Christmas Train Rides by State (2026)
Every December, families in almost every state can find a train with Santa on it. Only some of those trains are THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, the licensed version of the Chris Van Allsburg book with hot cocoa, a reading of the story and a silver sleigh bell. In 2026 there are 34 licensed rides in 23 states. The rest are railroads’ own Santa trains, North Pole Expresses and holiday lights trains, and many of them are easier to book and closer to home.
The short version
- 34 licensed Polar Express rides in 23 states for 2026, plus 182 other holiday trains on our 50 state guides
- Licensed season: November 1, 2026 to January 3, 2027; most rides start mid-November
- Coach seats at most licensed rides start around $35 to $60; St. Louis is under $20
- Already sold out: Monticello, Illinois, and Green Bay, Wisconsin,
- Type your state or town in the finder below to jump to your guide
This page lists both, state by state and grouped by region. Each state guide covers every ride we could confirm for 2026 with dates, prices, ride length, what is included, drive times and the booking link for the operator, plus notes for parents with toddlers. We update the pages as railroads post dates, raise prices or sell out.
Holiday trains at a glance
- Licensed rides
- 34 in 23 states
- All holiday trains
- 216 on our state guides
- Season
- November 1 to January 3
- Coach seats
- About $20 to $60
- Typical ride
- About 1 to 1½ hours
- Last checked
Type your state, a town or a railroad. Every state has a guide with dates, prices, drive times and the booking link for each ride.
Showing all 50 states
New England and New York (7 states)
New York alone has four licensed rides, from Kingston on the Hudson to Calverton on Long Island, and New England adds steam trains, trolley museums and the Polar Express at Portland, Woonsocket, Buzzards Bay and Burlington.
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Christmas trains in Connecticut
Essex's North Pole Express, two Naugatuck Railroad Christmas trains, a Santa trolley in East Haven and Danbury's Santa trains, for 2026.
See all 5 rides in Connecticut
North Pole Express (Essex); Santa Express (Thomaston); Northern Lights Limited (Thomaston); Next Stop, Santa! (East Haven); Santa Trains (Danbury)
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Christmas trains in Maine
Portland's licensed Polar Express, a village North Pole in Boothbay, two Kennebunkport trolley events, a steam train to a Christmas market in Alna, and Unity.
See all 6 rides in Maine
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Portland); North Pole Express (Boothbay); Santa's Magical Trolley Ride (Kennebunkport); Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides (Kennebunkport); Victorian Christmas Train and Market (Alna); Santa Express (Unity)
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Christmas trains in Massachusetts
The Cape Cod Polar Express from Buzzards Bay, Edaville's steam train through the lights in Carver, the Tinseliner in the Berkshires, and a lit-up holiday trolley.
See all 4 rides in Massachusetts
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Buzzards Bay); Edaville's Winter Wonderland (Carver); The Tinseliner (Adams); Moonlight Magic at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum (Shelburne Falls)
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Christmas trains in New Hampshire
Daytime Santa trains from North Conway and Lincoln, plus Journey to the North Pole, an evening train to Santa's Workshop that runs from both White Mountains towns.
See all 4 rides in New Hampshire
Santa's Holiday Special (North Conway); Santa Express (Lincoln); Journey to the North Pole (North Conway); Journey to the North Pole (Lincoln)
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Christmas trains in New York
Four licensed New York Polar Express rides and eight more Santa trains for 2026, from a Long Island trolley to steam in Arcade.
See all 12 rides in New York
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Kingston); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Utica); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Medina); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Calverton); Candy Cane Express (Corinth); Santa's Wonderland Express (Arcade); Santa Claus Express (Milford); Santa Trains to the North Pole (Rush); Santa Express Train Ride (Gowanda); Adirondack Christmas Train (Utica); Santa's Silver Sleigh (Arkville); Holiday Nostalgia Rides (New York)
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Christmas trains in Rhode Island
The Blackstone Valley Polar Express in Woonsocket, which calls itself the longest-running Polar Express in the world, plus the closest Santa trains next door.
See all 1 ride in Rhode Island
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Woonsocket)
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Christmas trains in Vermont
Burlington's two-day Polar Express fundraiser, the Okemo Valley Holiday Express from Chester Depot, and a one-day Santa Train in Bellows Falls.
