Nov6to Dec 24
Santa's Lighted Forest
Georgetown Loop Railroad · Georgetown, CO · about 40 miles away
- Time
- Evening trains
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
Christmas trains 2026Denver · Mile High City
Christmas train rides near Denver, 2026.
We found four Christmas trains within a drive of Denver with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, two Santa trains and one holiday lights train. The closest, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, is in Golden. 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.
6NovFriSanta's Lighted Forest
Lights train · to Dec 24 · Georgetown, CO · about 40 miles away6NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Golden, CO14NovSatHoliday ExpressSanta train · to Jan 11 · Leadville, CO · about 75 miles away19NovThuSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 30 · Cañon City, CO · about 90 miles away
Lights train · to Dec 24 · Georgetown, CO · about 40 miles away6NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Golden, CO14NovSatHoliday ExpressSanta train · to Jan 11 · Leadville, CO · about 75 miles away19NovThuSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 30 · Cañon City, CO · about 90 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Denver
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov6to Dec 23
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Colorado Railroad Museum · Golden, CO
- Time
- Three shows each evening, 5 to 8 p.m.; several nights a week at first, daily after Thanksgiving
- Ages
- All ages; lap riders under 2 free
- Price
- $80 ages 2–15, $100 ages 16 and up; First Class $475 per table of four
- Tickets
- The museum says it has sold out in advance every year since 2020
Nov14to Jan 11
Holiday Express
Leadville Railroad · Leadville, CO · about 75 miles away
- Time
- Daily departures
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- From $80
- Tickets
- On sale now; the railroad says to book early
Nov19to Dec 30
Santa Express
Royal Gorge Route Railroad · Cañon City, CO · about 90 miles away
- Time
- Several departures a day on select dates
- Ages
- Child fares for ages 1–12
- Price
- Coach $99 adult / $94 child off-peak, $114 / $104 peak; Deluxe and Vista Dome cost more
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 Denver
November: things to do in DenverEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in DenverEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in DenverFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in DenverFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in DenverIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in DenverBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in DenverHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in DenverParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in DenverKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in DenverParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in DenverBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in DenverChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in DenverWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in DenverDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Denver: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Golden, CO: Nov 6 – Dec 23. Price: $80 ages 2–15, $100 ages 16 and up; First Class $475 per table of four. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Holiday Express (Leadville, CO · about 75 miles away): Nov 14 – Jan 11. Santa Express (Cañon City, CO · about 90 miles away): Nov 19 – Dec 30.
Santa's Lighted Forest (Georgetown, CO · about 40 miles away): Nov 6 – Dec 24.
Many do. Two of the four 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 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 Denver that weekend, holiday trains included.
