In 2026, Santa train rides near Dayton run Nov 14 through Dec 23. Reindeer Express at Nickel Plate Express starts Nov 14. All ages. Santa Train at Hocking Valley Scenic Railway starts Nov 28. Under 3 free on a lap.
By date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Model trains · to Jan 4 · Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) · about 50 miles away14NovSatReindeer Express
Santa train · to Dec 23 · Noblesville, IN · about 100 miles away20NovFriNorth Pole ExpressLights train · to Dec 27 · Findlay, OH · about 95 miles away28NovSatSanta TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Nelsonville, OH · about 105 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
What to know
Each line is copied from that operator’s page. When they have not posted a price, the line says so.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains (Nov 13 through Jan 4, Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) · about 50 miles away). Ages: All ages. Tickets: Included with museum admission.
Reindeer Express (Nov 14 through Dec 23, Noblesville, IN · about 100 miles away). Ages: All ages. Tickets: Standard group of 2 from $95; Platinum, Diamond and private caboose cost more.
North Pole Express (Nov 20 through Dec 27, Findlay, OH · about 95 miles away). Ages: All ages. No pricing information.
Santa Train (Nov 28 through Dec 20, Nelsonville, OH · about 105 miles away). Ages: Under 3 free on a lap. No pricing information.
Train rides
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: Best for under-3s: Santa Train (Under 3 free on a lap).
Nickel Plate Express · Noblesville, IN · about 100 miles away
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation · Findlay, OH · about 95 miles away
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway · Nelsonville, OH · about 105 miles away
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a trainModel trains
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
Cincinnati Museum Center · Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) · about 50 miles away
Good to know: The trains' 80th season: over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives, plus a scavenger hunt. Santa arrives Nov 27.
More to come.Model train shows often post late. We recheck every week through December.Email me when one’s addedBefore 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 little kids. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in DaytonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in DaytonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in DaytonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in DaytonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in DaytonStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in DaytonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Sledding in DaytonSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rules
Thanksgiving weekend in DaytonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in DaytonKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in DaytonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in DaytonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in DaytonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas tree farms in DaytonChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in DaytonDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in DaytonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
More things to do with kids in Dayton this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Not one we could confirm with 2026 dates on an official page. The closest thing on this page is Reindeer Express, North Pole Express and Santa Train.
Reindeer Express (Noblesville, IN · about 100 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 and 15 more. Santa Train (Nelsonville, OH · about 105 miles away): Nov 28 – Dec 20.
North Pole Express (Findlay, OH · about 95 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 27.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at Cincinnati Museum Center: Nov 13 – Jan 4, Included with museum admission.
Many do. One of the four here asks you to book ahead or warns that seats sell out. Each card says what the operator posts about tickets.
Best for under-3s: Santa Train, Under 3 free on a lap. 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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