We found four Christmas trains within a drive of Indianapolis with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, two Santa trains and one model-train holiday display. The closest, Reindeer Express in Noblesville, is about 20 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
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Polar Express · to Dec 23 · French Lick, IN · about 90 miles away13NovFriHoliday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Model trains · to Jan 4 · Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) · about 100 miles away14NovSatReindeer ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Noblesville, IN · about 20 miles away21NovSatSanta TrainsSanta train · to Dec 19 · North Judson, IN · about 105 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.
French Lick Scenic Railway · French Lick, IN · about 90 miles away
Nickel Plate Express · Noblesville, IN · about 20 miles away
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum · North Judson, IN · 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 100 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 toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in IndyEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in IndyEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in IndyFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in IndyFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in IndyIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in IndyBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in IndyHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in IndyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in IndyKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in IndyParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in IndyBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in IndyChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in IndyWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Playgrounds in IndyParks with a playground, restrooms and shelters
Splash pads in IndySpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in IndyStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Summer camps in IndyCamps for ages 3–6 and when registration opens
This week in IndyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in French Lick, IN · about 90 miles away: Nov 6 – Dec 23. Price: $47–$107 on value dates, $52–$112 moderate, $57–$117 peak. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Reindeer Express (Noblesville, IN · about 20 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 and 15 more. Santa Trains (North Judson, IN · about 105 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 21, Sat Nov 28, Sat Dec 5, Sat Dec 12 and 1 more.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at Cincinnati Museum Center: Nov 13 – Jan 4, Included with museum admission.
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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Indy that weekend, holiday trains included.
