Nov13to Dec 23
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Galveston Railroad Museum · Galveston, TX · about 35 miles away
- Time
- Evenings; see the ticket page
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Sensory-friendly rides Tuesday, Dec 15 at 5:30 and 7:15 p.m.
Christmas trains 2026Houston · Space City
Christmas train rides near Houston, 2026.
We found three Christmas trains within a drive of Houston with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride and two holiday lights trains. The closest, The Christmas Train in Alvin, is about 25 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.
13NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Polar Express · to Dec 23 · Galveston, TX · about 35 miles away21NovSatKiddie Train at Holiday in the GardensLights train · to Jan 2 · Galveston, TX · about 50 miles away27NovFriThe Christmas TrainLights train · to Dec 23 · Alvin, TX · about 25 miles away
Polar Express · to Dec 23 · Galveston, TX · about 35 miles away21NovSatKiddie Train at Holiday in the GardensLights train · to Jan 2 · Galveston, TX · about 50 miles away27NovFriThe Christmas TrainLights train · to Dec 23 · Alvin, TX · about 25 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Houston
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov21to Jan 2
Kiddie Train at Holiday in the Gardens
Moody Gardens · Galveston, TX · about 50 miles away
- Time
- Holiday Pass valid after 4 p.m.; Holiday Lights nightly 6–10 p.m.
- Ages
- Riders 48 inches and under
- Price
- One ride is included with the Holiday Pass
- Tickets
- Buy the Holiday Pass on the Moody Gardens site
Good to know: A short ride through part of the Holiday Lights Trail with festive music; the pass also covers ICE LAND and the lights trail.
Nov27to Dec 23
The Christmas Train
Victory Camp · Alvin, TX · about 25 miles away
- When
- Nov 27–28, Dec 4–5, Dec 10–12, then nightly Dec 14–23
- Time
- 6–10 p.m. Fri, Sat, Sun and Dec 21–23; 6–9 p.m. Dec 10 and 14–17
- Ages
- 2 and under ride free
- Price
- $12.50 online; $15 on peak dates (Dec 5, 12, 19 and 21–23)
- Tickets
- Tickets go on sale Nov 1 in 30-minute blocks; sold-out times are full
Good to know: Open-air coaches roll through thousands of lights. Park entry and parking are free.
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a trainBefore 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 Houston
November: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in HoustonFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in HoustonFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in HoustonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in HoustonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in HoustonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in HoustonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in HoustonKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in HoustonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in HoustonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in HoustonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in HoustonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in HoustonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Houston: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Galveston, TX · about 35 miles away: Nov 13 – Dec 23.
Kiddie Train at Holiday in the Gardens (Galveston, TX · about 50 miles away): Nov 21 – Jan 2, One ride is included with the Holiday Pass. The Christmas Train (Alvin, TX · about 25 miles away): Next: Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5 and 13 more, $12.50 online; $15 on peak dates (Dec 5, 12, 19 and 21–23).
Many do. One of the three 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.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Houston that weekend, holiday trains included.
