Nov21to Dec 24
Santa's Paradise Express
Strasburg Rail Road · Strasburg, PA · about 85 miles away
- Time
- Weekends Nov 21–Dec 20, plus Nov 27 and Dec 21–24
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- $47.70 adults, $37.10 children
Christmas trains 2026Washington, DC · The District
Christmas train rides near Washington, DC, 2026.
We found seven Christmas trains within a drive of Washington, DC with 2026 dates posted: one Polar Express ride and six Santa trains. The closest, Holly TrolleyFest, is in Colesville. Each card has the dates, times, the ages it suits, the price as the operator lists it and whether you need to book ahead.
The quick answersChecked
Is there a Polar Express ride?THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Baltimore, MD · about 35 miles away: from Nov 28.1 rideWhere’s the Santa train?Santa's Paradise Express: from Nov 21. Plus 5 more.6 trainsDo I need to book?Check each card for what the operator says about tickets.Check
By date
Every Christmas train, by first date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
21NovSatSanta's Paradise Express
Santa train · to Dec 24 · Strasburg, PA · about 85 miles away28NovSatBreakfast with Santa trainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Woodstown, NJ · about 105 miles away28NovSatCandy Cane ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · Stewartstown, PA · about 65 miles away28NovSatHolly TrolleyFestSanta train · to Dec 23 · Colesville, MD28NovSatSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Staunton, VA · about 80 miles away28NovSatTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 22 · Baltimore, MD · about 35 miles away7DecMonSanta Railway Express to Old Town ManassasSanta train · to Dec 21 · Alexandria, VA
Santa train · to Dec 24 · Strasburg, PA · about 85 miles away28NovSatBreakfast with Santa trainSanta train · to Dec 20 · Woodstown, NJ · about 105 miles away28NovSatCandy Cane ExpressSanta train · to Dec 20 · Stewartstown, PA · about 65 miles away28NovSatHolly TrolleyFestSanta train · to Dec 23 · Colesville, MD28NovSatSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Staunton, VA · about 80 miles away28NovSatTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 22 · Baltimore, MD · about 35 miles away7DecMonSanta Railway Express to Old Town ManassasSanta train · to Dec 21 · Alexandria, VANothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near DC
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov28to Dec 20
Breakfast with Santa train
Woodstown Central Railroad · Woodstown, NJ · about 105 miles away
- Time
- Saturdays and Sundays
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- $245 per table for four
Nov28to Dec 20
Candy Cane Express
Stewartstown Railroad · Stewartstown, PA · about 65 miles away
- Time
- Daytime trains; evening trains Dec 5 and 20
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- $19–$67
Nov28to Dec 23
Holly TrolleyFest
National Capital Trolley Museum · Colesville, MD
- Time
- Saturdays and Sundays
- Ages
- Child rate for ages 2–13
- Price
- $15 per person
Good to know: Santa and Mrs. Claus visit; trolley rides included
Nov28to Dec 23
Santa Express
Virginia Scenic Railway · Staunton, VA · about 80 miles away
- Time
- Not listed
- Ages
- 2 and under free on a lap
- Price
- About $51–$76 per person
Nov28to Dec 22
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
B&O Railroad Museum (National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation) · Baltimore, MD · about 35 miles away
- Time
- Trains between 2:30 and 9:30 p.m.; about two hours with the North Pole stop
- Ages
- Everyone 2 and up needs a ticket; under 2 ride as lap infants
- Price
- Bronze $60–$70 adult, $50–$60 child; Silver $80–$95; Gold $105–$125
- Tickets
- Tickets on sale now; non-refundable
Dec7to 21
Santa Railway Express to Old Town Manassas
Whistle Stop Hobbies · Alexandria, VA
- Time
- Not listed
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- $29.99 per ticket
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
Three things that make train day easier
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
More for little kids in DC
November: things to do in DCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in DCEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in DCFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in DCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in DCBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in DCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in DCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in DCKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in DCParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in DCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in DCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in DCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in DCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Washington, DC: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Baltimore, MD · about 35 miles away: Next: Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 6 more. Price: Bronze $60–$70 adult, $50–$60 child; Silver $80–$95; Gold $105–$125.
Santa's Paradise Express (Strasburg, PA · about 85 miles away): Nov 21 – Dec 24. Breakfast with Santa train (Woodstown, NJ · about 105 miles away): Nov 28 – Dec 20. Candy Cane Express (Stewartstown, PA · about 65 miles away): Next: Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 1 more. Holly TrolleyFest (Colesville, MD): Nov 28 – Dec 23. Plus two more on this page.
None on this page warns about it right now. 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.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in DC that weekend, holiday trains included.
