Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Wheaton for 2026, and here is what he found: 8 family events, 2 of them free. The magic runs from November 22 (A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert) through December 30, with A Marvelous Christmas Light Show (from November 22), Festival of Lights and Tree Sale (from November 27) and Santa's Craft Corner (from November 28) along the way. We check every date on the host’s own website, and each listing links straight there. For the rest of the state, see our Illinois Christmas events for kids guide.
What Rally found in Wheaton
- 8 Christmas events for kids in Wheaton
- 2 free events, including A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert and Festival of Lights and Tree Sale
- Meet Santa: 3 chances, including Santa's Craft Corner (from November 28) and Pizza with Santa (from December 3)
- Also on the list: 1 Christmas show, 2 Christmas light displays, 1 Christmas market and 4 craft workshops
- Season: November 22 (A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert) to December 30 (Festival of Lights and Tree Sale)
- Every date checked on the host’s own site on Nov 10
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- 3 Breakfast and treats
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Free Christmas events for kids in Wheaton
Holiday showFree
A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert
- When: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 2 to 3 pm (Registration was listed as closed because the event is full)
- Where: Wheaton Public Library, Meeting Room A, 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free, registration required (listed as full)
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
The Chris White Trio plays Vince Guaraldi's complete soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas live in the library's Meeting Room A. The music will be familiar to any family that watches the television special each year, and the library is using the hour to open its holiday season.
The concert is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Wheaton Public Library. It is listed for adults and all ages, and registration is required. The library's page showed registration closed because the event is full.
Parent tip: Because sign-up was already full, contact the library before promising this one to the kids. At one hour on a Sunday afternoon, it is a gentle length for a first live concert if a spot opens up.
- Host
- Wheaton Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Wheaton Public Library, Meeting Room A, 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
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Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 7 more Wheaton events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Wheaton.
- Exclusive access to free events Find the free Christmas events in Wheaton before they fill up.
- Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Coming up on this page
- 4 Crafts
- 3 Santa
- 3 Zoos and museums
- 3 Breakfast and treats
- 2 Free
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Holiday lightsFree
Festival of Lights and Tree Sale
- When: Friday, November 27, 2026 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (Daily; lights come on at 3 p.m. Open 9 a.m. to noon on December 24 and closed December 25.), 9 am to 9 pm
- Where: Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Cosley Zoo strings thousands of lights around its grounds and turns part of the property into a Christmas tree lot. Families can pick out a tree, wreath or greenery, warm up with hot chocolate and browse holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop, with proceeds going to the zoo.
The festival runs daily from November 27 to December 30, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the lights switch on at 3 p.m. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to noon on December 24 and is closed on Christmas Day. Admission is free during the festival.
Parent tip: Come after 3 p.m. if the lights are the point, since that is when they are switched on. A morning visit is the better choice if you mainly want to see the animals and choose a tree in daylight.
- Host
- Cosley Zoo (Wheaton Park District) (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Wheaton
Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.
Holiday lights
A Marvelous Christmas Light Show
- When: Sun November 22, Sun November 29 (4:30 to 9 pm), Sun December 6, Sun December 13 and Sun December 27, 2026 (Five Sunday evenings. Hours shown are from the November 29 listing; check Cantigny's admission calendar for the other nights.)
- Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Ticketed; admission varies by date and is not listed on the event page
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
On five Sunday evenings Cantigny swaps the usual carols in its Christmas light show for music inspired by well-known superhero films. The lit gardens, glowing trees, oversized floral sculptures and music-synced displays stay the same, so it is the regular walk through the park with a different soundtrack. Every other open night keeps the traditional holiday music.
The superhero nights are November 22 and 29 and December 6, 13 and 27, 2026, and the November 29 listing shows hours of 4:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is ticketed and the price changes by date. Booking ahead includes parking, which otherwise costs $11 on site, and Cantigny says last entry is 30 minutes before closing and that light show sales are final whatever the weather.
Parent tip: Tell superhero fans beforehand that the theme is in the music; the page describes a change of soundtrack, not costumed characters. Because tickets are final in any weather, check the forecast for your Sunday and dress everyone for an outdoor walk.
- Host
- Cantigny Park (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Santa visit
Santa's Craft Corner
- When: Sat November 28, Sat December 5 and Sat December 12, 2026, 10 am to 1 pm (Three Saturdays)
- Where: Cosley Zoo, Kiebler Room, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $20 per household, paid at the door
Expand to see the parent tip
Santa sets up in the Kiebler Room on the second floor of Cosley Zoo's large barn for three Saturday mornings. One household fee covers crafts, refreshments and a visit with Santa, and families can tour the zoo and take holiday photos before or after.
