Christmas trains 2026Charlotte · The Queen City

Christmas train rides near Charlotte, 2026.

In 2026, Polar Express and Santa train rides near Charlotte run Nov 6 through Dec 23. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at North Carolina Transportation Museum starts Nov 6. Everyone 2 and up needs a seat. Santa's Twilight Express at South Carolina Railroad Museum starts Dec 4.

The quick answersChecked
Shortest ride?Tweetsie Christmas train: 20 minutes.20 minutesCheapest ticket?Tweetsie Christmas train, from $45.from $45Best for under-3s?Tweetsie Christmas train: Free for ages 2 and under.Under 3Is there a Polar Express ride?THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Spencer, NC · about 40 miles away: from Nov 6.1 rideWhere’s the Santa train?Santa's Twilight Express: from Dec 4. Plus 2 more.3 trainsDo I need to book?2 of 5 ask you to book ahead or warn they sell out.Book early

Last checked · 5 trains · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every Christmas train, by first date

Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.

6NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Spencer, NC · about 40 miles away27NovFriTweetsie Christmas trainLights train · to Dec 30 · Blowing Rock, NC · about 80 miles away4DecFriSanta's Twilight ExpressSanta train · to Dec 19 · Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away5DecSatSanta's North Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 19 · Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away10DecThuThe Carolina Christmas TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Aberdeen, NC · about 80 miles away

What to know

Dates, ages and tickets near Charlotte

Each line is copied from that operator’s page. When they have not posted a price, the line says so.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Nov 6 through Dec 23, Spencer, NC · about 40 miles away). Ages: Everyone 2 and up needs a seat. No pricing information.

Tweetsie Christmas train (Nov 27 through Dec 30, Blowing Rock, NC · about 80 miles away). Ages: Free for ages 2 and under. Tickets: $65 adults, $45 ages 3–12.

Santa's Twilight Express (Dec 4 through Dec 19, Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away). No pricing information.

Santa's North Pole Express (Dec 5 through Dec 19, Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away). No pricing information.

The Carolina Christmas Train (Dec 10 through Dec 20, Aberdeen, NC · about 80 miles away). No pricing information.

Train rides

Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Charlotte

Dates, ride length, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.

Quick picks: Shortest ride: Tweetsie Christmas train (20 minutes). Cheapest: Tweetsie Christmas train (from $45). Best for under-3s: Tweetsie Christmas train (Free for ages 2 and under).

Nov6to Dec 23

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

North Carolina Transportation Museum · Spencer, NC · about 40 miles away

Polar Express
Ride length
Not listed
Time
Afternoon and evening trains
Ages
Everyone 2 and up needs a seat; one lap child under 2 per paying adult
Price
No pricing information
Tickets
Book online. The museum page describes the seat classes and does not print a 2026 ticket price or a ride length.

Good to know: Runs Nov 6–8, 13–15, 20–22, 27–29 and Dec 4–6, 10–23. Two trains run at once. Standard, Deluxe and First Class are on both. Parlor Class is on Train A only.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 30

Tweetsie Christmas train

Tweetsie Railroad · Blowing Rock, NC · about 80 miles away

Lights train
Ride length
About 20 minutes
Time
5–9:30 p.m. on select evenings; Santa through Dec 23
Ages
Free for ages 2 and under
Price
$65 adults, $45 ages 3–12
Tickets
Pick a reserved Christmas Train departure when you buy

Good to know: Evenings Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–23 and 26–30. Each ticket includes one reserved open-air Christmas Train ride. Santa through Dec 23.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec4to 19

Santa's Twilight Express

South Carolina Railroad Museum · Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away

Santa train
Time
6 p.m.
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec5to 19

Santa's North Pole Express

South Carolina Railroad Museum · Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away

Santa train
Time
10, 11 a.m., noon, 2 and 3 p.m.
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec10to 20

The Carolina Christmas Train

Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway · Aberdeen, NC · about 80 miles away

Santa train
Time
Evening rides 5 and 7 p.m. (3 p.m. on weekends); morning rides Dec 13, 19 and 20
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Tickets
Several departures already full
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a train

Before you go

Three things that make train day easier

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 little kids. Late lights trains are better for older kids.

Keep planning

More for little kids in Charlotte

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Good questions

Christmas trains near Charlotte: the FAQ

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Spencer, NC · about 40 miles away: Nov 6 – Dec 23. Price: No pricing information. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.

Santa's Twilight Express (Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away): Next: Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and 2 more. Santa's North Pole Express (Winnsboro, SC · about 60 miles away): Sat Dec 5, Sat Dec 12 and Sat Dec 19. The Carolina Christmas Train (Aberdeen, NC · about 80 miles away): Next: Thu Dec 10, Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13 and 4 more.

Tweetsie Christmas train (Blowing Rock, NC · about 80 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 30, $65 adults, $45 ages 3–12.

Many do. Two of the five here ask you to book ahead or warn that seats sell out. Each card says what the operator posts about tickets.

Shortest ride: Tweetsie Christmas train, 20 minutes. Cheapest ticket: Tweetsie Christmas train, from $45. Best for under-3s: Tweetsie Christmas train, Free for ages 2 and under. Those come from the ride length, price and age notes on this page.

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.

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