We found six Christmas trains within a drive of Sacramento with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides, two Santa trains and two holiday lights trains. The closest, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, is in Sacramento. 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 21 · Sacramento, CA27NovFriHoliday Lights TrainLights train · to Dec 23 · Santa Cruz, CA · about 110 miles away27NovFriMagical Christmas TrainSanta train · to Dec 24 · West Sacramento, CA · about 10 miles away27NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 20 · Jamestown, CA · about 75 miles away6DecSunSanta's Whistlestop AdventureSanta train · to Dec 21 · Folsom, CA · about 22 miles away20NovFriTrain of LightsLights train · to Dec 30 · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 70 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.
California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento · Sacramento, CA
Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk · Santa Cruz, CA · about 110 miles away
River Fox Train, 18095 County Road 117 · West Sacramento, CA · about 10 miles away
Good to know: A one-hour round trip through the Yolo countryside. Elves help kids write letters to Santa, everyone gets hot chocolate and a cookie, and Santa walks through every car. Santa's Village at Elkhorn Station is open before and after rides, and parking is free.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park · Jamestown, CA · about 75 miles away
Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad, Oak Station, 700 Oak Avenue Parkway · Folsom, CA · about 22 miles away
Good to know: A short motorcar ride to Santa's Whistlestop at Willow Springs, next to Willow Creek. Families can stay as long as they like, and most visits run 60 to 90 minutes. The station is a pop-up tent by the tracks in the Folsom Family Fitness lot near Oak Avenue Parkway and East Bidwell.
Niles Canyon Railway · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 70 miles away
Before 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 SacramentoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in SacramentoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in SacramentoFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in SacramentoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in SacramentoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in SacramentoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in SacramentoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in SacramentoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in SacramentoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in SacramentoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in SacramentoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in SacramentoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in SacramentoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Sacramento, CA: Nov 13 – Dec 21. Price: Coach $80–$85, First Class $100–$110 per passenger; tables of four $320–$440. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Jamestown, CA · about 75 miles away: Nov 27 – Dec 20. Price: Coach $85 per person. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Magical Christmas Train (West Sacramento, CA · about 10 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 24. Santa's Whistlestop Adventure (Folsom, CA · about 22 miles away): Dec 6 – Dec 21.
Holiday Lights Train (Santa Cruz, CA · about 110 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. Train of Lights (Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 70 miles away): Next: Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22, Mon Nov 23 and 20 more, $40 general seating, ages 3 and up.
Many do. Four of the six 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 30, 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 Sacramento that weekend, holiday trains included.