The dates are November 28, December 5 and December 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fee is $20 per household, due at the door, and no registration is required. Zoo admission is free during the Festival of Lights and Tree Sale, which runs at the same time.
Parent tip: The Kiebler Room is reached by stairs only, so leave the stroller at the bottom and plan to carry little ones up. With no sign-up, arriving near the 10 a.m. start gives you the most time before the three-hour window closes.
- Host
- Cosley Zoo (Wheaton Park District) (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Cosley Zoo, Kiebler Room, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
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Santa visit
Pizza with Santa
- When: Thu December 3 and Fri December 4, 2026, 5:30 to 7 pm (Two evenings; choose one)
- Where: Ray Morrill Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $20 per child; adults do not need to register
Expand to see the parent tip
Kids share a pizza dinner with Santa, work on a craft and have their photo taken with him at the Ray Morrill Community Center.
It is offered on Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The fee is $20 per child and registration through the Wheaton Park District is required. Adults do not need to register.
Parent tip: Only children need a spot, so register each child and come along as the adult without a ticket. Pick the Friday evening if a Thursday school night is tight for your family.
- Host
- Wheaton Park District (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Ray Morrill Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
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Holiday crafts
Gingerbread House Night
- When: Thursday, December 10, 2026, 5:30 to 7 pm
- Where: Ray Morrill Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $25 residents, $31 non-residents; registration required
- Ages: Ages 3 to 12
Expand to see the parent tip
Children design and decorate their own gingerbread house with candies, icing and other trimmings at the Ray Morrill Community Center. The park district supplies everything, so families only need to turn up. Each child must have an adult with them, and that adult does not pay.
It takes place on Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and is for ages 3 to 12. The fee is $25 for Wheaton residents and $31 for non-residents, and registration through the park district is required.
Parent tip: Register each child who will build a house; the adult who comes along attends free. With a 5:30 p.m. start on a Thursday, feed kids a proper dinner first so the candy stays on the roof.
- Host
- Wheaton Park District (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Ray Morrill Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
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Breakfast with Santa
Santa Brunch
- When: Sunday, December 13, 2026, 9 am to 1 pm (Reservation times between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
- Where: Tribune Hall, Cantigny Golf Clubhouse, 1S151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $42 adults, $26 ages 5 to 12, $10 under 5, plus tax, gratuity and service fee
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Santa joins families for brunch in Tribune Hall at the Cantigny Golf Clubhouse. A staff member takes each family's photo with Santa using the family's own phone or camera, and groups of up to 20 can book together.
Reservations are offered between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2026. Pricing is $42 for adults, $26 for ages 5 to 12 and $10 for children under 5, before 7.25 percent tax, 18 percent gratuity and a $0.99 service fee. Bookings must be paid in full up front and cannot be refunded within 5 days of the reservation.
Parent tip: Bring a charged phone or camera, because the Santa photo is taken on your own device. With full prepayment and no refunds in the final 5 days, choose a time slot that works around naps before you commit, and confirm the clubhouse entrance when you book.
- Host
- Cantigny Park (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Tribune Hall, Cantigny Golf Clubhouse, 1S151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
Rally researches Christmas events in Wheaton daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Wheaton.
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Holiday crafts
Santa's Workshop
- When: Mon December 14 (9 to 11 am) and Mon December 14 (1 to 3 pm), 2026 (Choose the morning or the afternoon session)
- Where: Toohey Park Building, 1900 Orchard Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $36 residents, $45 non-residents; registration required
- Ages: Ages 4 to 6
Expand to see the parent tip
This is a craft session for young children, timed so parents can get some last-minute shopping done while the kids are busy. Children spend two hours making holiday keepsake crafts and are given a nut-free snack.
It is offered on Monday, December 14, 2026, in two sessions, 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m., at the Toohey Park Building. It is for ages 4 to 6 and costs $36 for Wheaton residents or $45 for non-residents. Registration with the park district is required.
Parent tip: Despite the name, the page describes crafts and a snack and does not mention a Santa visit, so set expectations with your child. It falls on a Monday, so check it against your school or preschool schedule before picking a session.
- Host
- Wheaton Park District (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Toohey Park Building, 1900 Orchard Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Wheaton events every week
Rally researches Christmas events in Wheaton daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Wheaton.
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We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Illinois Christmas train rides page.
