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Holiday Train Rides

Polar Express, Christmas trains & magical seasonal experiences across California

24 holiday train experiences for the 2026 season

24 Holiday Trains

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Best for Ages

Train of Lights

Train of Lights

Niles Canyon Railway • Fremont, CA

Announced
Planned 2026 operating dates are: Nov. 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 Dec. 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30
1.5h ride
$$ (~$160/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ 2026 general seating $40 each for ages 3+; under 3 free on lap. Tickets go on sale Oct 3 at 10am; booking via operator page. Some dates or departure times vary.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

California State Railroad Museum • Sacramento, CA

On Sale
Official Polar Express
Nov 13-Dec 21, 2026; selected November dates, then Wednesdays-Mondays after Thanksgiving; 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8pm (Dec 21 no 8pm).
1h ride
$$$ (~$320/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Coach $80-$85 per guest; first class $100-$110. Four coach seats from $320 (all fees included). Public sale began Sep 18 at 9am, not Sep 23.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Jamestown

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Jamestown

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park • Jamestown, CA

On Sale
Official Polar Express
Nov 27-Dec 20, 2026, Fridays-Sundays; 4:30, 6 and 7:30pm.
1h ride
$$$ (~$340/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ $85 per coach seat; all fees included. Public sales began Sep 18, 2026 at 9am. Operator page has a stale 2025 FAQ date, superseded by its 2026 section.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Southern California

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Southern California

Southern California Railway Museum • Perris, CA

On Sale
Official Polar Express
Sensory Friendly Option
2026 season scheduled; sensory-friendly departures Nov 24 at 4pm and 6pm. Consult operator calendar for all departure dates.
1h ride
$$ (~$211/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ 2026 all-in fares: adult $56.25-$88.25, child age 2-11 $49.25-$81.25; example 2 adults + 2 children from $211. Sensory-friendly is Nov 24, not Dec 19.

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Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Roaring Camp Railroads • Santa Cruz, CA

Not Announced
2026 Holiday Lights Train dates not confirmed; operator page retains prior-season dates and labels a 2026 date TBD.
1h ride
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Published fare amounts and Nov-Dec schedule are not clearly labeled for 2026; do not treat as current prices or dates. Prior season information remains on operator page.

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Holiday Tree Walk Train

Roaring Camp Railroads • Felton, CA

Not Announced
Steam Train
2026 Holiday Tree Walk Train schedule not published; do not use prior "December weekends" as a 2026 date.
1.5h ride
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8)

⚠️ 2026 return and holiday fare not publicly confirmed on operator event page.

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Magical Christmas Train

River Fox Train • West Sacramento, CA

On Sale
Nov 27-Dec 24, 2026 according to operator calendar; choose date in the booking widget to confirm availability.
2h ride
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Operator page links to booking; prior operator-site check found seats from $89.75, but a current price could not be verified in readable page text. Do not use old $200 family estimate.

Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train

Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train

Napa Valley Wine Train • Napa, CA

On Sale
Premium Experience
Evening Santa Train during Nov-Dec 2026; operator page specifically lists daytime Jolly Journeys Dec 21, 22 and 23. Check booking calendar for other dates.
1.75h ride
$$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Four experience classes with variable adult/child fares; old $360 family estimate not verified. Operator page does not label all general evening dates with a year; 2026 season dates Nov 27-Dec 23 reported by a local guide, confirm live at checkout.

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Irvine Park Railroad • Orange, CA

Announced
Nov 27-Dec 23, 2026; weekdays 4-9pm, weekends 10am-9pm; Dec 14-23 extended 10am-9pm.
0.25h ride
$$ (~$88/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8)

⚠️ $22-$37 per ticket by hour; under 24 months free. Example four $22 tickets $88 before per-ticket online fee and park entrance. Tickets on sale Nov 2 at 10am.

Train of Lights (Post-Christmas)

Train of Lights (Post-Christmas)

Irvine Park Railroad • Orange, CA

Announced
Dec 26-30, 2026, daily 5-9pm.
0.25h ride
$ (~$44/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8)

⚠️ $11-$17 per ticket depending on hour, under 24 months free; example four tickets from $44 before online fees and park entrance. Tickets on sale Dec 7, 2026 at 10am. A lower FAQ answer still says Dec 8, 2025 and is stale.

Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree

Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree

Skunk Train / California Western Railroad • Willits, CA

On Sale
Steam Train
Unique Experience
2026 Christmas Tree Train is listed for booking; specific departure dates and exact 2026 fares should be checked in the booking calendar.
2h ride
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Operator ride page describes the Willits Christmas ride; partner booking displayed fares from $72 in the prior operator-site check, but a live fare could not be verified here. The old $200 family estimate is not current.

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THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Mount Hood Railroad • Hood River, OR

On Sale
Official Polar Express
Sells Out Fast
Scenic Favorite
Selected dates Nov 20, 2026-Jan 2, 2027; consult operator booking calendar for precise departures.
1.5h ride
$$ (~$216/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ 2026 Standard seats $59-$79 adult and $49-$69 child, so 2 adults + 2 children start $216; premium tiers higher, lap infants $10.

