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

Meet Santa aboard the Strasburg Railroad. Photo courtesy of the railroad
Meet Santa aboard the Strasburg Railroad. Photo courtesy of the railroad
10/23/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a festive train ride. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up a variety of Christmas trains near DC, including several options for a Polar Express train ride. From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains near DC 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 quickly, so be sure to purchase tickets as soon as possible. Some of them offer different seating options at various price points, which can be found when booking online.

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Get your golden tickets punched to board the Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum
Get your golden tickets punched to board the Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum

Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides Near DC

The Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore, MD
Fridays-Sundays, November 25-December 18, 2022
Monday, December 19, 2022
Chris Van Allsburg's classic book comes to life from the moment passengers climb aboard this Polar Express train ride, when the conductor punches their golden tickets. Once aboard, passengers can indulge in hot chocolate and cookies and receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself. Note that strobe lights are briefly used during the journey as scenes from the book are brought to life. READ MORE

Santa Train (Walkersville Southern Railroad)

Walkersville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, November 26-December 18, 2022
Bring a camera to catch the excitement of meeting Santa on this magical train ride about a 75-minute drive from DC. During the 70-minute journey aboard the festively decorated train, Santa and his helpers pass out a small gift to every child while Christmas music plays in the background. READ MORE

Winter Express with Santa & Friends

Walkersville, MD
Saturdays, December 3 & 17, 2022
Some special friends join Santa for two magical train rides—Beauty and the Beast characters on December 3 and the Ice Queen and Ice Princess on December 17. The special guests sing popular songs on the train platform, then join families for a 70-minute train ride with on-board entertainment. Each child receives a small gift from Santa. Kids are encouraged to dress up! READ MORE

Santa Express (Northern Central Railway)

New Freedom, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, December 3-18, 2022
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 explore a Winter Wonderland and enjoy hot chocolate, a cookie, and music by a strolling fiddler. READ MORE

Elf on the Engine

New Freedom, PA
Friday-Sunday, November 25-27, 2022
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 25-December 11, 2022
Daily, December 16-24, 2022
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

Strasburg, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, November 19-December 24, 2022
Friday, November 25, 2022
Ride to Paradise, Pennsylvania and back on this 45-minute train excursion. The train is decorated for the holidays, and there are readings of favorite Christmas stories until Santa makes his grand entrance and gives a special gift to all children age 11 and under. Passengers sitting in the President's Car can purchase drinks and treats, while those who buy tickets for the Dining Car can choose a sandwich and dessert at booking.  READ MORE

Night Before Christmas Train

Strasburg, PA
Friday, December 2
Thursday-Sunday, December 8-11
Daily, December 15-23, 2022
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, PA
Wednesdays-Fridays, December 7-16
Monday-Friday, December 16-23
Friday December 2, 2022
Take a 45-minute ride through Amish Country with Santa aboard a 100-year-old 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 18-December 18, 2022
Monday-Friday, December 19-23, 2022
This 75-minute, interactive train ride includes milk and freshly baked 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 scene with live animals, cocoa and snacks for purchase, and more. There's also a station where kids can write their Christmas list, check it twice, and send it to Santa. READ MORE

Santa's Express

West Chester, PA
Saturdays & Sundays, November 18-December 18, 2022
Friday, November 25, 2022
Journey through Chester Creek Valley aboard Santa's Express. Santa greets passengers at the station and joins them for the ride aboard the heated and festively decorated train, so don't forget your camera and Christmas list!  READ MORE

Holly Trolley Fest

Colesville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, December 3-18, 2022
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly Trolley Fest. Families can ride the street cars, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a holiday model railroad display.  READ MORE

Whistle Stop Hobbies Annual Santa Train

Alexandria, VA
Mondays, December 5-19, 2022
Thursday, December 8, 2022
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
There's nothing like a festive train ride to get you in the Christmas spirit. Photo courtesy of the Strasburg Railroad
There's nothing like a festive train ride to get you in the Christmas spirit. Photo courtesy of the Strasburg Railroad

Christmas Tree Trains Near DC

Christmas Tree Train at Strasburg Rail Road

Strasburg, PA
Fridays & Saturday, November 25 & 26, 2022
Saturday, December 3, 2022
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. On evening trips, old-fashioned Edison lights illuminate the way around the grove.  READ MORE

Christmas Tree Train at West Chester Railroad

West Chester, PA
Sundays, November 27-December 11, 2022
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

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