We found five Christmas trains within a drive of Portland with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides and three Santa trains. The closest, Holiday Express, is in Portland. 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 20 · Chehalis, WA · about 80 miles away20NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Jan 2 · Hood River, OR · about 50 miles away27NovFriCandy Cane ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Garibaldi, OR · about 60 miles away27NovFriHoliday ExpressSanta train · to Dec 27 · Portland, OR (SE Portland)28NovSatChristmas Santa TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Yacolt, WA · about 30 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.
Chehalis-Centralia Railroad · Chehalis, WA · about 80 miles away
Mount Hood Railroad · Hood River, OR · about 50 miles away
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad · Garibaldi, OR · about 60 miles away
Oregon Rail Heritage Center · Portland, OR (SE Portland)
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad · Yacolt, WA · about 30 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 trainBefore 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 PortlandEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PortlandEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PortlandFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in PortlandIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PortlandBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PortlandHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in PortlandParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in PortlandKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in PortlandParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in PortlandBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in PortlandChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in PortlandWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in PortlandDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Chehalis, WA · about 80 miles away: Nov 14 – Dec 20. Price: $69 per person; parlor $498, dining room $664. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Hood River, OR · about 50 miles away: Nov 20 – Jan 2. Price: Adults (13+) $59–$109, kids 2–12 from $49, depending on day and car. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Candy Cane Express (Garibaldi, OR · about 60 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. Holiday Express (Portland, OR (SE Portland)): Nov 27 – Dec 27. Christmas Santa Train (Yacolt, WA · about 30 miles away): Nov 28 – Dec 20.
Many do. One of the five 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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Portland that weekend, holiday trains included.
