We found four Christmas trains within a drive of Seattle with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride, two Santa trains and one model-train holiday display. The closest, Winterfest Winter Train and Village, is in Seattle. 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 70 miles away27NovFriWinterfest Winter Train and Village
Model trains · to Dec 31 · Seattle, WA28NovSatSanta TrainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 miles away4DecFriYuletide ExpressSanta train · to Dec 18 · Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 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 70 miles away
Northwest Railway Museum · Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 miles away
Northwest Railway Museum · Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 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 trainModel trains
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
Seattle Center Armory · Seattle, WA
Good to know: Kids can take a turn running the train between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
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 SeattleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in SeattleEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in SeattleFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in SeattleFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in SeattleIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in SeattleBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in SeattleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in SeattleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in SeattleKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in SeattleParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in SeattleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in SeattleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in SeattleWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in SeattleDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Chehalis, WA · about 70 miles away: Nov 14 – Dec 20. Price: $69 per person; parlor $498, dining room $664. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Santa Train (Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 4 more. Yuletide Express (Snoqualmie, WA · about 25 miles away): Fri Dec 4, Fri Dec 11 and Fri Dec 18.
Winterfest Winter Train and Village at Seattle Center Armory: Nov 27 – Dec 31, Free; donations welcome.
Many do. One of the four 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 Seattle that weekend, holiday trains included.
