Nov20to Dec 27
North Pole Express
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation · Findlay, OH · about 80 miles away
- Time
- Evenings
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Not listed
Christmas trains 2026Columbus · Ohio’s capital
Christmas train rides near Columbus, 2026.
We found four Christmas trains within a drive of Columbus with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, two Santa trains and one holiday lights train. The closest, Santa Train in Nelsonville, is about 55 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.
20NovFriNorth Pole Express
Lights train · to Dec 27 · Findlay, OH · about 80 miles away28NovSatSanta TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Nelsonville, OH · about 55 miles away3DecThuTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 13 · Dennison, OH · about 95 miles away5DecSatHoliday TrainSanta train · to Dec 13 · Bellevue, OH · about 90 miles away
Lights train · to Dec 27 · Findlay, OH · about 80 miles away28NovSatSanta TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Nelsonville, OH · about 55 miles away3DecThuTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 13 · Dennison, OH · about 95 miles away5DecSatHoliday TrainSanta train · to Dec 13 · Bellevue, OH · about 90 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Columbus
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov28to Dec 20
Santa Train
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway · Nelsonville, OH · about 55 miles away
- Time
- Weekends 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; 6 p.m. evening trains Nov 28, Dec 3–5, 10–12 and 17–19
- Ages
- Under 3 free on a lap
- Price
- Not listed
Dec3to 13
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum · Dennison, OH · about 95 miles away
- Time
- Thu–Fri 6 and 8 p.m.; Sat–Sun 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- $53–$84 per ticket plus a $4 fee
Dec5to 13
Holiday Train
Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum · Bellevue, OH · about 90 miles away
- Time
- Not listed
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- $7 per rider
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 toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
More for little kids in Columbus
November: things to do in ColumbusEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ColumbusEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ColumbusFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ColumbusFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ColumbusIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ColumbusBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ColumbusHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ColumbusParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ColumbusKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ColumbusParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in ColumbusBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in ColumbusChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ColumbusWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Splash pads in ColumbusSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in ColumbusStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in ColumbusDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Columbus: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Dennison, OH · about 95 miles away: Next: Thu Dec 3, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 4 more. Price: $53–$84 per ticket plus a $4 fee.
Santa Train (Nelsonville, OH · about 55 miles away): Nov 28 – Dec 20. Holiday Train (Bellevue, OH · about 90 miles away): Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13.
North Pole Express (Findlay, OH · about 80 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 27.
None on this page warns about it right now. 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.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Columbus that weekend, holiday trains included.
