maryland
- Christmas trains in New York
- 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
- Spotatrain: Pennsylvania rail events, dates checked against operator sites(opens in a new tab)
- Strasburg Rail Road(opens in a new tab)
- New Hope Railroad: Santa's North Pole Express Train(opens in a new tab)
- Colebrookdale Railroad: Santa's Polar Bear Express(opens in a new tab)
- Allentown & Auburn Railroad: Santa Trains(opens in a new tab)
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern: Santa Claus Express(opens in a new tab)
- Stewartstown Railroad: events(opens in a new tab)
- Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad: special event schedule(opens in a new tab)
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: holiday trains(opens in a new tab)
- The Iron Horse Society: North Pole Limited(opens in a new tab)
- The Stourbridge Line: excursions(opens in a new tab)
- East Broad Top: Christmas in Coal Country(opens in a new tab)
- Everett Railroad: Santa Express(opens in a new tab)
- Bellefonte Historical Railroad: Candy Cane Express(opens in a new tab)
- Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad: Santa Trains(opens in a new tab)
- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: Santa Trolley(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Pennsylvania in 2026?
No. Pennsylvania has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026. The closest licensed rides are in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, across the river from Easton; Baltimore and Cumberland in Maryland; and Dennison, Ohio. Pennsylvania does have more than a dozen of its own Santa trains, including Strasburg, New Hope, Jim Thorpe and Steamtown in Scranton.
What Christmas train rides are in Pennsylvania in 2026?
We confirmed 16 holiday train rides in Pennsylvania for 2026: Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks; Santa's North Pole Express Train in New Hope; Santa's Polar Bear Express in Boyertown; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Boyertown; the Santa Trains in Kutztown; the Santa Claus Express in Kempton; the Candy Cane Express in Stewartstown; the Santa trains in Middletown. 8 more are on this page.
What holiday events for kids are in Ronks, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Ronks has Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road from Strasburg Rail Road (November 21 to December 24, from $31.80). It includes Santa on Santa's Paradise Express and Santa Claus Limited; carolers, brass players and a gift per child on Paradise Express; readings, carols, milk and cookies on Night Before Christmas. For other Ronks, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are happening in New Hope, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, New Hope has Santa's North Pole Express Train from New Hope Railroad (check schedule, varies by class). It includes hot chocolate, a cookie, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a roaming musician and a sleigh bell for each child. Plan on about 60 minutes round trip, New Hope to Lahaska. For other New Hope, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
Two holiday train events run in Boyertown in 2026: Santa's Polar Bear Express from Colebrookdale Railroad (November 21 to December 24, from $45); 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from Colebrookdale Railroad (December 11 and 18, from $55). Santa's Polar Bear Express in Boyertown includes Santa in every car, a gift for each child, a themed coloring book and crayons, and cocoa and cookies in the train yard before boarding. For other Boyertown, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, this year?
For families, Kutztown has Santa Trains from Allentown & Auburn RR (November 28 to December 20, from $12). It includes Santa and Mrs. Claus on board and a candy cane for every child; photos with them in the station after the ride. Plan on about 1 hour. For other Kutztown, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Kempton, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Kempton has Santa Claus Express from WK&S Railroad (December 5 and 6, from $18). It includes Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty and the elves, a gift for every child and a treat for everyone. Plan on a short round trip; board up to 15 minutes before departure. For other Kempton, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Stewartstown has Candy Cane Express from Stewartstown Railroad (November 28 to December 20, see listing). It includes a ride with Santa. Besides the daytime trains, two 6:00 pm evening runs on December 5 and 20 let kids see the lights after dark. For other Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Middletown has Santa trains from M&H Railroad (check schedule, see listing). It includes a visit with Santa on board. The railroad runs along Swatara Creek a few minutes from Harrisburg, close enough for a short afternoon outing. For other Middletown, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are happening in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Jim Thorpe has Santa Claus Specials from Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry (November 27 to December 24, from $9). It includes a visit from Santa and his elves, who talk with the children and hand out small treats. Plan on 80-minute round trip. The train leaves from the middle of Jim Thorpe, a Victorian mountain town that dresses up for the holidays, so the stroll before boarding is part of the trip. For other Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this year?
For families, Scranton has North Pole Limited from Iron Horse Society (December 6 to December 20, from $20). It includes a Santa letter station, live carols on board, Santa at every family's seat, a small gift from Mrs. Claus, and cookies and cocoa afterward. Plan on about 2 hours in all, including a 1-hour steam train ride. For other Scranton, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, this year?
