We found four Christmas trains within a drive of Greensboro–Winston-Salem with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, two Santa trains and one holiday lights train. The closest, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Spencer, is about 35 miles out.
By date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Polar Express · to Dec 23 · Spencer, NC · about 35 miles away27NovFriTweetsie Christmas trainLights train · to Dec 30 · Blowing Rock, NC · about 95 miles away5DecSatSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 19 · New Hill, NC · about 65 miles away10DecThuThe Carolina Christmas TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Aberdeen, NC · about 70 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
North Carolina Transportation Museum · Spencer, NC · about 35 miles away
Good to know: Runs Nov 6–8, 13–15, 20–22, 27–29 and Dec 4–6, 10–23
Tweetsie Railroad · Blowing Rock, NC · about 95 miles away
Good to know: Evenings Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–23 and 26–30
New Hope Valley Railway (NC Railway Museum) · New Hill, NC · about 65 miles away
Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway · Aberdeen, NC · about 70 miles away
Before 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 toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in TriadEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in TriadEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in TriadFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in TriadIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in TriadBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in TriadParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in TriadParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in TriadBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
This week in TriadDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Spencer, NC · about 35 miles away: Nov 6 – Dec 23.
Santa Express (New Hill, NC · about 65 miles away): Next: Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13 and 1 more. The Carolina Christmas Train (Aberdeen, NC · about 70 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 95 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 30, $65 adults, $45 ages 3–12.
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.
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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Triad that weekend, holiday trains included.
