Christmas Train Rides in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin’s licensed Polar Express at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay sold out in July, but the state has plenty of other Santa trains. Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom heats its century-old coaches with steam and coal stoves. East Troy’s electric railcars run to Santa’s Workshop. Up north in Trego, the Santa Pizza Train cooks pizza on board. And the lit-up CPKC Holiday Train makes 13 free stops across the state in December. Licensed rides in nearby states are on our Polar Express and Christmas train guide.
The short version
- THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Green Bay: Nov 20 to Dec 13, Sold out (sold out)
- Santa Express, North Freedom: Nov 28 to Dec 6, from $18
- Christmas Trains, East Troy: Nov 28 to Dec 20, from $36
- Santa Pizza Train, Trego: Nov 14 to Dec 20, from $40
Wisconsin holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 4 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- Green Bay
- Season
- November 14 to December 20, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $18 (Mid-Continent Railway Museum)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Sold out
- National Railroad Museum
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each Wisconsin Christmas train runs
Santa Pizza Train in Trego starts first, on November 14, and Christmas Trains in East Troy runs the latest, to December 20. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- Santa Pizza TrainTrego · Nov 14 to Dec 20
- THE POLAR EXPRESS Train RideGreen Bay · Nov 20 to Dec 13
- Santa ExpressNorth Freedom · Nov 28 to Dec 6
- Christmas TrainsEast Troy · Nov 28 to Dec 20
Look inside the book
Riding a Wisconsin 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.
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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.
Wisconsin's Holiday Trains for 2026
On the map
Where Wisconsin’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Trego: Santa Pizza Train
- 2Green Bay: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
- 3North Freedom: Santa Express
- 4East Troy: Christmas Trains
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Wisconsin towns, for shape.
One licensed Polar Express and three Santa trains, from Green Bay to the North Woods.
Wisconsin's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Railroad Museum | Green Bay | Nov 20 to Dec 13 | Sold out | Sold out |
| Mid-Continent Railway Museum | North Freedom | Nov 28 to Dec 6 | From $18 | On sale now |
| East Troy Railroad Museum | East Troy | Nov 28 to Dec 20 | From $36 | Reserve online |
| Wisconsin Great Northern | Trego | Nov 14 to Dec 20 | From $40 | Sells out early |
Green Bay: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the National Railroad Museum Sold out
Licensed Polar ExpressNational Railroad Museum · Green Bay
- Operator
- National Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- National Railroad Museum, Green Bay
- Season
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 20 to December 13, 2026
- Ride length
- A show in the museum's Lenfestey Center, then the train ride
- What's included
- The Hot Chocolate Dance, hot chocolate and a cookie, a reading of the book, and a ride with characters, the Northern Lights and polar bears re-created inside the train
- Price
- From $35, depending on the car: Northern Lights, Glacier Gulch, Arctic Circle or Spirit of the Season
- Tickets
- Sold out for 2026
- Best ages
- All ages
The National Railroad Museum’s Polar Express starts indoors in its Lenfestey Center with the Hot Chocolate Dance, hot chocolate, a cookie and a dramatic reading of the book. Then a conductor leads everyone outside to the vintage train for the trip to the North Pole. The museum stresses that the story happens inside the train, with characters on board, a hobo, the Northern Lights and polar bears. Depending on the car, Santa visits on the train or in the depot.
Every 2026 show sold out in July. Sales are final, so resale tickets are a gamble. Each car has its own name and price; only Glacier Gulch, the first class car, is wheelchair accessible. The event is a fundraiser for the museum, which is also home to Union Pacific Big Boy 4017 and worth a visit any day.
Check dates and tickets with National Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)North Freedom: the Santa Express at Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Santa steam trainMid-Continent Railway Museum · North Freedom
- Operator
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum, North Freedom
- Season
- November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
- Ride length
- About 55 minutes, 7 miles round trip
- What's included
- Santa visiting every family at their seat and small gifts from his elves for the children
- Price
- $30 adults and $18 children 3 to 15; infants free
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; infants free
Mid-Continent’s Santa Express is a trip back to the early 1900s. A uniformed conductor welcomes families aboard wooden coaches kept warm by steam heat or coal stoves, and over the 55-minute, 7-mile round trip Santa visits every family at their seat while his elves hand out small gifts. Coach is the only class, so everyone gets the same ride.
There are four trains a day on just four days. Adults are $30, kids 3 to 15 are $18, and infants ride free. On the evening of December 5 the museum also runs a separate Holiday Flyer with cocoa and treats but no Santa, aimed at adults and families with older kids. North Freedom is near Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells.