See all 3 rides in Vermont
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Burlington); Okemo Valley Holiday Express (Chester); Bellows Falls Santa Train (Bellows Falls)
The Mid-Atlantic (6 states)
Pennsylvania has more Santa trains than almost any state but no licensed Polar Express, so many Pennsylvania families cross into New Jersey or Maryland for the licensed ride.
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Christmas trains in Delaware
Two holiday trains from Greenbank Station in Wilmington: a daytime Santa Claus Special and an evening Holiday Lights Express without Santa.
See all 2 rides in Delaware
Santa Claus Special (Wilmington); Holiday Lights Express (Wilmington)
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Christmas trains in Maryland
Two licensed Polar Express rides, at the B&O museum in Baltimore and on the Western Maryland Scenic in Cumberland, plus Santa trains in Walkersville and Colesville.
See all 4 rides in Maryland
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Baltimore); THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Cumberland); Santa Trains (Walkersville); Holly TrolleyFest (Colesville)
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Christmas trains in New Jersey
Two licensed Polar Express rides, in Whippany and Phillipsburg, and five more Santa trains from Flemington and Wayne down to Cape May County and Salem County.
See all 7 rides in New Jersey
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Whippany); THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Phillipsburg); Santa Express (Flemington); Ride With Santa! (Wayne); The Santa Express (Richland); Santa Claus Special (Woodstown); Santa Express (Wall Township)
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Christmas trains in Pennsylvania
Sixteen Pennsylvania Santa trains for 2026, from Strasburg and New Hope to Jim Thorpe and Titusville, with dates, fares and drive times.
See all 16 rides in Pennsylvania
Christmas Trains at Strasburg Rail Road (Ronks); Santa's North Pole Express Train (New Hope); Santa's Polar Bear Express (Boyertown); 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Boyertown); Santa Trains (Kutztown); Santa Claus Express (Kempton); Candy Cane Express (Stewartstown); Santa trains (Middletown); Santa Claus Specials (Jim Thorpe); North Pole Limited (Scranton); Santa Christmas Tree Express (Honesdale); Christmas in Coal Country (Rockhill Furnace); Santa Express (Hollidaysburg); Candy Cane Express (Bellefonte); Santa Trains (Titusville); Santa Trolley (Washington)
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Christmas trains in Virginia
The Virginia Scenic Railway's Santa Express in Staunton and Louisa, $6 VRE Santa Trains, an Amtrak Santa Train from Ashland to Williamsburg, and more.
See all 5 rides in Virginia
The Santa Express (Staunton); The Santa Express (Louisa); VRE Santa Trains (Manassas); Ashland Santa Train (Ashland); Santa Railway Express (Alexandria)
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Christmas trains in West Virginia
The Potomac Eagle's North Pole Express from Romney, with a barn full of station fun, and a steam-powered Christmas train along the Greenbrier River at Cass.
See all 2 rides in West Virginia
North Pole Express (Romney); Christmas at Cass (Cass)
The Southeast (8 states)
North Carolina has the region’s two licensed rides, in Bryson City and Spencer. Florida lost its licensed ride when the Miami event closed, so its families now choose among the state’s own Santa trains or drive to New Orleans.
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Christmas trains in Alabama
Four Alabama Christmas trains for 2026 at Calera and Huntsville, day and night, with dates, fares and which one suits toddlers.
See all 4 rides in Alabama
North Pole Express (Calera); Christmas at the Station (Calera); Santa Train (Huntsville); North Star Limited (Huntsville)
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Christmas trains in Florida
Florida lost its licensed Polar Express, but Parrish, Clewiston and Williston still run Santa trains. Dates, prices and what to know for 2026.
See all 3 rides in Florida
North Pole Express (Parrish); Santa Express (Clewiston); Christmas Train (Williston)
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Christmas trains in Georgia
Seven Georgia Christmas trains for 2026, from the Blue Ridge mountains to Kingsland and Savannah, plus the nearest licensed Polar Express.
See all 7 rides in Georgia
Holiday Express (Blue Ridge); Stone Mountain Christmas Scenic Railroad (Stone Mountain); Santa Special (Kingsland); Cordele Holiday Train (Cordele); Candy Cane Express (Cordele); Plains Christmas Lighting (Cordele); Savannah Santa Train (Savannah)
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Christmas trains in Kentucky
The licensed Polar Express at Stearns, two Kentucky Railway Museum Santa trains, a horse-country ride from Versailles, and a sold-out dinner train in Bardstown.
