# Christmas train rides near San Francisco Bay Area, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- 4 Christmas trains with 2026 dates
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## Train rides

- **THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride** at California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento, Sacramento, CA · about 75 miles away. When: Nov 13 – Dec 21. Time: Evenings; Dec 21 runs only the 3:30, 5 and 6:30 p.m. trains. Price: Coach $80–$85, First Class $100–$110 per passenger; tables of four $320–$440. Ages: All ages. Booking: Timed tickets for each train. Type: Polar Express. Official page: https://www.californiarailroad.museum/events/polar-express (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Holiday Lights Train** at Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA · about 40 miles away. When: Nov 27 – Dec 23. Time: Select evenings Nov 27 to Dec 23. Type: Lights train. Official page: https://roaringcamp.com/events (checked 2026-10-29)
- **THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride** at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown, CA · about 100 miles away. When: Nov 27 – Dec 20. Time: Select dates Nov 27 to Dec 20. Price: Coach $85 per person. Ages: All ages. Booking: Timed tickets for each train. Type: Polar Express. Official page: https://www.railtown1897.org/visit/events/polar (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Train of Lights** at Niles Canyon Railway, Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA. When: Next: Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Mon Nov 23 and 20 more. Time: Leaves Niles at 4:30 p.m. and Sunol at 7:30 p.m. Price: $40 general seating, ages 3 and up. Ages: All ages; under 3 free on a lap. Booking: The railway says every 2026 ticket is sold out. Type: Lights train. Official page: https://www.ncry.org/ride/train-of-lights/ (checked 2026-10-29). SOLD OUT (still listed; check the official page for a waitlist or added dates)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### Is there a Polar Express train ride near San Francisco Bay Area in 2026?
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.

### Are there holiday light trains or zoo trains near San Francisco Bay Area?
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.

### Do Christmas train rides sell out?
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.

### How do you check these train rides?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).