We found five Christmas trains within a drive of Louisville with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, three Santa trains and one model-train holiday display. The closest, North Pole Express in New Haven, is about 40 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 50 miles away13NovFriHoliday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Model trains · to Jan 4 · Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) · about 90 miles away28NovSatSanta's Holiday ExpressSanta train · to Dec 13 · Versailles, KY · about 60 miles away5DecSatNorth Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · New Haven, KY · about 40 miles away5DecSatSanta Claus ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · New Haven, KY · about 40 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 50 miles away
Bluegrass Railroad Museum · Versailles, KY · about 60 miles away
Kentucky Railway Museum · New Haven, KY · about 40 miles away
Kentucky Railway Museum · New Haven, KY · about 40 miles away
Model 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 90 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 LouisvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in LouisvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in LouisvilleFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in LouisvilleIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in LouisvilleBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in LouisvilleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in LouisvilleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in LouisvilleKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in LouisvilleParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in LouisvilleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in LouisvilleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in LouisvilleWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in LouisvilleStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in LouisvilleDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in French Lick, IN · about 50 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.
Santa's Holiday Express (Versailles, KY · about 60 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 28, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12 and 1 more. North Pole Express (New Haven, KY · about 40 miles away): Next: Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13 and 2 more. Santa Claus Express (New Haven, KY · about 40 miles away): Next: Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13 and 2 more.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at Cincinnati Museum Center: Nov 13 – Jan 4, Included with museum admission.
Many do. Four of the five 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 Louisville that weekend, holiday trains included.