See all 5 rides in Kentucky
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Stearns); Santa Claus Express (New Haven); North Pole Express (New Haven); Santa's Holiday Express (Versailles); North Pole Express (Bardstown)
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Christmas trains in Mississippi
TrainTastic's Polar Experience nights in Gulfport, a Santa trip by Amtrak into Picayune, and the CPKC Holiday Train's first Mississippi stops.
See all 1 ride in Mississippi
The Polar Experience (Gulfport)
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Christmas trains in North Carolina
Two licensed Polar Express rides, Bryson City and Spencer, plus Tweetsie Christmas and three more North Carolina Santa trains for 2026.
See all 6 rides in North Carolina
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Bryson City); THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Spencer); Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock); Santa Express (New Hill); Carolina Christmas Train (Aberdeen); Jingle Bell Trolley (Asheville)
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Christmas trains in South Carolina
Santa walks the aisle on the South Carolina Railroad Museum's daytime and twilight trains near Columbia, and a $3 Santa Express rolls through North Myrtle Beach's lights.
See all 3 rides in South Carolina
Santa's North Pole Express (Winnsboro); Santa's Twilight Express (Winnsboro); Santa Express Train Ride (North Myrtle Beach)
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Christmas trains in Tennessee
Chattanooga's North Pole Limited, a storybook Christmas Lantern Express in Knoxville, a streamliner Santa Express in Nashville, and the CSX Santa Train.
See all 3 rides in Tennessee
North Pole Limited (Chattanooga); Christmas Lantern Express (Knoxville); Santa Express (Nashville)
The Midwest (12 states)
Chicago’s Union Station Polar Express is not running in 2026, which leaves Monticello as the only licensed ride in Illinois, and it is sold out. Michigan has no licensed ride but has the steam engine the movie train was modeled on.
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Christmas trains in Illinois
Chicago's Union Station Polar Express is off for 2026 and Monticello sold out. Here are the Illinois Santa trains you can still book.
See all 5 rides in Illinois
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Monticello); Lunch with Santa on the Train (Monticello); Happy Holiday Railway (Union); Santa's Trolley Express (South Elgin); Santa Express Train (Wheaton)
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Christmas trains in Indiana
French Lick's licensed Polar Express, five Santa trains across northern and central Indiana, an indoor holiday train in Indianapolis, and the Connersville cancellation.
See all 7 rides in Indiana
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (French Lick); Indiana Christmas Train (Pleasant Lake); Reindeer Run (Hudson); Reindeer Express (Noblesville); Santa Trains (North Judson); Santa's Candy Cane Express (Hesston); Snowfall Express at Celebration Crossing (Indianapolis)
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Christmas trains in Iowa
Three Iowa holiday trains, from a two-hour North Pole visit in Mount Pleasant to a small-town Holiday Express in Hawarden, plus the CPKC Holiday Train stops.
See all 3 rides in Iowa
North Pole Express (Mount Pleasant); Santa Express (Boone); Hawarden Holiday Express (Hawarden)
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Christmas trains in Kansas
Abilene's Cowtown Santa Express, a park train to the North Pole in Wichita, the Santa Rocket question in Baldwin City, and the CPKC Holiday Train in Pittsburg.
See all 3 rides in Kansas
The Cowtown Santa Express (Abilene); Watson's Christmas Express (Wichita); The Santa Rocket (Baldwin City)
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Christmas trains in Michigan
The real Polar Express engine lives in Owosso. Here are Michigan's five Christmas trains for 2026, with dates, fares and what sells out.
See all 5 rides in Michigan
North Pole Express (Owosso); Santa Train (Coopersville); Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic (Flint); Christmas Express (Coldwater); Santa Express (Clinton)
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Christmas trains in Minnesota
Duluth's Christmas City Express to Lake Superior, Santa on a Minneapolis streetcar, caboose rides at the Jackson Street Roundhouse, and 25 CPKC Holiday Train stops.
See all 3 rides in Minnesota
Christmas City Express (Duluth); Holly Trolley (Minneapolis); Santa's Train Shop (St. Paul)
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Christmas trains in Missouri
Two licensed Polar Express rides, in Branson and at St. Louis Union Station, plus Santa trains in Jackson and Monett, a mini train in Kansas City, and CPKC stops.