For families, Honesdale has Santa Christmas Tree Express from Stourbridge Line (November 27 to December 24, from $35). It includes heated coaches, Santa and friends, hot chocolate and Christmas activities at the venue. Plan on about 2 hours, including about an hour at a Christmas venue. For other Honesdale, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are happening in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Rockhill Furnace has Christmas in Coal Country from East Broad Top (November 27 to December 20, from $22). It includes Santa visits every family with a gift for each child, plus a cookie and hot chocolate for every passenger. Plan on about 1 hour. For other Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Hollidaysburg has Santa Express from Everett Railroad (November 27 to December 20, from $24). It includes Santa visits on board, a small gift for each child, hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies. Plan on about 1 hour round trip. Pajamas are welcome, and the two Friday evening trains on December 11 and 18 make it an after-dinner outing near Altoona. For other Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Bellefonte has Candy Cane Express from Bellefonte Historical RR (December 13 to December 20, from $18). It includes Santa and his friends parading through the cars, plus cookies and candy canes. Plan on about 1 hour. Santa does not sit in one spot; he parades through every car with his friends so each child gets a hello. For other Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 2026?
For families, Titusville has Santa Trains from OC&T Railroad (November 28 to December 6, from $21). It includes sing-alongs, Santa with photo time and a small gift for children 12 and under, then cocoa and cookies back at the station. Plan on about 3 hours round trip. For other Titusville, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What Christmas events are there in Washington, Pennsylvania, this year?
For families, Washington has Santa Trolley from PA Trolley Museum (November 27 to December 20, from $25). It includes a trolley ride with Santa and a family photo, carols, the Festival of Trees, toy trains and LEGO displays, cocoa and cookies, a keepsake ornament and extra Tinsel Trolley rides. For other Washington, Pennsylvania, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania find a Christmas train ride?
From Philadelphia, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: New Hope, about 1 hour; Boyertown, about 1 hour; Strasburg (Ronks), about 1 hour 30 minutes. Each Pennsylvania ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Philadelphia families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Allentown, Pennsylvania find a Christmas train ride?
From Allentown, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Kempton or Kutztown, about 30 to 40 minutes; Jim Thorpe, about 45 minutes. Each Pennsylvania ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Allentown families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania find a Christmas train ride?
From Harrisburg, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Middletown, about 20 minutes; Strasburg (Ronks), about 1 hour. Each Pennsylvania ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Harrisburg families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near York, Pennsylvania find a Christmas train ride?
From York, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Stewartstown, about 30 minutes. Each Pennsylvania ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so York families can compare before they drive.
Which Pennsylvania Christmas train runs on steam?
The North Pole Limited, run by The Iron Horse Society at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, is pulled by a historic steam locomotive and runs on five December dates in 2026. Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County is also a steam railroad, but confirm which engine pulls your train when you book, since it is not promised on every departure.
How much does the Strasburg Christmas train cost?
Strasburg Rail Road lists its 2026 Christmas trains from $31.80, with prices that vary by train, class of service and age. There are three trains: Santa's Paradise Express, Santa Claus Limited and Night Before Christmas, each about 45 minutes. Tickets are sold through Etix, and the busiest weekend dates sell out first.
What is the cheapest Santa train in Pennsylvania?
The Allentown and Auburn Railroad's Santa Trains from Kutztown start at $12, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway's Santa Claus Specials in Jim Thorpe list fares from $9 depending on age and seating, with children 2 and under free. Bellefonte's Candy Cane Express and the Kempton Santa Claus Express both start at $18.
Is there a Santa train near Pittsburgh?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, about 35 minutes south of Pittsburgh, runs its Santa Trolley on weekends from November 27 to December 20, 2026, from $25. It is an antique streetcar ride with Santa plus displays, cocoa and a craft. The Oil Creek and Titusville Santa Trains are about two hours north.
Can you buy a Christmas tree on a Pennsylvania train ride?
Yes. The Stourbridge Line's Santa Christmas Tree Express from Honesdale stops for about an hour at a private Christmas venue where trees, wreaths and potted trees are sold at an extra cost. The railroad carries your tree back on the train. Fares start at $35, and the ride runs from November 27 to December 24, 2026.
Do any Pennsylvania Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Pennsylvania holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks, which runs until December 24. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Pennsylvania in the drive-time table above. Strasburg runs three separate Christmas trains, so you can pick the loud one with carolers and a brass band or the quiet weekday evening ride.
Which Pennsylvania Christmas train is best for toddlers?
The shortest Pennsylvania ride, and usually the easiest for toddlers, is the Santa Claus Express in Kempton: a short round trip; board up to 15 minutes before departure. The longest is the Santa Trains in Titusville, at about 3 hours round trip. Ages for the Santa Claus Express in Kempton: all ages. Frosty the Snowman rides along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and there is a model train layout behind the ticket office.
