We found 11 Christmas trains within a drive of Philadelphia with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides, eight Santa trains and one model-train holiday display. The closest, Breakfast with Santa train in Woodstown, 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
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Model trains · to Jan 10 · Bronx, NY · about 90 miles away21NovSatSanta Express
Santa train · to Dec 20 · Flemington, NJ · about 40 miles away21NovSatSanta's Paradise ExpressSanta train · to Dec 24 · Strasburg, PA · about 55 miles away27NovFriSanta Claus SpecialsSanta train · to Dec 24 · Jim Thorpe, PA · about 70 miles away27NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 20 · Phillipsburg, NJ · about 50 miles away28NovSatBreakfast with Santa trainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Woodstown, NJ · about 25 miles away28NovSatCandy Cane ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · Stewartstown, PA · about 75 miles away28NovSatSanta TrainsSanta train · to Dec 20 · Kutztown, PA · about 50 miles away28NovSatTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 22 · Baltimore, MD · about 90 miles away5DecSatSanta Claus ExpressSanta train · to Dec 6 · Kempton, PA · about 60 miles away5DecSatRide With Santa on NJ TransitSanta train · 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. · Wayne, NJ · about 85 miles away · Sold outNothing 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.
Black River & Western Railroad · Flemington, NJ · about 40 miles away
Strasburg Rail Road · Strasburg, PA · about 55 miles away
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway · Jim Thorpe, PA · about 70 miles away
Good to know: Runs Nov 27–30 and Dec 4–6, 11–13 and 18–24
Delaware River Railroad Excursions · Phillipsburg, NJ · about 50 miles away
Woodstown Central Railroad · Woodstown, NJ · about 25 miles away
Stewartstown Railroad · Stewartstown, PA · about 75 miles away
Allentown & Auburn Railroad · Kutztown, PA · about 50 miles away
B&O Railroad Museum (National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation) · Baltimore, MD · about 90 miles away
Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad · Kempton, PA · about 60 miles away
Tri-State Railway Historical Society · Wayne, NJ · about 85 miles away
Model trains
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
New York Botanical Garden · Bronx, NY · about 90 miles away
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
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 PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PhiladelphiaFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in PhiladelphiaFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in PhiladelphiaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PhiladelphiaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PhiladelphiaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in PhiladelphiaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in PhiladelphiaKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in PhiladelphiaParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in PhiladelphiaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in PhiladelphiaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in PhiladelphiaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhiladelphiaStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in PhiladelphiaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Phillipsburg, NJ · about 50 miles away: Next: Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Fri Dec 4 and 8 more. Price: $48 adults, $38 children (subject to change). THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Baltimore, MD · about 90 miles away: Next: Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 6 more. Price: Bronze $60–$70 adult, $50–$60 child; Silver $80–$95; Gold $105–$125.
Santa Express (Flemington, NJ · about 40 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28 and 8 more. Santa's Paradise Express (Strasburg, PA · about 55 miles away): Nov 21 – Dec 24. Santa Claus Specials (Jim Thorpe, PA · about 70 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 24. Breakfast with Santa train (Woodstown, NJ · about 25 miles away): Nov 28 – Dec 20. Plus four more on this page.
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden: Nov 14 – Jan 10.
Many do. Three of the 11 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 Philadelphia that weekend, holiday trains included.
