Nov21to Dec 19
Santa Trains
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum · North Judson, IN · about 65 miles away
- Time
- Saturdays
- Ages
- Toddlers 0–2 free
- Price
- Coach $30 adults, $25 ages 3–15; Economy Coach $25 / $20; First Class options cost more
Christmas trains 2026Chicago · The Windy City
Christmas train rides near Chicago, 2026.
We found five Christmas trains within a drive of Chicago with 2026 dates posted: five Santa trains. The closest, Santa's Trolley Express in South Elgin, is about 35 miles out. 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
Every Christmas train, by first date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
21NovSatSanta Trains
Santa train · to Dec 19 · North Judson, IN · about 65 miles away27NovFriHappy Holiday RailwaySanta train · to Dec 21 · Union, IL · about 55 miles away28NovSatDaytime Christmas TrainsSanta train · to Dec 20 · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away28NovSatSanta's Special Evening TrainsSanta train · to Dec 19 · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away28NovSatSanta's Trolley ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · South Elgin, IL · about 35 miles away
Santa train · to Dec 19 · North Judson, IN · about 65 miles away27NovFriHappy Holiday RailwaySanta train · to Dec 21 · Union, IL · about 55 miles away28NovSatDaytime Christmas TrainsSanta train · to Dec 20 · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away28NovSatSanta's Special Evening TrainsSanta train · to Dec 19 · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away28NovSatSanta's Trolley ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · South Elgin, IL · about 35 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Chicago
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov27to Dec 21
Happy Holiday Railway
Illinois Railway Museum, East Union Depot, 7000 Olson Road · Union, IL · about 55 miles away
- Time
- Nov 27–29, Dec 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20, plus Mon Dec 21; departures 11:30am–7pm
- Ages
- Everyone past their second birthday needs a ticket
- Price
- $30 adults, $25 children; parking is free
- Tickets
- Buy a timed ticket online and arrive 30 minutes before departure
Good to know: A 40-minute ride with Santa aboard, cocoa and cookies, and a light and song show in most cars. Car 7658 is a quiet car with traditional decorations for kids who'd rather skip the show. Fireworks at 5:45pm on opening weekend if the weather allows. Streetcar rides and the heated model railroad are included.
Nov28to Dec 20
Daytime Christmas Trains
East Troy Railroad Museum · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away
- Time
- Not listed
- Ages
- Ages 0–2 need a $13–$16 ticket
- Price
- Adults $41–$43, kids 3–14 $36–$39
Nov28to Dec 19
Santa's Special Evening Trains
East Troy Railroad Museum · East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away
- Time
- 5 p.m.
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Adults $69–$79, kids 3–14 $59–$72
Nov28to Dec 20
Santa's Trolley Express
Fox River Trolley Museum (boards at Blackhawk Station, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve) · South Elgin, IL · about 35 miles away
- Time
- Weekends from 10:30 a.m.; Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m.
- Ages
- Every passenger needs a ticket, whatever their age
- Price
- $50 per person from Nov 1
- Tickets
- Each departure booked separately; all sales final
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a trainBefore 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 toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
More for little kids in Chicago
November: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ChicagoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in ChicagoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in ChicagoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Chicago: the FAQ
Not one we could confirm with 2026 dates on an official page. The closest thing on this page is Santa Trains, Happy Holiday Railway and Daytime Christmas Trains.
Santa Trains (North Judson, IN · about 65 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 21, Sat Nov 28, Sat Dec 5, Sat Dec 12 and 1 more. Happy Holiday Railway (Union, IL · about 55 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 21. Daytime Christmas Trains (East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 4 more. Santa's Special Evening Trains (East Troy, WI · about 75 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 28, Fri Dec 4, Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and 2 more. Plus one more on this page.
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.
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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend, holiday trains included.
