In 2026, holiday train listings near Minneapolis–St. Paul run Nov 7 through Feb 27, from $15. Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum starts Nov 7, tickets from $15. 4 and under free. CPKC Holiday Train at Union Depot at CPKC Holiday Train starts Dec 13. All ages.
By date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
Model trains · to Feb 27 · St. Paul, MN (668 Transfer Rd)13DecSunCPKC Holiday Train at Union DepotModel trains · 7–7:30 p.m. · St. Paul, MN (Union Depot, 214 E 4th St)14DecMonCPKC Holiday Train in MinneapolisModel trains · 8:15–8:45 p.m. · Minneapolis, MN (37th Ave & Stinson Blvd)14DecMonCPKC Holiday Train in St. Louis ParkModel trains · 6:15–6:45 p.m. · St. Louis Park, MN (Lake St & Library Ln)Nothing matches that filter yet.
What to know
Each line is copied from that operator’s page. When they have not posted a price, the line says so.
Night Trains (Nov 7 through Feb 27, St. Paul, MN (668 Transfer Rd)). Ages: 4 and under free. Tickets: $15 per guest.
CPKC Holiday Train at Union Depot (Dec 13, St. Paul, MN (Union Depot, 214 E 4th St)). Ages: All ages. Tickets: CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost.
CPKC Holiday Train in Minneapolis (Dec 14, Minneapolis, MN (37th Ave & Stinson Blvd)). Ages: All ages. Tickets: CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost.
CPKC Holiday Train in St. Louis Park (Dec 14, St. Louis Park, MN (Lake St & Library Ln)). Ages: All ages. Tickets: CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost.
Train rides
Dates, ride length, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
No 2026 holiday train ride near here has posted its dates yet. We check operators every week through December.
Model trains
Most let you walk through at your own pace, so you can stay as long as little ones are interested.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum · St. Paul, MN (668 Transfer Rd)
Good to know: The layouts run with the room lights down. Santa visits Dec 12 and 19.
CPKC Holiday Train · St. Paul, MN (Union Depot, 214 E 4th St)
Good to know: CPKC's lit-up Holiday Train pulls in for a short outdoor stage show. Allen Stone play this stop.
CPKC Holiday Train · Minneapolis, MN (37th Ave & Stinson Blvd)
Good to know: CPKC's lit-up Holiday Train pulls in for a short outdoor stage show. Allen Stone play this stop.
CPKC Holiday Train · St. Louis Park, MN (Lake St & Library Ln)
Good to know: CPKC's lit-up Holiday Train pulls in for a short outdoor stage show. Allen Stone play this stop.
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 little kids. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
November: things to do in Twin CitiesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Twin CitiesEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Twin CitiesFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in Twin CitiesFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in Twin CitiesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Twin CitiesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in Twin CitiesHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Sledding in Twin CitiesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rules
Thanksgiving weekend in Twin CitiesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in Twin CitiesKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in Twin CitiesParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Twin CitiesBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Twin CitiesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas tree farms in Twin CitiesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Twin CitiesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in Twin CitiesWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in Twin CitiesStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth soccer and basketball in Twin CitiesSoccer and basketball for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Minneapolis–St. Paul this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Not one we could confirm with 2026 dates on an official page. We add one as soon as an operator posts its dates.
Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum: Nov 7 – Feb 27, $15 per guest. CPKC Holiday Train at Union Depot at CPKC Holiday Train: Sun Dec 13, CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost. CPKC Holiday Train in Minneapolis at CPKC Holiday Train: Mon Dec 14, CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost. CPKC Holiday Train in St. Louis Park at CPKC Holiday Train: Mon Dec 14, CPKC's schedule doesn't list a cost.
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.
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