Check dates and tickets with Mid-Continent Railway Museum(opens in a new tab)East Troy: Christmas Trains to Santa's Workshop
Santa trainEast Troy Railroad Museum · East Troy
- Operator
- East Troy Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- East Troy Depot, East Troy
- Season
- Daytime trains November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026; evening Santa trains at 5:00 pm on November 28 and December 4, 11, 12, 18 and 19
- Ride length
- About 2 hours: a 25-minute ride out, an hour at Santa's Workshop and a 15-minute ride back
- What's included
- A visit and photo with Santa at Santa's Workshop, a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a gift from an elf for every child on the ride home
- Price
- From $36; fares vary by day, age and museum membership; evening trains in the dining cars cost more
- Tickets
- Advance online reservations required
- Best ages
- All ages; every rider needs a ticket
The East Troy Railroad Museum runs heated electric railcars from its depot to Santa’s Workshop, about 25 minutes away. There, kids visit Santa and get a photo, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus are on hand for a meet-and-greet. After about an hour, everyone rides back, and an elf gives every toddler and child a gift on the way.
Santa’s Special Evening Trains are the grown-up upgrade, in Art Deco dining cars with cookies and hot chocolate, plus adult cocoa or a beer for parents. Every rider needs an advance online reservation. Fares change with the day, the rider’s age and museum membership. Call 262-642-3263 with questions.
Check dates and tickets with East Troy Railroad Museum(opens in a new tab)Trego: the Santa Pizza Train on the Wisconsin Great Northern
Santa dinner trainWisconsin Great Northern Railroad · Trego
- Operator
- Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Trego Depot, Trego
- Season
- Weekends, November 14 to December 20, 2026; Saturdays at 11:00 am, 2:00 and 5:00 pm, Sundays at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 2 hours
- What's included
- A personal pizza baked on board and a drink, a visit with Santa in his private car, and a holiday cookie and hot chocolate on the way back
- Price
- From $40
- Tickets
- On sale now; sells out early
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 on a lap
The Wisconsin Great Northern, a family-owned railroad in Trego, calls this a Christmas pizza party on rails. Every paying rider picks a personal pizza, pepperoni, sausage, cheese or gluten-free, baked fresh on board, with a water or soda. Families visit Santa in his private car for photos, and on the way back everyone gets a holiday cookie and hot chocolate.
Families of up to six get a private dining compartment. The two-hour trip returns to Trego, and there are restrooms on board. The railroad says this train sells out very early, all sales are final, and outside food is not allowed. Call 715-635-3200 about allergies.
Check dates and tickets with Wisconsin Great Northern(opens in a new tab)Which Wisconsin Holiday Train Fits Your Family
The Polar Express sold out
Try Mid-Continent’s Santa Express or East Troy’s Christmas Trains, and book soon.
Toddlers
Mid-Continent’s 55-minute ride, with Santa coming to your seat.
Milwaukee and Madison families
East Troy is under an hour from Milwaukee; North Freedom is about an hour from Madison.
Northern Wisconsin and the Twin Cities
The Santa Pizza Train in Trego.
Free
A CPKC Holiday Train stop, listed below.
The CPKC Holiday Train in Wisconsin
The CPKC Holiday Train makes 13 free stops in Wisconsin with Allen Stone performing from the stage car. Each show is about 30 minutes. You watch from beside the tracks, and a food bank donation is the price of admission CPKC asks for.
Tuesday, December 8
Sturtevant 7:00 pm (9900 East Exploration) and Caledonia 8:15 pm (5 1/2 Mile Road crossing).
Wednesday, December 9
Wauwatosa 4:15 pm (Harwood Avenue crossing), Hartland 5:45 pm (west of the Cottonwood Avenue crossing), Oconomowoc 6:45 pm (South Silver Lake Street crossing), Watertown 8:00 pm (Brandt Quirk Park) and Columbus 9:15 pm (395 North Ludington Street).
Thursday, December 10
Portage 1:15 pm (CPKC yard by Averbeck Street), Wisconsin Dells 2:45 pm (100 La Crosse Street), Mauston 4:15 pm (Division Street crossing), Tomah 5:30 pm (205 North Superior Avenue), Sparta 6:50 pm (South Water and Milwaukee streets) and La Crosse 8:30 pm (601 Saint Andrew Street).
How Far Wisconsin's Holiday Trains Are From Major Cities
Typical winter drive times on clear roads.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | East Troy | About 45 minutes |
| Madison | North Freedom | About 1 hour |
| Milwaukee | Green Bay | About 2 hours |
| Minneapolis | Trego | About 2 hours |
| Chicago | East Troy | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
Twin Cities families have more options on our Minnesota page, including caboose rides at the Jackson Street Roundhouse. Southern Wisconsin is also close to the trains on our Illinois page.
