Enjoy a magical train ride this season to get into the holiday spirit!
From Virginia to Maryland and Pennsylvania, holiday train rides are open for booking (and sell out fast!), so plan your trip today.
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
Various Northern Virginia Locations
VRE Santa Train
Dec 13, 2025
A few weeks before Christmas, families are invited to climb aboard a VRE train with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to bask in the holiday spirit! Santa’s helpers also join the ride, passing out candy canes and coloring books and making the day a magical adventure!
Santa Train
Dec 1-18, 2025
Head down to Alexandria, VA, for a delightful train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus! This annual round-trip excursion hosted by Whistle Stop Hobbies departs King Street Station and travels to Manassas, VA.
WALKERSVILLE SOUTHERN RAILROAD & MUSEUM
Walkersville, MD
Santa Train
Nov 28-Dec 21, 2025
Enjoy a holiday train ride and visit Santa on the Walkersville Southern Railroad Santa Train! The railroad’s regular scenic excursion becomes a little more magical during the holidays, and this specialty train ride is one you don’t want to miss!
B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM
Baltimore, MD
The Polar Express
Nov 28-Dec 23, 2025
Enjoy the magical story of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express as the book’s pages come to life on a B&O Railroad Museum holiday train ride! Dressed in your pajamas, kick off this two-hour immersive experience with a live performance of the Hot Chocolate song and dance, and receive the First Gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, from Santa! Upon arrival, enjoy crafts, make s’mores, and shop for themed goodies.
WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILROAD
Cumberland, MD
The Polar Express
Nov 21-Dec 23, 2025
Make your way through the mountains on the Western Maryland Railroad this holiday season! On this 60-minute journey to the North Pole, this family experience features a live reading, sing-alongs, and favorite scenes from The Polar Express brought to life. Meet Santa, make memories, and book early — seating is limited and popular dates sell fast.
NATIONAL CAPITAL TROLLEY MUSEUM
Colesville, MD
Holly TrolleyFest
Nov 29-Dec 21, 2025
The National Capital Trolley Museum, open since 1969, not only offers a chance to learn about historical streetcars in the District but also an opportunity to take a trolley ride in one of 11 original cars! On select days, the Museum will host Holly TrolleyFest, featuring toy trains and Santa riding on streetcars!
POTOMAC RAILWAY
Romney, WV
North Pole Express
Nov 21-Dec 23, 2025
Experience the holidays with newfound joy as you and your children board our train and get whisked away to the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus to save Christmas. From caroling to milk and cookies, everyone can relive the magic this winter. See what else you’ll experience when you ride the North Pole Express train!
WESTCHESTER RAILROAD
West Chester, PA
Santa’s Express
Nov 22-Dec 21, 2025
Santa’s Express is ready to embark on a magical journey through the Chester Creek Valley! Enjoy a music-filled ride, as well as the opportunity to see Santa as he greets everyone on the train!
Christmas Tree Train
Nov 30-Dec 13, 2025
West Chester Railroad has partnered with Wiggins Tree Farm, so guests can enjoy a holiday train ride to pick out and cut down their own live Christmas tree! Once you’ve picked that perfect tree, it will be banded, tagged, and will take the train ride home with you!
NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILWAY
New Freedom, PA
Christmas Elf Express
Nov 28-30, 2025
Santa’s elves are working hard to prepare for the big day. They visit the Northern Central Railway to enlist some helpers and collect letters for Santa, but everything goes wrong when Finnegan Frost, the mischievous elf, shows up to cause trouble! At this interactive opportunity, kids will help the elves get everything back on track so the merriest of holidays can unfold!
Santa Express
Dec 5-21, 2025
Northern Central Railway’s Santa Express train is festively decked out for the season, bringing holiday cheer! You’re invited to climb aboard for a ride to Glen Rock and back, where each child can visit Santa, have their picture taken, and receive a special gift.
STRASBURG RAILROAD
Ronks, PA
Santa Claus Limited
Dec 3-19, 2025
The Strasburg Rail Road offers historic steam train rides in Lancaster County, PA. Enjoy a 45-minute steam excursion with Santa Claus on board.
Santa’s Paradise Express
Nov 15-Dec 24, 2025
Also, a 45-minute steam excursion with Santa Claus on board, but with a little more holiday magic. Take a pic with St. Nick, receive a special gift from him, plus enjoy live music, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, and more!
Night Before Christmas
Nov 28-Dec 23, 2025
This special performance train recreates the excitement of Christmas Eve as kids hear a live reading of The Night Before Christmas.
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