Christmas trains 2026Los Angeles · City of Angels

Christmas train rides near Los Angeles, 2026.

We found three Christmas trains within a drive of Los Angeles with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride and two zoo or park holiday trains. The closest, North Pole Railway at Travel Town, is in Los Angeles. Each card has the dates, times, the ages it suits, the price as the operator lists it and whether you need to book ahead.

The quick answersChecked
Is there a Polar Express ride?THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Perris, CA (2201 S. A St) · about 70 miles away: from Nov 11.1 rideWhere’s the Santa train?No 2026 Santa train posted near here yet.Not yetDo I need to book?1 of 3 ask you to book ahead or warn they sell out.Book early

Last checked · 3 trains · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every Christmas train, by first date

Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.

11NovWedTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 31 · Perris, CA (2201 S. A St) · about 70 miles away27NovFriChristmas Train and Santa's VillageZoo & park train · to Dec 23 · Orange, CA · about 35 miles away27NovFriNorth Pole Railway at Travel TownZoo & park train · to Dec 24 · Los Angeles, CA (Travel Town, Griffith Park)

Train rides

Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near LA

Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.

Nov11to Dec 31

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

Southern California Railway Museum · Perris, CA (2201 S. A St) · about 70 miles away

Polar Express
When
Select dates Nov 11–Dec 31 (no rides Thanksgiving or Christmas Day); see the official schedule
Time
Departures from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; arrive about 60 minutes before showtime
Ages
Child tickets ages 2–11
Price
Value $49.25 child / $56.25 adult; Standard $67.25 / $74.25; Premium $81.25 / $88.25 (fees included)
Tickets
Parking passes are $6 per vehicle; a sensory-friendly ride runs Tuesday, Nov 24

Good to know: An hour-long ride with a reading of the book, hot chocolate, carols and Santa handing out the first gift of Christmas.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 23

Christmas Train and Santa's Village

Irvine Park Railroad, Irvine Regional Park · Orange, CA · about 35 miles away

Zoo & park train
Time
Daily; extended hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Dec 14
Ages
Under 24 months free
Price
Park entry $3–$7 per car
Tickets
Reservations required; tickets go on sale online Nov 2 at 10 a.m.
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 24

North Pole Railway at Travel Town

Travel Town Museum, Griffith Park · Los Angeles, CA (Travel Town, Griffith Park)

Zoo & park train
When
Select nights Nov 27–Dec 24
Time
Times are set by ticket; the site hasn’t posted nightly hours
Ages
Not listed
Price
Tickets from $19.99; the VIP ticket adds a photo with Santa, a miniature train ride and a faster line
Tickets
Online only, no walk-up sales; tickets go on sale Nov 4 at noon

Good to know: You sit in a real train car at Travel Town while animated scenery and special effects carry you to the North Pole outside the windows.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know one we missed?Send us the railroad’s or venue’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a train

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 LA

November: things to do in LAEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in LAEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in LAFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in LAIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in LABaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in LAHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in LAParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in LAKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in LAParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in LABallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in LAChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in LAWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in LADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas trains near Los Angeles: the FAQ

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Perris, CA (2201 S. A St) · about 70 miles away: Select dates Nov 11–Dec 31 (no rides Thanksgiving or Christmas Day); see the official schedule. Price: Value $49.25 child / $56.25 adult; Standard $67.25 / $74.25; Premium $81.25 / $88.25 (fees included).

Christmas Train and Santa's Village (Orange, CA · about 35 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23, Park entry $3–$7 per car. North Pole Railway at Travel Town (Los Angeles, CA (Travel Town, Griffith Park)): Select nights Nov 27–Dec 24, Tickets from $19.99; the VIP ticket adds a photo with Santa, a miniature train ride and a faster line.

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 LA that weekend, holiday trains included.

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