Free to print
For a snowy afternoon
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesWisconsin Holiday Train Details Worth Knowing
Osceola
The Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, run by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, had not posted holiday trains for 2026 when we checked. The museum’s Santa events are at its Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul.
Getting there by Amtrak
The Hiawatha, the Borealis and the Empire Builder stop in Milwaukee, and the Borealis and Empire Builder continue to Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah and La Crosse; see our Empire Builder with kids guide.
Warm Inside, Snow Outside
Our Christmas picture of Rally at a snowy train window is exactly what I picture on a Wisconsin Santa train: cold glass, a warm coach and a kid who cannot stop looking out. Rally starts his trip up early with his bag packed, and the Santa trains here reward early planning too.
My mom gave Rally his first story, and I finished it after she passed; our story page has the rest. Our free Rally coloring pages are made for snowy afternoons.
A train story for Wisconsin 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 Minnesota
- Christmas trains in Illinois
- 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
- National Railroad Museum: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride(opens in a new tab)
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum: Santa Express(opens in a new tab)
- East Troy Railroad Museum: Christmas Trains(opens in a new tab)
- Wisconsin Great Northern: Santa Pizza Train(opens in a new tab)
- CPKC: U.S. Holiday Train schedule 2026(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Wisconsin?
Yes. The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay hosts the licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 20 to December 13, 2026. Every show sold out in July, and sales are final, so most families will need another Santa train this year.
What Christmas train rides are in Wisconsin in 2026?
We confirmed four holiday train rides in Wisconsin for 2026: the Polar Express in Green Bay; the Santa Express in North Freedom; the Christmas Trains in East Troy; the Santa Pizza Train in Trego. One of the 4 Wisconsin rides is the licensed Polar Express. The season starts November 14 with the Santa Pizza Train in Trego and ends December 20.
What Christmas events are happening in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2026?
For families, Green Bay has THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from National Railroad Museum (November 20 to December 13, sold out). It includes the Hot Chocolate Dance, hot chocolate and a cookie, a reading of the book, and a ride with characters, the Northern Lights and polar bears re-created inside the train. For other Green Bay, Wisconsin, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in North Freedom, Wisconsin, in 2026?
For families, North Freedom has Santa Express from Mid-Continent Railway Museum (November 28 to December 6, from $18). It includes Santa visiting every family at their seat and small gifts from his elves for the children. Plan on about 55 minutes, 7 miles round trip. For other North Freedom, Wisconsin, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in East Troy, Wisconsin, in 2026?
For families, East Troy has Christmas Trains from East Troy Railroad Museum (November 28 to December 20, from $36). It includes a visit and photo with Santa at Santa's Workshop, a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a gift from an elf for every child on the ride home. For other East Troy, Wisconsin, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Trego, Wisconsin, in 2026?
For families, Trego has Santa Pizza Train from Wisconsin Great Northern (November 14 to December 20, from $40). It includes a personal pizza baked on board and a drink, a visit with Santa in his private car, and a holiday cookie and hot chocolate on the way back. For other Trego, Wisconsin, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Milwaukee, Wisconsin find a Christmas train ride?
From Milwaukee, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: East Troy, about 45 minutes; Green Bay, about 2 hours. Each Wisconsin ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Milwaukee families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Madison, Wisconsin find a Christmas train ride?
From Madison, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: North Freedom, about 1 hour. Each Wisconsin ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Madison families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Minneapolis, Wisconsin find a Christmas train ride?
From Minneapolis, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Trego, about 2 hours. Each Wisconsin ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Minneapolis families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Chicago, Wisconsin find a Christmas train ride?
From Chicago, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: East Troy, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Each Wisconsin ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Chicago families can compare before they drive.
What Santa trains are left in Wisconsin if the Polar Express is sold out?
Mid-Continent Railway Museum's Santa Express in North Freedom, the East Troy Railroad Museum's Christmas Trains to Santa's Workshop and the Wisconsin Great Northern's Santa Pizza Train in Trego all run in 2026. Book early: the Trego train in particular sells out well before December.
How much is the Mid-Continent Santa Express?
The Santa Express at Mid-Continent Railway Museum costs $30 for adults and $18 for children 3 to 15, and infants ride free. It runs November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, with four 55-minute trains a day.
Where does the CPKC Holiday Train stop in Wisconsin?
The CPKC Holiday Train stops in Sturtevant and Caledonia on December 8, in Wauwatosa, Hartland, Oconomowoc, Watertown and Columbus on December 9, and in Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Mauston, Tomah, Sparta and La Crosse on December 10, 2026. The concerts are free.