See all 5 rides in Missouri
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (St. Louis); THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Branson); Santa Express (Jackson); Monett Holiday Express (Monett); Mini Holiday Express at Holiday Reflections (Kansas City)
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Christmas trains in Nebraska
Stuhr Museum's North Pole Express in a real train car, Santa arriving by train in Chadron, Christmas at Omaha's old Union Station, and the nearest rides.
See all 1 ride in Nebraska
North Pole Express (Grand Island)
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Christmas trains in North Dakota
Six free CPKC Holiday Train stops on December 18 and 19, from Hankinson to Minot and Kenmare, and the closest Christmas train rides for North Dakota families.
See all 1 ride in North Dakota
Christmas City Express (Duluth, MN)
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Christmas trains in Ohio
Dennison's licensed Polar Express plus eight Ohio Santa trains, from the Cuyahoga Valley to Lebanon and Nelsonville, with 2026 dates and fares.
See all 9 rides in Ohio
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Dennison); North Pole Adventure (Independence); Riding with Santa (Orrville); Santa Train (Wellington); Santa Comes to the Roundhouse (Sugarcreek); North Pole Express (Lebanon); Santa Train (Nelsonville); Holiday Train (Bellevue); North Pole Express (Findlay)
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Christmas trains in South Dakota
The 1880 Train Holiday Express in the Black Hills: an hour to the North Pole and back with Santa, Mrs. Claus, cocoa, a cookie and a bell for every child.
See all 1 ride in South Dakota
Holiday Express (Hill City)
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Christmas trains in Wisconsin
Green Bay's Polar Express, steam-heated Santa trains at Mid-Continent, East Troy's electric cars to Santa's Workshop, a pizza train in Trego and 13 CPKC stops.
See all 4 rides in Wisconsin
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Green Bay); Santa Express (North Freedom); Christmas Trains (East Troy); Santa Pizza Train (Trego)
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas (4 states)
Texas has two licensed rides, in Galveston and Palestine, and Oklahoma City and New Orleans each have one.
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Christmas trains in Arkansas
The A&M Holiday Express pajama trains in Springdale and Van Buren, Eureka Springs' Christmas Express, and the CPKC Holiday Train's Mena stop.
See all 3 rides in Arkansas
Holiday Express Pajama Train (Springdale); Holiday Express Pajama Train (Van Buren); Eureka Christmas Express (Eureka Springs)
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Christmas trains in Louisiana
The New Orleans Polar Express from Union Passenger Terminal, the City Park train at Celebration in the Oaks, a Santa ride on Amtrak, and six CPKC Holiday Train stops.
See all 3 rides in Louisiana
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (New Orleans); Celebration in the Oaks (New Orleans); The Cringles Christmas Express (New Orleans)
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Christmas trains in Oklahoma
The licensed Polar Express in Oklahoma City, a $2 Christmas train in Muskogee, the Santa Express through Yukon's lights, and two CPKC Holiday Train stops.
See all 3 rides in Oklahoma
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Oklahoma City); Depot Green Christmas Train (Muskogee); Santa Express Train (Yukon)
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Christmas trains in Texas
Both licensed Texas Polar Express rides for 2026, plus four more Christmas trains near Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
See all 6 rides in Texas
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Galveston); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Palestine); Santa's North Pole Express (Grapevine); North Pole Flyer (Bertram); The Christmas Train (Alvin); Santa's Railroad Wonderland (San Antonio)
The Mountain West and Southwest (8 states)
The licensed rides here run on two famous scenic railroads, in Williams, Arizona, and Durango, Colorado, plus Golden near Denver and Carson City, Nevada.
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Christmas trains in Arizona
The Polar Express in Williams, a canyon Christmas train in Clarkdale and three Phoenix and Yuma holiday rides, with 2026 dates and fares.
See all 5 rides in Arizona
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Williams); The Magical Christmas Journey (Clarkdale); Holiday Lights (Scottsdale); Mesa Santa Express (Mesa); Christmas at the Crossing (Yuma)
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Christmas trains in Colorado
Two licensed Polar Express rides, in Golden and Durango, plus five Colorado mountain Santa trains for 2026, with dates, fares and drive times.
See all 7 rides in Colorado
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Golden); THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Durango); Santa's Lighted Forest (Georgetown); Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure (Georgetown); Holiday Express (Leadville); Santa Express Train (Cañon City); Santa's Holiday Express (Antonito)
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Christmas trains in Idaho
Idaho has no tourist railroad running a Santa train in 2026. Here is what Idaho families can ride, from Rexburg's holiday night to Santa trains near Spokane.
See all 2 rides in Idaho
Rexburg's N.O.E.L., a Night of Enchanting Lights (Rexburg); Santa Train Rides (Reardan, WA)
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Christmas trains in Montana
The Charlie Russell Chew Choo's North Pole Adventure near Lewistown: 90 minutes of cocoa, stories and songs on the prairie, with Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard.
See all 1 ride in Montana
North Pole Adventure Train (Lewistown)
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Christmas trains in Nevada
The licensed Polar Express in Carson City, two Santa trains near Las Vegas, Ely's Santa's Reindeer Flyer, a Carson City museum Santa Train and a Virginia City lights train.
See all 6 rides in Nevada
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Carson City); Santa Train (Carson City); Santa Train (Boulder City); North Pole Express (Boulder City); Santa's Reindeer Flyer (Ely); Electric Holiday Train O' Lights (Virginia City)
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Christmas trains in New Mexico
Pablo's Holiday Express from the Lamy Depot near Santa Fe, the Cumbres & Toltec Santa train from Chama, and the nearest licensed Polar Express.
See all 2 rides in New Mexico
Pablo's Holiday Express (Lamy); Santa's Holiday Express (Chama)
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Christmas trains in Utah
The Heber Valley Railroad's North Pole Express: 90 minutes of cocoa, cookies, carols and a gift from Santa, plus free mini train rides at Ogden's Christmas Village.
See all 1 ride in Utah
North Pole Express (Heber City)
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Christmas trains in Wyoming
A once-in-a-lifetime holiday ride behind Big Boy No. 4014 from Cheyenne to Denver, Laramie's train lighting, and the closest Santa trains for Wyoming families.
See all 1 ride in Wyoming
Big Boy Holiday Tour (Cheyenne)
The West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii (5 states)
California has three licensed rides and ten more holiday trains, from the redwoods to San Diego County. Oregon and Washington each have one licensed ride, and Alaska runs a holiday train out of Anchorage.
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Christmas trains in Alaska
Alaska's one holiday train runs from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm with Santa on board. Dates, fares and the sold-out status for 2026.
See all 1 ride in Alaska
The Holiday Train (Anchorage)
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Christmas trains in California
Every California Polar Express ride and Christmas train for 2026, with prices, on-sale dates, drive times and stroller rules for each.
See all 13 rides in California
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Sacramento); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Jamestown); THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Perris); North Pole Limited (Campo); Train of Lights (Fremont); Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train (Santa Cruz); Christmas Train (Orange); Santa Train Jolly Journeys (Napa); Christmas Tree Train: Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree (Willits); Santa Trains (Portola); Magical Christmas Train (West Sacramento); Holiday Train (Los Gatos); Holiday Magic Train (Fish Camp)
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Christmas trains in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Railway Society's Holiday Express on Oahu: a 90-minute pajama ride on a train full of lights, with a special guest at the end.
See all 1 ride in Hawaii
Holiday Express Train Ride (Ewa Beach)
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Christmas trains in Oregon
The licensed Polar Express in Hood River, Santa behind steam along the Willamette in Portland, cocoa on the Tillamook coast, and two more Santa trains.
See all 5 rides in Oregon
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Hood River); Holiday Express (Portland); Candy Cane Express (Garibaldi); Candy Cane Express (Lebanon); Christmas Trains (Baker City)
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Christmas trains in Washington
The licensed Polar Express in Chehalis, a 1930s timber camp Christmas show at Mt. Rainier, Snoqualmie's Santa Train since 1969, and Santa trains in Yacolt and Reardan.
See all 6 rides in Washington
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Chehalis); Steam Into Christmas: The Holiday Timber Train (Elbe); North Pole Limited (North Bend); Yuletide Express (Snoqualmie); Christmas Santa Train (Yacolt); Santa Train Rides (Reardan)
No match yet. Try your state’s full name, or the nearest bigger town; each state guide also lists drive times to rides across the border.
Look inside the book
Going on a 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, which is just right for 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.
Licensed Polar Express or a Santa train?
