See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo
29 Best Things to Do in DC November 2024 with Kids: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Lights
There are so many restaurants at which to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in the DC area. Photo by Cotton Bro Studio via Pexels
21 Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Main photo by Tim & Selena Middleton/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
Visit the famous Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Photo by Sam Posten III via Flickr 2.0
Fun Fall Day Trips From DC for Families
Sometimes you can lend a helping hand, sometimes you need a helping hand. Because every kid deserves presents on Christmas. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
How To Find Free Toys for Kids this Christmas and Holiday Season—Apply Soon!
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
75 Free Fun Things To Do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with Kids

All Aboard A Polar Express Train Ride, Plus More Christmas Trains Near DC

Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard
Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard
10/25/24 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a Polar Express train ride or a festive Christmas train. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up a variety of Christmas trains near DC, including several options for Polar Express train rides in 2024.

From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!

Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to help you plan more holiday fun this season, and get a jump on your holiday decorating by trying some of these 101 Christmas activities for kids. Santa will be here before you know it!

While these Polar Express and Christmas trains near DC run on multiple dates and times, many of them sell out weeks (or even months) in advance, so be sure to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Get your golden ticket punched to board the Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Get your golden ticket punched to board the Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides Near DC

The Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 29 - December 22, 2024
Thursdays, December 12 & 19, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Come in your pajamas to watch a live performance of The Polar Express. Once on the train, the classic hot chocolate song and dance is performed and everyone meets Santa and receives the First Gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell. At the North Pole, enjoy crafts at Santa’s village, shop for fun goodies, and have your picture taken with Santa. READ MORE

Santa Train (Walkersville Southern Railroad)

Walkersville, MD
Friday - Sunday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8, 2024
Bring a camera to catch the excitement of meeting Santa on this magical train ride. During the 70-minute journey aboard the festively decorated train, Santa and his helpers pass out a surprise to every child while Christmas music plays in the background. READ MORE

Winter Express with Santa & Friends (Walkersville Southern Railroad)

Walkersville, MD
Saturday & Sunday, December 14 & 15, 2024
The Ice Queen and Ice Princess join Santa for two magical train rides. The special guests sing popular songs on the train platform, then join families for a 70-minute ride with on-board entertainment. Each child receives a small gift from Santa. Kids are encouraged to dress up. READ MORE

Walkersville Southern Railroad Holiday Spectacular

Walkersville, MD
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
Families can enjoy a visit from Santa, a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Glee-club-style caroling from the Sleigh Belles trio aboard this festive train ride. READ MORE

Santa Express (Northern Central Railway)

New Freedom, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, December 7-22, 2024
On this one-hour ride aboard a festively decorated steam-engine train, kids can have their picture taken with Santa and receive a special gift. Back at the station they can visit the engine house and enjoy hot chocolate, a cookie, model trains, and music by a strolling fiddler. READ MORE

Christmas Elves Express (Northern Central Railway)

New Freedom, PA
Friday - Sunday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
A mischievous elf named Finnegan Frost has scattered pieces of Santa's elves' good-elf-o-matic machine throughout the train. Riders must search for and conceal the missing pieces from Finnegan, then return them to the platform at the end of the 75-minute ride to help restore Christmas cheer. READ MORE

The Polar Express (Western Maryland Scenic Railroad)

Cumberland, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 24 - December 25, 2024
Daily, December 19-24, 2024
The beloved children's book comes alive on this hour-long train ride to the North Pole, for which passengers are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas. Listen to the original movie soundtrack while eating cookies and sipping hot chocolate. There is also a reading of the book and singing and dancing to Christmas favorites. Santa makes an appearance and gives each passenger a silver sleigh bell, which—if you know the story—can only be heard by those who believe. READ MORE

Santa’s Paradise Express on the Strasburg Rail Road

Strasburg, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, November 16 - December 22, 2024
Friday, November 29, 2024
Monday & Tuesday, December 23 & 24, 2024
Ride to Paradise, Pennsylvania, and back on this 45-minute train excursion aboard the Strasburg Rail Road. Santa greets families on the train and gives a special gift to all kids ages 11 and under. READ MORE

Night Before Christmas Train (Strasburg Rail Road)

Strasburg, PA
Fridays - Sundays, December 6-22, 2024
Thursdays, December 12 & 19, 2024
Monday, December 23, 2024
Experience the excitement of Christmas Eve even when it's not December 24 on this very special one-hour train ride. Listen to the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on this journey aboard a decorated holiday train, where drinks and treats are available for purchase. READ MORE

The Santa Claus Limited (Strasburg Rail Road)

Strasburg, PA
Wednesdays - Fridays, December 4-20, 2024
Take a 45-minute ride through Amish Country with Santa aboard a 100-year-old steam train that's all decked out for Christmas. Kids can take a picture with Santa as Christmas music plays. READ MORE

North Pole Express (Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad)

Romney, WV
Fridays - Sundays, November 15 - December 15, 2024
Daily, December 16-23, 2024
This 75-minute train ride includes milk and cookies courtesy of Mrs. Claus, readings of favorite Christmas stories, and Christmas caroling. Santa boards at the North Pole and gives a special gift to each child. Back at the station, there's an event barn with holiday-themed activities, a Nativity with live animals, cocoa and snacks for purchase, and more. There's also a station where kids can write letters to Santa. READ MORE

Santa's Express on the West Chester Railroad

West Chester, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, November 23 - December 22, 2024
Friday, November 29, 2024
Journey through Chester Creek Valley for a 75-minute ride aboard Santa's Express. Santa greets passengers at the station and joins them for the ride aboard the heated and festively decorated train complete with live entertainment, so don't forget your camera and Christmas list!  READ MORE

Holly Trolley Fest

Colesville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, November 30 - December 22, 2024 (and Friday, December 20)
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly Trolley Fest. Families can ride the street cars, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a holiday model railroad display, do crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Whistle Stop Hobbies Annual Santa Train

Alexandria, VA
Mondays, December 2-16, 2024
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Take a train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus from Alexandria's King Street Station to Old Town Manassas. There you 'll enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, a storytime in the station, and a Q&A with Santa on the platform before returning to King Street. The entire journey takes three hours, and every kid will receive a special holiday treat. READ MORE

VRE Santa Train

Burke, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Spotsylvania, & Woodbridge, VA
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Ride a VRE train to meet Santa and friends, who are on board to promote rail safety and Operation Lifesaver’s “Look, Listen and Live” campaign. Santa’s helpers hand out candy canes and coloring books. READ MORE
There's nothing like a festive train ride to get you in the Christmas spirit. Photo courtesy of the Strasburg Rail Road
There's nothing like a festive train ride to get you in the Christmas spirit. Photo courtesy of the Strasburg Rail Road

Christmas Tree Trains Near DC

Christmas Tree Train at Strasburg Rail Road

Strasburg, PA
Friday - Sunday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
Travel on an authentic steam train to Leaman Place Grove to choose the perfect pre-cut Christmas tree. After selecting a Frasier fir, passengers can sing along to Christmas carols around a campfire. Old-fashioned Edison lights illuminate the way around the grove.  READ MORE

Christmas Tree Train at West Chester Railroad

West Chester, PA
Sundays, December 1-15, 2024
West Chester Railroad's heated and festively decorated Christmas Tree Train departs the station promptly at 8am to take passengers to Wiggins Tree Farm, where they can cut their own Christmas tree. The crew helps load Christmas trees onto vehicles at the end of the trip. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: