We found four Christmas trains within a drive of San Francisco Bay Area with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides and two holiday lights trains. The closest, Train of Lights, is in Fremont and Sunol. Each card has the dates, times, the ages it suits, the price as the operator lists it and whether you need to book ahead.
By date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Polar Express · to Dec 21 · Sacramento, CA · about 75 miles away27NovFriHoliday Lights TrainLights train · to Dec 23 · Santa Cruz, CA · about 40 miles away27NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 20 · Jamestown, CA · about 100 miles away20NovFriTrain of LightsLights train · to Dec 30 · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · Sold outNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento · Sacramento, CA · about 75 miles away
Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk · Santa Cruz, CA · about 40 miles away
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park · Jamestown, CA · about 100 miles away
Niles Canyon Railway · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA
Before you go
TicketsBook as soon as you canPolar Express and Santa trains often sell out weeks ahead, weekend evenings first.
DressPajamas are part of itMany Polar Express rides invite kids to come in pajamas. Bring a warm layer for the platform.
TimingPick a ride before bedtimeEarly departures are easier with toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in Bay AreaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Bay AreaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Bay AreaFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Bay AreaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Bay AreaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in Bay AreaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in Bay AreaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in Bay AreaKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in Bay AreaParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Bay AreaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Bay AreaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in Bay AreaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in Bay AreaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Sacramento, CA · about 75 miles away: Nov 13 – Dec 21. Price: Coach $80–$85, First Class $100–$110 per passenger; tables of four $320–$440. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Jamestown, CA · about 100 miles away: Nov 27 – Dec 20. Price: Coach $85 per person. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Holiday Lights Train (Santa Cruz, CA · about 40 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. Train of Lights (Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA): Next: Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Mon Nov 23 and 20 more, $40 general seating, ages 3 and up.
Many do. Three of the four here ask you to book ahead or warn that seats sell out. Each card says what the operator posts about tickets.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Bay Area that weekend, holiday trains included.
