We found three Christmas trains within a drive of Stockton–Modesto with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides and one holiday lights train. The closest, Train of Lights in Fremont and Sunol, is about 45 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 21 · Sacramento, CA · about 48 miles from Stockton27NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 20 · Jamestown, CA · about 50 miles from Modesto20NovFriTrain of LightsLights train · to Dec 30 · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 45 miles from Stockton · 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 · about 48 miles from Stockton
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park · Jamestown, CA · about 50 miles from Modesto
Niles Canyon Railway · Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 45 miles from Stockton
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 StocktonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in StocktonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in StocktonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Thanksgiving weekend in StocktonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in StocktonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in StocktonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
This week in StocktonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Sacramento, CA · about 48 miles from Stockton: 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 50 miles from Modesto: Nov 27 – Dec 20. Price: Coach $85 per person. Book ahead: the operator sells these as timed tickets or warns they sell out.
Train of Lights (Fremont (Niles) and Sunol, CA · about 45 miles from Stockton): 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. Every one on this page 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 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 Stockton that weekend, holiday trains included.
