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Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Chicago

Polar Express train rides in Chicago are a popular holiday excursion. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Polar Express Facebook page
Polar Express train rides in Chicago are a popular holiday excursion. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Polar Express Facebook page
10/20/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for Christmas trains in Chicago? These popular rides fill up quickly, but there are still many available Polar Express train rides near Chicago.

Chicago's Union Station Polar Express ride is back in 2023, offering dozens of opportunities for train-loving kids to meet Santa on their ride to the North Pole!  We've also managed to find plenty of Polar Express and Santa Express Christmas train rides in Chicago's suburbs with seats available. Check out the breakfast or lunch spread at the CASA Christmas Express in New Lenox, or visit the Illinois Railway Museum before or after your ride on the Happy Holiday Railway. Check out mini trains in Aurora or Orland Park, or board a trolley in Bloomingdale or Oak Brook. And the CTA holiday trains and buses are back for 2023.

Here are our favorite Polar Express train rides in Chicago that are happening this year, and a list of those to look out for next year!

Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum
Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum

Holiday Train Rides with Tickets Available on Publish Date

Happy Holiday Railway

Saturdays and Sundays, November 24-December 23, 2023—Union
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. READ MORE

WAIT LIST Villa Park Holiday Train Ride

Saturday, December 2, 2023—Villa Park
Just like in The Polar Express, kids can wear their pajamas on the train for a ride to "The North Pole" (aka Elburn) aboard the UP Western Line from Villa Park. The event includes a story and a visit with Santa.  READ MORE

SOLD OUT CASA Christmas Express

Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, 2023—New Lenox
Ride the Polar Express from New Lenox to Tinley Park, where families can enjoy breakfast or lunch at Harald Viking Lodge. The event includes visits and photos with Santa, holiday cookies, activities throughout the day, and goody bags and souvenirs for children. Proceeds benefit Will and Grundy County children experiencing abuse or neglect. READ MORE

Oswego Holiday Express

Friday, December 8, 2023- Sunday, December 10, 2023—Oswego
Get in your pajamas and enjoy a train ride with Santa from South Point Station. Mrs. Claus greets kids with hot cocoa from The Village Grind before families board trains that leave every 20 minutes throughout their session. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Franklin Park Polar Express

Saturday, December 9, 2023—Franklin Park
Climb aboard the Polar Express in Franklin Park for a 20-minute ride to the North Pole (in Elgin). The ride includes cookies, milk, caroling, and holiday stories on the train. Santa board the train in Elgin and rides back to Franklin Park with the kids. READ MORE

SOLD OUT West Chicago North Pole Adventure

Saturday, December 9, 2023 and Sunday, December 10, 2023—West Chicago
Begin your journey to the North Pole at the West Chicago Train Station. Kids can enjoy music, stories, snacks and surprises before receiving a special gift from Santa. READ MORE

The Polar Express Storytime Train Frankfort

Sunday, December 10, 2023—Frankfort LOTTERY FOR TICKETS
Children can travel from the Hickory Creek Metra Station to the "North Pole," where they will find Santa and bring him back to the south suburb. Santa's elves will make balloon animals and read stories on the way. READ MORE

WAIT LIST Polar Express Mount Prospect

Monday, December 18, 2023- Wednesday, December 20, 2023—Mount Prospect
When you sign up for the River Trails Park District's Polar Express, your child receives an individual letter inviting them to the Mount Prospect Metra Station, where they can ride to the North Pole. Each child also receives a gift on the train. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Polar Express Story Time Train Addison

Saturday, December 9, 2023 and Sunday, December 17, 2023-- Itasca
The magic of the Polar Express leave the Itasca Metra Station en route to the North Pole on December 9 and December 16. Each date has two time options available. Riders can enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of the classic children's book on board the train. READ MORE

Chicago Polar Express Train Ride

Tuesdays through Sundays, December 3, 2023- January 1, 2024-- Downtown
The whole family can enjoy a Polar Express themed train ride through tunnels, rail yards, and neighborhoods along the Chicago River. Tickets include entertainment, hot chocolate, a cookie, and a keepsake sleigh bell to bring home. READ MORE

WAIT LIST Winfield Polar Express

Saturday, December 16, 2023--Winfield
Put on your pajamas and climb aboard the Polar Express. Hear the story, drink hot chocolate, eat cookies and see Santa. The train leaves from John Duerr Forest Preserve. READ MORE
Choo choo! All aboard the Holiday Express. Photo courtesy of Blackberry Farm
Choo choo! All aboard the Holiday Express. Photo courtesy of Blackberry Farm

Mini-Train and Trolley Events (Metra Ride Not Included)

Blackberry Farm Holiday Express

Thursdays through Sundays, November 30, 2023- December 17, 2023—Aurora
See the thousands of twinkling lights at Blackberry Farm while riding the Holiday Express around Lake Gregory. Kids can also take a hay ride, make crafts, visit the reindeer food bar, and enjoy holiday story time readings at the one-room school house. Santa will be available for visits. READ MORE

Bloomingdale Holiday Trolley Rides

Thursday, December 7, 2023—Bloomingdale
Ride the Blooomingdale Holiday Trolley around town to see the lights, hear a story, sing carols, and visit with Santa. Kids will make a craft and eat treats at Johnston Recreation Center before or after their ride. READ MORE

LIMITED AVAILABILITY Oak Brook Holiday Express Trolley

Sunday, December 10, 2023-- Oak Book
Believers of all ages can take a trolley ride to the North Pole at this Oak Brook Park District event. Activities include crafts, a reading of The Polar Express, a bounce house, and refreshments. READ MORE
Check Again in 2024! Photo by Cold Coffee, courtesy of Canva
Check Again in 2024! Photo by Cold Coffee, courtesy of Canva

Events Cancelled or Sold Out for 2023 to Check Again in 2024

SOLD OUT Fox River Trolley Polar Express

Kids can relive the holiday classic book The Polar Experess on this magical trip from the Fox River Trolley Museum. The train will go to the North Pole, where kids can meet Santa and receive a small gift. Each trip takes about one hour. READ MORE

WAITLIST Itasca Polar Express

Enjoy a story, chocolate milk, cookies, and a visit from Santa aboard the Metra from Itasca to Elgin and back. Children can dress in their pajamas and will receive a special gift. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Carol Stream Park District Polar Express

Sold out for 2023. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Barrington Express to Santa's Workshop

Sold out for 2023. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Butterfield Park District Polar Express

Sold out for 2023. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Wheaton Santa Express

Sold out for 2022. READ MORE

WAITLIST Burr Ridge Storytime Train

Two Storytime Trains leave the Hinsdale Train Station headed for the North Pole on December 18. Kids can meet Santa and his elves, enjoy crafts and a magic show, and feast on a holiday buffet. Pictures with Santa and a gift are also included. READ MORE

WAITLIST Santa's North Pole Adventure

Santa visits his fans at Orland Park's 143rd Street Station to read a story and drink hot cocoa. Kids can also make s'mores at Crescent Park, build a train toy, and enjoy a trackless train ride around the park. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Geneva Polar Express Storytime Train

Sold out for 2023. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Skokie North Pole Express

Sold out for 2023. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Santa Trolley Express

Riders can climb aboard the Santa Trolley Express at six different times for a 90-minute trip from the Oak Park Conservatory to Historic Cheney Mansion on December 9 or 16. At the mansion, families can enjoy milk, cookies, and entertainment. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Illinois Railway Museum
Hickory Creek Metra Station
Two Brothers Roundhouse
Wheaton Metra Station