The licensed ride follows the book: pajamas, hot chocolate and a cookie served while the story is read, a stop at the North Pole, and Santa boarding to give every child a silver sleigh bell. Railroads license it through Rail Events on behalf of Warner Bros., so the script is close to the same everywhere, and so is the demand. Popular hosts sell out weeks or months ahead.
Everything else is a railroad doing its own thing, and the names can be confusing. A North Pole Express, a Polar Bear Express or a Santa Express is usually the railroad’s own event, not the licensed one. Those rides are often cheaper and longer, and some have things the licensed ride never does: real steam engines, a Christmas tree you carry home, a quiet car for kids who find the lights too much, or a whole village lit up for the season. If your child only wants to see Santa on a train, either kind works. If they have watched the movie twenty times and want the bell, book a licensed ride early.
How parents book a holiday train without the stress
Buy the date, then the seat
Weekend evenings in early December go first everywhere. If your schedule is flexible, a weeknight or a November date is easier to get and often cheaper. Upgrade to a table or first class only after you have the date you want.
Pick the departure for your child, not for the photos
Evening trains feel more festive, but a 4:00 or 5:00 pm departure is usually the sweet spot for kids under five. Late trains can run past 9:00 pm by the time you are back at the car.
Check the boarding address
Several hosts board somewhere other than their museum or office. Monticello boards at its downtown depot, the Fox River Trolley at a forest preserve, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad lists its parking lot as the GPS address. Each state guide notes these.
Dress for the platform
Pajamas are welcome on most rides, but you may wait outside before boarding, and some trains use open-air cars. Closed-toe shoes and a warm layer over the pajamas solve most of it.
Use the operator’s own site
Buy only from the railroad’s site or the ticket seller it links to. Several railroads warn that tickets bought from resellers will not be honored.
Free to print
Coloring pages for the drive to the train
Rally the corgi on a red train, a maze and a word search, free to print. They fit in a glove box and buy a parent about twenty quiet minutes.
Print the free train pagesMore train trips with kids
Looking for one town? The Christmas train directory by state and town lists every ride on one page. A holiday ride is often a child’s first train, and if it goes well, a real trip is the next step: our guide to every Amtrak route with kids covers each line, and the Amtrak with kids basics explain tickets, seats and what to pack. For the coast ride that inspired our book, see the Pacific Surfliner family guide.
A train story for the ride homeRally 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
Sources
- Rail Events: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride locations(opens in a new tab)
- Spotatrain: Christmas train rides by state, dates checked against operator sites(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: Christmas Train Ride Locations (2026)(opens in a new tab)
- THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride Chicago: 2026 event update(opens in a new tab)
Checked on . THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Each ride is run by the railroad or museum named on its state page; 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.
Christmas train rides: questions parents ask
What is THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride?
It is a licensed holiday train event based on the Chris Van Allsburg book and the Warner Bros. movie, run by individual railroads and museums under license through Rail Events. Families ride in pajamas while the story is read, hot chocolate and a treat are served, and Santa boards at the North Pole to give each child a silver sleigh bell. Most rides last about an hour to an hour and a half.
Is a North Pole Express the same as the Polar Express?
Usually not. North Pole Express, Polar Bear Express and Santa Express are names railroads use for their own holiday trains, which are not the licensed Polar Express event. They often include Santa, cocoa and a gift, but they do not follow the book's script. Each of our state guides labels which rides are licensed.
How much does a Polar Express train ride cost in 2026?
Coach seats at most licensed rides in 2026 start between about $35 and $60 per person, with St. Louis Union Station lower, under $20. Table seating, first class and private compartments cost more, and many hosts add ticket or preservation fees and charge more on peak nights. Children 2 and older usually need their own ticket.
When do Polar Express tickets go on sale?
It depends on the host. Some open sales in the spring, often with an early window for museum members, and others open in late summer or September. By mid-October 2026 several licensed rides, including Monticello in Illinois and Green Bay in Wisconsin, were already sold out, so it pays to buy as soon as your nearest ride opens.
What age is best for the Polar Express train ride?
Most families find ages 3 to 8 the sweet spot, when children know the story and still believe the bell is from Santa. Babies are welcome, and many hosts let children under 2 ride on a lap, though some require a seat for every passenger. Evening departures can run late, so an earlier train often works better for preschoolers.
Should kids wear pajamas on the Polar Express?
Yes, most hosts encourage pajamas for children and adults, as in the book. Bring warm layers and closed-toe shoes, because you may wait outside on a platform before boarding and some railroads require closed-toe shoes. A coat over the pajamas is the usual answer.