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Wheaton Christmas event for kids happens
The first is A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert in Wheaton on November 22; the last runs to December 30. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas ConcertWheaton · Nov 22
- A Marvelous Christmas Light ShowWheaton · Nov 22 to Dec 27
- Festival of Lights and Tree SaleWheaton · Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Santa's Craft CornerWheaton · Nov 28 to Dec 12
- Pizza with SantaWheaton · Dec 3 to Dec 4
- Gingerbread House NightWheaton · Dec 10
- Santa BrunchWheaton · Dec 13
- Santa's WorkshopWheaton · Dec 14
Looking further afield? Our Illinois Christmas events for kids guide lists every event we have found in the state, and we have city guides for Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Bloomingdale and West Chicago. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Wheaton
In Wheaton, one of the best-known Christmas tree lots is at the zoo. Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights and Tree Sale reached its 40th year in 2023, and downtown the season opens with a lights ceremony at Adams Park, a parade and a tree lighting all on the same evening.
How Wheaton celebrates
Wheaton starts its Christmas season on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In recent years the evening has opened with the Nights of Lights ceremony at Adams Park, followed by the Downtown Wheaton Association's Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. and the downtown tree lighting at 7 p.m. A 2014 Daily Herald report shows the lighted parade and tree lighting then opened an annual celebration called Dickens of a Christmas. Nights of Lights is newer and was in its fourth year in 2023. At Cosley Zoo, the Festival of Lights and Tree Sale marked its 37th anniversary in 2020. Cantigny Park's Christmas light show is the most recent arrival, reaching its third season in 2025.
Christmas last year in Wheaton
On Friday, November 28, 2025, Nights of Lights opened at Adams Park with more than 55,000 lights and an animated display at the fountain. The Christmas Parade set off at 6 p.m. from Wheaton Avenue and Wesley Street, and the tree was lit afterward at the downtown pavilion. Santa and Mrs. Claus met families at the W Tent on Front Street on December 6, 13 and 20, and children could leave letters to Santa there from November 29 to December 20. A Christmas Tree Walk placed 50 decorated trees around downtown. Cosley Zoo's festival ran from November 28 to December 30, and Christmas at Cantigny opened on November 21.
Fun facts about Christmas in Wheaton
Cosley Zoo's tree sale began with about 200 Scotch pines and had grown to more than 2,500 trees in four varieties by 2023, according to the zoo's director. The Nights of Lights display at Adams Park uses more than 55,000 bulbs. In the 2014 parade, Santa rode the final float and Buzz Lightyear made an appearance. McCormick House at Cantigny displayed a 20-foot Christmas tree in 2025.
Traditions today
- Wheaton Christmas Parade: The Downtown Wheaton Association's evening parade runs from Wheaton Avenue and Wesley Street to Front Street and east to Cross Street on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
- Downtown tree lighting: The city's Christmas tree is lit at the downtown pavilion right after the parade and stays lit each evening into early January.
- Nights of Lights at Adams Park: Adams Park is strung with more than 55,000 lights, free to walk through each evening of the season.
- Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights and Tree Sale: The zoo lights its grounds and sells Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery as a major fundraiser for the animals and its programs.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus at the W Tent: On December Saturdays the Clauses greet families for free photos at a tent on Front Street, where children can also drop off letters to Santa.
- Christmas at Cantigny: Cantigny Park lights its gardens for a walk-through show, decorates McCormick House and opens an outdoor ice rink.
A fact for kids
Children who dropped a letter to Santa at the W Tent on Front Street in 2025 were promised a reply from the North Pole. At the 2014 parade, Buzz Lightyear turned up, and Santa rode the very last float.
Questions about Christmas in Wheaton
When does Wheaton's Christmas season begin?
It begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In 2025 that was November 28, when the Adams Park lighting ceremony, the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. and the downtown tree lighting all took place on the same evening. Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights opened that day too.
What route does the Wheaton Christmas Parade follow?
According to the City of Wheaton's 2025 newsletter, the parade starts at Wheaton Avenue and Wesley Street, heads south to Front Street, turns east on Front and finishes at Cross Street. The Downtown Wheaton Association organizes it, and it has stepped off at 6 p.m. in recent years.
Where is Wheaton's Christmas tree?
The tree stands at the downtown pavilion near Liberty Drive and Main Street, which news coverage also calls the south pavilion. It is lit immediately after the parade, and in 2025 the city said it could be viewed daily from 4 to 10 p.m. through January 4.
What is Nights of Lights in Wheaton?
Nights of Lights is a free display at Adams Park with more than 55,000 lights and an animated light feature at the park's fountain. It was in its fourth year in 2023 and its sixth in 2025, when it was lit daily from 4 to 10 p.m. through January 4.
How long has Cosley Zoo held its Festival of Lights?