Do any Wisconsin Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Wisconsin holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is the Christmas Trains in East Troy, which runs until December 20. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Wisconsin in the drive-time table above. The trains are heated electric railcars, and Santa waits at a workshop down the line rather than on board.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in Wisconsin?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in Wisconsin is for the Santa Express in North Freedom: from $18. At the top end is the Santa Pizza Train in Trego: from $40. Prices come from each Wisconsin railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For the Santa Express in North Freedom: $30 adults and $18 children 3 to 15; infants free.
Which Wisconsin Christmas train is best for toddlers?
The shortest Wisconsin ride, and usually the easiest for toddlers, is the Santa Express in North Freedom: about 55 minutes, 7 miles round trip. The longest is the Christmas Trains in East Troy, at about 2 hours: a 25-minute ride out, an hour at Santa's Workshop and a 15-minute ride back. Ages for the Santa Express in North Freedom: all ages; infants free.
Which Wisconsin Christmas trains have Santa?
Three of the 4 Wisconsin rides on this page include Santa. The Santa Express in North Freedom: Santa visiting every family at their seat and small gifts from his elves for the children. The Christmas Trains in East Troy: a visit and photo with Santa at Santa's Workshop, a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a gift from an elf for every child on the ride home.
Can you take Amtrak to a Christmas train in Wisconsin?
The Hiawatha, the Borealis and the Empire Builder stop in Milwaukee, and the Borealis and Empire Builder continue to Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah and La Crosse; see our Empire Builder with kids guide.
How much are tickets for the Polar Express in Green Bay?
The Polar Express in Green Bay costs from $35, depending on the car: Northern Lights, Glacier Gulch, Arctic Circle or Spirit of the Season. The Polar Express runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 20 to December 13, 2026. National Railroad Museum tickets: sold out for 2026. National Railroad Museum age rules: all ages. The story is acted out inside the cars, hobo and polar bears included, rather than told through decorations outside the windows.
What happens on the Santa Express in North Freedom?
The Santa Express in North Freedom includes Santa visiting every family at their seat and small gifts from his elves for the children. For the North Freedom ride, plan on about 55 minutes, 7 miles round trip. The early-1900s coaches are heated the old way, with steam heat or coal-burning stoves.
What do the Christmas Trains in East Troy cost in 2026?
The Christmas Trains in East Troy cost from $36; fares vary by day, age and museum membership; evening trains in the dining cars cost more. Season: Daytime trains November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026; evening Santa trains at 5:00 pm on November 28 and December 4, 11, 12, 18 and 19.
How much are tickets for the Santa Pizza Train in Trego?
The Santa Pizza Train in Trego costs from $40. The Santa Pizza Train runs weekends, November 14 to December 20, 2026; Saturdays at 11:00 am, 2:00 and 5:00 pm, Sundays at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Wisconsin Great Northern tickets: on sale now; sells out early. Wisconsin Great Northern age rules: all ages; under 2 on a lap.
What is included with the Polar Express in Green Bay?
The Polar Express in Green Bay includes the Hot Chocolate Dance, hot chocolate and a cookie, a reading of the book, and a ride with characters, the Northern Lights and polar bears re-created inside the train. National Railroad Museum ride length: a show in the museum's Lenfestey Center, then the train ride. The story is acted out inside the cars, hobo and polar bears included, rather than told through decorations outside the windows.
Any tips for the Santa Express in North Freedom with young kids?
There are four trains a day on just four days. Adults are $30, kids 3 to 15 are $18, and infants ride free. On the evening of December 5 the museum also runs a separate Holiday Flyer with cocoa and treats but no Santa, aimed at adults and families with older kids. North Freedom is near Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells.
What happens on the Christmas Trains in East Troy?
The Christmas Trains in East Troy include a visit and photo with Santa at Santa's Workshop, a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a gift from an elf for every child on the ride home. For the East Troy ride, plan on about 2 hours: a 25-minute ride out, an hour at Santa's Workshop and a 15-minute ride back.
What happens on the Santa Pizza Train in Trego?
The Santa Pizza Train in Trego includes a personal pizza baked on board and a drink, a visit with Santa in his private car, and a holiday cookie and hot chocolate on the way back. For the Trego ride, plan on about 2 hours. Each family of up to six gets its own private dining compartment.
Where does the Polar Express in Green Bay leave from?
The Polar Express in Green Bay boards at National Railroad Museum, 2285 South Broadway, in Green Bay. National Railroad Museum tickets: sold out for 2026. The story is acted out inside the cars, hobo and polar bears included, rather than told through decorations outside the windows.
Where do you board the Christmas Trains in East Troy?
The Christmas Trains in East Troy boards at East Troy Depot, 2002 Church Street, in East Troy. East Troy Railroad Museum tickets: advance online reservations required. The trains are heated electric railcars, and Santa waits at a workshop down the line rather than on board.