Nov6to Dec 20
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council · Woonsocket, RI · about 60 miles away
- Time
- Weekends
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
Christmas trains 2026Hartford and New Haven · The Insurance Capital
Christmas train rides near Hartford and New Haven, 2026.
We found eight Christmas trains within a drive of Hartford and New Haven with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides, four Santa trains, one holiday lights train and one model-train holiday display. The closest, Santa Express in Thomaston, is about 20 miles out.
By date
Every Christmas train, by first date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
6NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Polar Express · to Dec 20 · Woonsocket, RI · about 60 miles away14NovSatHoliday Train Show
Model trains · to Jan 10 · Bronx, NY · about 90 miles away20NovFriNorth Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Essex, CT · about 30 miles away20NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 105 miles away27NovFriEdaville's Winter Wonderland train and lightsLights train · to Dec 27 · Carver, MA · about 100 miles away27NovFriSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Thomaston, CT · about 20 miles away27NovFriThe TinselinerSanta train · to Dec 19 · Adams, MA · about 65 miles away5DecSatRide With Santa on NJ TransitSanta train · 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. · Wayne, NJ · about 100 miles away · Sold out
Polar Express · to Dec 20 · Woonsocket, RI · about 60 miles away14NovSatHoliday Train ShowModel trains · to Jan 10 · Bronx, NY · about 90 miles away20NovFriNorth Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Essex, CT · about 30 miles away20NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 105 miles away27NovFriEdaville's Winter Wonderland train and lightsLights train · to Dec 27 · Carver, MA · about 100 miles away27NovFriSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Thomaston, CT · about 20 miles away27NovFriThe TinselinerSanta train · to Dec 19 · Adams, MA · about 65 miles away5DecSatRide With Santa on NJ TransitSanta train · 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. · Wayne, NJ · about 100 miles away · Sold outNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Hartford
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov20to Dec 23
North Pole Express
Essex Steam Train · Essex, CT · about 30 miles away
- Time
- Fri–Sun Nov 20–22 and 27–29, Tue–Sun Dec 1–20, plus Dec 22–23; trains from 2 to 8 p.m.
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Sold online only; all sales final
Nov20to Dec 23
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Cape Cod Central Railroad · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 105 miles away
- Time
- Usually 2 p.m. on weekends, plus 4:30 and 7 p.m.; about 90 minutes
- Ages
- Child fares for ages 3–12; lap babies ride with a paying adult
- Price
- Standard Class from $44 child / $54 adult; higher classes cost more
- Tickets
- 2026 tickets on sale now
Nov27to Dec 27
Edaville's Winter Wonderland train and lights
Edaville Family Theme Park · Carver, MA · about 100 miles away
- Time
- Fri–Sun evenings plus Dec 26–27; closed Christmas Day
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Online tickets strongly recommended; nights often sell out
Nov27to Dec 23
Santa Express
Railroad Museum of New England (Naugatuck Railroad) · Thomaston, CT · about 20 miles away
- Time
- 12 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Coach seat for two $70; Hi-Level and Premium Coach for two $130; lounges cost more
- Tickets
- No cancellations without trip protection; a sensory-friendly train runs Nov 29
Nov27to Dec 19
The Tinseliner
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (Hoosac Valley Explorer) · Adams, MA · about 65 miles away
- Time
- Two or three departures a day between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Book through the museum's FareHarbor calendar
Dec5Sat
Ride With Santa on NJ Transit
Tri-State Railway Historical Society · Wayne, NJ · about 100 miles away
- Time
- 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
- Ages
- Adult fare from age 12; under 2 free in a parent's arms
- Price
- $33 adults, $29 children
- Tickets
- All four trains sold out; waiting list open
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
Holiday model train displays near Hartford
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
Nov14to Jan 10
Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden · Bronx, NY · about 90 miles away
- Time
- Garden hours; evening hours on select nights
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Timed tickets
Good to know: Model trains run past nearly 200 New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts.
More to come.Model train shows often post late. We recheck every week through December.Email me when one’s addedBefore 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 Hartford
November: things to do in HartfordEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in HartfordEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in HartfordFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in HartfordIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in HartfordBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in HartfordHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in HartfordParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in HartfordKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in HartfordParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in HartfordBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in HartfordChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in HartfordWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in HartfordDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Hartford and New Haven: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Woonsocket, RI · about 60 miles away: Nov 6 – Dec 20. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Buzzards Bay, MA · about 105 miles away: Nov 20 – Dec 23. Price: Standard Class from $44 child / $54 adult; higher classes cost more.
North Pole Express (Essex, CT · about 30 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 23. Santa Express (Thomaston, CT · about 20 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. The Tinseliner (Adams, MA · about 65 miles away): Next: Fri Nov 27, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 2 more. Ride With Santa on NJ Transit (Wayne, NJ · about 100 miles away): Sat, Dec 5, 2026.
Edaville's Winter Wonderland train and lights (Carver, MA · about 100 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 27.
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden: Nov 14 – Jan 10.
Many do. Five of the eight 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 Hartford that weekend, holiday trains included.