A Cosley Zoo press release said 2020 marked the festival's 37th anniversary, and the zoo's director told NCTV17 in 2023 that it was in its 40th year. She described it as a tradition for many local families.
What does the Cosley Zoo tree sale support?
The zoo has said all profits from tree sales go to conservation and education work, exhibit development and animal care, and it calls the festival one of its largest annual fundraisers. NCTV17 reported in 2023 that the money raised goes to the Cosley Foundation, which supports the zoo.
Where could kids meet Santa in downtown Wheaton in 2025?
Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at the W Tent on Front Street, just west of Main Street, on three Saturdays: December 6 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and December 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. The city listed the visits as free.
What is the Wheaton Christmas Tree Walk?
It is a Downtown Wheaton Association display that ran from December into January in the 2025 season, with 50 trees decorated by local shops and restaurants and a public vote for the favorite. One tree at Hale and Front streets served as a Giving Tree collecting gifts for homeless veterans.
What was Dickens of a Christmas in Wheaton?
The Daily Herald used that name in 2014 for the city's annual holiday celebration, which opened with the tree lighting and a lighted parade on November 28 that year. It included Santa visits at Martin Memorial Plaza, Saturday horse-drawn carriage rides and a Holiday Stroll with treats at downtown shops.
What is Christmas at Cantigny?
It is a holiday light show at Cantigny Park in Wheaton that marked its third season in 2025. Shaw Local described a half-mile accessible path through lit gardens, a decorated McCormick House with a 20-foot tree, and a 100-by-40-foot outdoor ice rink.
Does Wheaton have a home decorating contest?
Yes. The City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Park District run the Light Up Wheaton Holiday Decorating Contest. In 2025 residents registered with a photo and address by December 11, and awards were given for Most Creative, Mayor's Choice and People's Choice, each with a commemorative prize and local gift cards.
Sources
- Favorite holiday events in downtown Wheaton this season, Shaw Local
- Wheaton Weekly, November 26, 2025, City of Wheaton
- Wheaton Weekly, December 2025, City of Wheaton
- Wheaton rings in holiday season with tree lighting, Daily Herald
- Your Guide To Tree Lighting, Parade, Night Of Lights In Wheaton, Patch
- Cosley Zoo returns its annual Festival of Lights and Tree Sale, NCTV17
- Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights and Christmas Tree Sale Opens November 27, Cosley Zoo
- Christmas at Cantigny returns for a spectacular third season, Shaw Local
Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Illinois city.
Wheaton Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Wheaton to start with?
Start at Cosley Zoo. Santa's Craft Corner runs on November 28, December 5 and December 12, 2026, with crafts and a Santa visit, and the zoo's Festival of Lights and Tree Sale is on daily from November 27 to December 30. Gingerbread House Night on December 10 at the Ray Morrill Community Center is a good hands-on evening for ages 3 to 12.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Wheaton?
Yes. Admission to Cosley Zoo is free during the Festival of Lights and Tree Sale, November 27 to December 30, 2026, with the lights coming on at 3 p.m. The Wheaton Public Library's A Charlie Brown Christmas concert on November 22 is also free with registration, though the library listed it as full.
Where can kids meet Santa in Wheaton?
Santa is at Cosley Zoo for Santa's Craft Corner on November 28, December 5 and December 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Wheaton Park District holds Pizza with Santa on December 3 and 4 at the Ray Morrill Community Center, and Cantigny hosts a Santa Brunch at its golf clubhouse on Sunday, December 13.
Where can families see Christmas lights in Wheaton?
Cantigny Park runs its Christmas light show through the gardens, and on five Sundays (November 22 and 29, December 6, 13 and 27, 2026) it becomes A Marvelous Christmas, set to music inspired by superhero films. Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights is open daily from November 27 to December 30, with lights on from 3 p.m.
Which Wheaton Christmas events need tickets or sign-up?
Gingerbread House Night on December 10, Santa's Workshop on December 14 and Pizza with Santa on December 3 and 4 all require park district registration. Cantigny's light show and its December 13 Santa Brunch are booked in advance, and the library concert on November 22 needs registration. Santa's Craft Corner at Cosley Zoo needs no sign-up; you pay at the door.
Is there a Wheaton holiday program where parents can go shopping while kids are busy?
Santa's Workshop on Monday, December 14, 2026, is planned for exactly that. Children ages 4 to 6 make holiday keepsake crafts and have a nut-free snack at the Toohey Park Building while parents shop. There are two sessions, 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m., and registration with the Wheaton Park District is required.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids near Wheaton?
Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s Illinois Christmas train rides guide. This Wheaton guide covers Santa visits, story times, light shows and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 10, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.