Candy Cane Express

Candy Cane Express

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad • Garibaldi, OR

Not Announced
Steam Train
2026 Candy Cane Express schedule not announced; operator page still gives Nov 28-Dec 23, 2025.
1h ride
$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Old $96 estimate is not verified for 2026. Booking remains unconfirmed.

Holiday Express

Holiday Express

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation • Portland, OR

On Sale
Sells Out Fast
Steam Train
Selected dates Nov 27-Dec 27, 2026; see operator departure grid.
0.75h ride
$ (~$105/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Family pass $105 (two adults, two children); individual $35 adult 14+, $25 child 3-13, under 3 free on lap. Grid identifies which departures are on sale.

Sumpter Valley Christmas Train

Sumpter Valley Christmas Train

Sumpter Valley Railway • Sumpter, OR

Announced
Charter Available
Dec 11, 2026 at 4pm; Dec 12 at 11am, 1:30pm and 4pm; Dec 13 at 11am and 1:30pm.
2h ride
$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ 2026 dates confirmed on operator timetable. Ticket sale state and Christmas fare not established by the readable operator pages; prior $92 family estimate is unverified.

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Holiday Night Light Rides

Tennessee Thunder Stand & Railroad • Lebanon, OR

Not Announced
Toddler-Friendly
Charter Available
2026 holiday ride dates not published. December is mentioned generally, not a dated schedule.
0.13h ride
$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8)

⚠️ No confirmed 2026 holiday departure dates or holiday-specific ticket price on operator homepage. The $9 adult/$8 child fare is not identified as a holiday price. Operator verified Sept 27, 2026: Tennessee Thunder Stand & Railroad is in Lebanon, OR (37672 Kgal Dr) - the name is correct despite sounding out-of-state. Site currently promotes October 'Harvest Tracks'; holiday light rides not yet announced for 2026.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum • Chehalis, WA

On Sale
Official Polar Express
Sells Out Fast
Nov 14-15, 21-22, 28-29; Dec 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20, 2026 (Friday evening only).
1.25h ride
$$ (~$276/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Regular coach $69 per person; first class marked sold out on operator page at check. Some departure dates may sell out.

Christmas With The Clauses

Christmas With The Clauses

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad • Elbe, WA

On Sale
Sells Out Fast
Scenic Favorite
Nov 21-Dec 23, 2026; selected departure times 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30pm.
1.25h ride
$$ (~$172/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Coach from $48/adult and $38/child (2+); sample family of four $172. 2026 tickets on sale since Sep 1.

Yuletide Express Train Ride

Yuletide Express Train Ride

Northwest Railway Museum • Snoqualmie, WA

On Sale
Toddler-Friendly
Fridays, Dec 4, 11 and 18, 2026.
0.67h ride
$ (~$120/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8)

⚠️ $30 per guest ages 2+; operator page says on sale now. Availability varies by departure.

North Pole Limited (formerly Santa Train Limited)

North Pole Limited (formerly Santa Train Limited)

Northwest Railway Museum • North Bend, WA

On Sale
Nov 28-29 and Dec 5-7, 12-13 and 19-20, 2026 as printed on operator page; date list includes Dec 7 despite "Saturdays & Sundays" wording, so verify that departure in ticket calendar.
2h ride
$$ (~$156/family)
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ $39 per guest ages 2+. North Pole Limited is the operator’s current name; tickets on sale.

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Christmas Special Train

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad • Yacolt, WA

Not Announced
Charter Available
2026 Christmas Special dates and tickets not listed on current operator ticketing page.
2h ride
$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Prior $88 family estimate and old availability claim are unverified for 2026; check operator before relying on them.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

Churnet Valley Railway • Froghall, Staffordshire, Staffordshire

On Sale
Starts November 2026, selected dates until December 23, 2026
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Season: November 2026 on selected dates through Dec 23, 2026. Fares GBP 28.95-52.95. Licensed Rail Events production.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

South Devon Railway • Buckfastleigh, Devon, Devon

On Sale
Polar Express
November - December 2026 (2026 event calendar on operator page)
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ 2026 event page live on operator site with Nov/Dec 2026 booking calendar; exact dates and fares in booking flow.

Santa Claus Express (night train to Lapland)

Santa Claus Express (night train to Lapland)

VR (Finnish Railways) • Helsinki, Uusimaa

On Sale
Daily night trains year-round Helsinki and Turku to Rovaniemi (also Kolari and Kemijarvi); winter season is the Santa season
12h ride
$$
Toddlers (2-4), Kids (5-8), Tweens (9-12)

⚠️ Regular VR double-decker night train service to Rovaniemi (Santa Claus Village / Arctic Circle). Seats and private sleeper cabins (some with shower); car-carrier available. Book via vr.fi. Fares vary by date/cabin; unverified.

🎄 Holiday Train Tips for Families

Book Early!

Most holiday trains sell out within days of tickets going on sale. Set calendar reminders for on-sale dates and be ready to book immediately.

Dress Warm

Many holiday trains have open-air cars or outdoor waiting areas. Layer up and bring blankets for evening rides.

Arrive Early

Give yourself 30-45 minutes before departure for parking, check-in, and finding your seats. Kids love watching the train arrive!

Consider Weekdays

If your schedule allows, weekday departures often have better availability and smaller crowds than weekend rides.