When do Pennsylvania Christmas train tickets go on sale?
On sale now: Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks; Santa's Polar Bear Express in Boyertown; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Boyertown; the Santa Trains in Kutztown; the Santa Claus Express in Kempton; the Candy Cane Express in Stewartstown and 6 more. Santa's North Pole Express Train in New Hope: check the railroad's ticket page.
Which Pennsylvania Christmas trains have Santa?
All 16 Pennsylvania rides on this page include Santa. Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks: Santa on Santa's Paradise Express and Santa Claus Limited; carolers, brass players and a gift per child on Paradise Express; readings, carols, milk and cookies on Night Before Christmas. Santa's North Pole Express Train in New Hope: hot chocolate, a cookie, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a roaming musician and a sleigh bell for each child.
How much is Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks?
Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks costs from $31.80, varying by train, class and age. Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road runs weekends November 21 to December 20, 2026, plus Friday November 27; weekday evenings Wednesday to Friday, December 2 to 18; daily December 21 to 23; last trains December 24. Strasburg Rail Road tickets: on sale now through Etix.
How much is Santa's North Pole Express Train in New Hope?
Fares for Santa's North Pole Express Train in New Hope: Varies by date and class: coach, first class, private rooms and a private caboose. Season: Late November through December; check the railroad's schedule page for 2026 dates. New Hope Railroad tickets: check the railroad's ticket page. New Hope Railroad age rules: all ages. Every child gets a sleigh bell from Santa, and pajamas are encouraged for the whole family.
How much are tickets for Santa's Polar Bear Express in Boyertown?
Santa's Polar Bear Express in Boyertown costs from $45. Santa's Polar Bear Express runs November 21 and 22, 27 to 29; December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 24, 2026; several departures a day. Colebrookdale Railroad tickets: on sale now. Colebrookdale Railroad age rules: all ages; heated coaches. Kids can hand Santa a Christmas letter on board, and every child goes home with a coloring book and crayons.
How much is 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Boyertown?
'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Boyertown costs from $55. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas runs Friday evenings, December 11 and 18, 2026, at 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Colebrookdale Railroad tickets: on sale now. Colebrookdale Railroad age rules: all ages in coach; first class is 13 and over. The whole ride is built around a reading of the Clement Clarke Moore poem, and pajamas are the dress code.
What do the Santa Trains in Kutztown cost in 2026?
The Santa Trains in Kutztown cost from $12. The Santa Trains run November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026, at 10:00 am, noon, 2:00 and 4:00 pm. Allentown & Auburn RR tickets: on sale now. Allentown & Auburn RR age rules: all ages. It is one of the least expensive Santa trains in the state, and professional photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are taken in the station afterward.
How much are tickets for the Santa Claus Express in Kempton?
The Santa Claus Express in Kempton costs from $18. The Santa Claus Express runs Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026, hourly from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. WK&S Railroad tickets: on sale now; reservations required. WK&S Railroad age rules: all ages. Frosty the Snowman rides along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and there is a model train layout behind the ticket office.
What does the Candy Cane Express in Stewartstown cost in 2026?
Fares for the Candy Cane Express in Stewartstown: Listed on the railroad's Etix event pages. The Candy Cane Express runs November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, and December 20, 2026, at 10:00 am, 12:45 and 2:30 pm; evening trains at 6:00 pm on December 5 and 20. Stewartstown Railroad tickets: on sale now.
How much are the Santa trains in Middletown?
M&H Railroad posts current Santa trains fares on its booking page rather than a single price list. Season: Holiday season; check the railroad's special event schedule for 2026 dates. M&H Railroad tickets: check the railroad's schedule. M&H Railroad age rules: all ages. The railroad runs along Swatara Creek a few minutes from Harrisburg, close enough for a short afternoon outing.
What do Santa Claus Specials in Jim Thorpe cost in 2026?
Santa Claus Specials in Jim Thorpe cost from $9, depending on age and seating. Santa Claus Specials run November 27 to 30, December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 24, 2026, at 10:30 am, 1:00 and 3:30 pm. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry tickets: on sale now. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Ry age rules: all ages; 2 and under ride free.
How much are tickets for the North Pole Limited in Scranton?
The North Pole Limited in Scranton costs from $20. The North Pole Limited runs December 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026; timed entry at 10:15 am, 12:30, 2:15 and 4:00 pm. Iron Horse Society tickets: on sale now. Iron Horse Society age rules: all ages. It is a real steam locomotive running out of a national park site, with musicians playing carols in the cars.