Which states have a licensed Polar Express train ride in 2026?
We confirmed 34 licensed Polar Express rides for 2026 in 23 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Chicago's Union Station ride and Indiana's Connersville ride are not running this year. Each state guide lists the host, boarding address, dates and fares.
Which Polar Express rides are sold out in 2026?
When we last checked, Monticello, Illinois, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, were sold out for 2026. Seats were limited at Woonsocket, Rhode Island; Burlington, Vermont; and Chehalis, Washington. Check the railroad's own page before you give up on a date, and see each state guide for nearby rides that still have seats.
Which Polar Express rides run after Christmas?
14 licensed Polar Express rides keep going after December 25 in 2026: Medina, New York (until December 27); Palestine, Texas (until December 27); Portland, Maine (until December 28); St. Louis, Missouri (until December 30); Whippany, New Jersey (until December 30); Kingston, New York (until December 30); Perris, California (until December 31); New Orleans, Louisiana (until December 31); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (until December 31); Durango, Colorado (until January 2); Branson, Missouri (until January 2); Hood River, Oregon (until January 2); Williams, Arizona (until January 3); Bryson City, North Carolina (until January 3).
When does the Polar Express season start in 2026?
The earliest licensed ride we found starts November 1, at Whippany, New Jersey. By November 6, 7 licensed rides are running, including Williams, Arizona; Golden, Colorado; French Lick, Indiana; Bryson City, North Carolina; Spencer, North Carolina; and Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Most of the rest start between mid-November and Thanksgiving weekend.
What is the cheapest Polar Express train ride?
Among the licensed rides, St. Louis Union Station lists fares under $20, the Texas State Railroad in Palestine starts from about $20, and Big South Fork in Stearns, Kentucky, starts from $25. Most other hosts start between about $35 and $60 for coach. Fees, peak nights and premium cars push prices higher, so compare on the host's own site.
Which state has the most Christmas train rides?
On our state guides, Pennsylvania has the most, with 16 holiday train rides for 2026, followed by California with 13 and New York with 12. Pennsylvania has no licensed Polar Express, but its railroads run steam Santa trains, trolley rides and a Christmas tree train.
Which states have no licensed Polar Express in 2026?
27 states have no licensed ride this year, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee. Most of them still have Santa trains of their own, and each state guide lists the nearest licensed ride with typical drive times from the big cities.
Is there a Polar Express or Santa train near me?
Type your state or town in the search box near the top of this page. It covers all 50 states and the 216 holiday train rides on our state pages, including 34 licensed Polar Express rides. Every state guide also has a drive-time table from its biggest cities to the nearest rides.
Which Christmas trains run into January?
10 rides on our state pages run into the new year, including Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans, Louisiana (until January 1); the Polar Express in Durango, Colorado (until January 2); the Polar Express in Branson, Missouri (until January 2); the Polar Express in Hood River, Oregon (until January 2); the Holiday Express in Hill City, South Dakota (until January 2); the Polar Express in Williams, Arizona (until January 3); the Stone Mountain Christmas Scenic Railroad, Georgia (until January 3); the Polar Express in Bryson City, North Carolina (until January 3). Dates come from each railroad's 2026 schedule.
Are there sensory-friendly Polar Express rides?
Yes. Licensed Polar Express hosts in Perris, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Whippany, New Jersey; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Galveston, Texas; and Burlington, Vermont list sensory-friendly trains or cars for 2026, some with softer sound and lights. Outside the licensed rides, the Santa Express in New Hill, North Carolina, and the Santa Trolley in Washington, Pennsylvania, offer sensory-friendly sessions too. Dates are on each state page.
Can you get a Christmas tree on a train ride?
Yes, on a few. The Stourbridge Line's Santa Christmas Tree Express from Honesdale, Pennsylvania, stops at a Christmas venue where trees and wreaths are sold and carries your tree back on the train. In California, the Skunk Train in Willits runs a Christmas Tree Train with Mr. Skunk. Details are on the Pennsylvania and California guides.
Are there free Christmas train rides?
A few community events are free. The Mesa Santa Express, Arizona: free; donations welcome. Rexburg's N.O.E.L., a Night of Enchanting Lights, Idaho: free community event. Several state guides also list free Santa arrivals by train and city holiday villages with small free rides.