Christmas and the holiday season are all about making memories and holiday magic. I remember only a few of the gifts I received as a child (the big ones, like a mountain bike and my very own video camera to make home movies) but I have so many memories of fragrances, baking, picking out and decorating the tree, Christmas music filling the house, driving around to see Christmas lights, and building gingerbread houses. It's these experiences that make Christmas magical.
A special Polar Express train ride is one experience that many families enjoy at Christmas. Below is our guide to all the Polar Express train rides (both moving and stationary) that we could find in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and beyond, plus other holiday train options that aren't specifically about the Polar Express story.
Please note that many of these rides cannot use the term "Polar Express" (due to licensing) so keep this in mind when telling your children about your upcoming adventure, to avoid disappointment. Be prepared for a fantastic holiday experience with Santa, elves, hot chocolate, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and even silver bells, but the train staff may not specifically perform Polar Express songs.
Note, most of the single date rides sell out quickly. If they're already sold out, sign up for their email list and be sure to jump quickly when you receive the email next year.
Get our free weekly email newsletter that includes Top Pick local family events for the week, local resources, and guides to local holiday events and activities such as holiday parades, tree lightings, visits with Santa, holiday festivals and concerts and much more! SIGN UP HERE!
Recurring Rides (Run Frequently During the Holiday Season)
Edaville, Carver MA
Edaville will be running the Festival of Lights Spectacular with themed train rides, entertainment, a holiday marketplace, and more than 100,000 lights from November 28 to December 28, 2025. Tickets for 2025 events will go on sale September 1.
- Festival of Lights: Train ride, Christmas lights, food, vendors and crafters, and Santa.
- North Pole Limited: Train ride, Christmas lights, hot chocolate and cookies, elves and Santa on the train.
- Santa's VIP Express: Train ride, Christmas lights, milk or juice and a cookie, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, Buzzards Bay MA
Cape Cod Central Railroad is running an official Polar Express train ride this year! The fun includes golden tickets, dancing chefs and waiters, a reading of The Polar Express, a gift from Santa, and cocoa and cookies. Available Fridays to Sundays from November 21 to December 7, and Thursdays to Tuesdays from December 11 to December 23. Now booking for 2025 rides.
Journey to the North Pole™, North Conway NH
Departs from North Conway or Lincoln NH weekends and selected weekdays beginning November 28 through December 23. This Conway Scenic Railroad adventure includes a train ride with treats and hot chocolate plus a theater visit to meet Santa, hear The Night Before Christmas, and sing Christmas songs. Trains depart at 4:30pm and 7:00pm from both locations. New for 2025, train seats are now assigned; choose your seats when you purchase your tickets. Now booking for 2025 rides.
Santa's Holiday Express, North Conway NH
As of August 2025, it appears that this holiday train ride will not run in 2025.
Journey on the Conway Scenic Railroad with Santa and his elves! Weekends in late November and December and daily the week before Christmas at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. This is a shorter holiday train ride than the Journey to the North Pole and does not include the theater visit.
Santa Express Train, Lincoln NH
Enjoy a special holiday excursion on this 60-minute train ride. Some options include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Train runs on weekends from late November to mid-December. Now booking for 2025 rides.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Blackstone Valley, Woonsocket RI
An official Polar Express™ train ride, this 90-minute ride includes a reading of The Polar Express, sing-a-longs, cookies, hot chocolate, games, a golden ticket, and a silver bell gift. Weekends from November 7 to December 21 with shows at 3:30 PM & 6:30 PM. Now booking for 2025 rides.
North Pole Express, Essex CT
Enjoy festive sing-a-longs, hot chocolate and cookies, and Santa and Mrs. Claus during this 90-minute train ride. Children receive a small gift from Santa. Rides run from November 13 to December 23, starting at 2 pm on weekends and 4 pm on weekdays. Now booking for 2025 rides.
Single-Event Rides (Sell Out Quickly!)
Jolly Jingle Express, Woburn MA
The Jolly Jingle Express is presented by the Wakefield Music Boosters as a fundraiser. Join Santa and his elves for a fun-filled on a 70-minute train ride from Anderson Station in Woburn on an MBTA commuter rail train! Trains depart at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Cookies and milk will be served. The 2025 train ride schedule has not been announced but is usually mid-December. Follow the Wakefield Music Boosters Facebook page for updates. This train ride sells out very quickly, so keep monitoring for the ticket sale date!
North Pole Express, Woburn MA
Presented by St. Augustine School on Saturday December 13, 2025. Santa and his elves will be on the train, handing out milk and cookies. Enjoy a Christmas story reading, sing Christmas carols, and receive a special gift from Santa. Children age 2 and under are free if they sit on their parent's lap. Now booking!
North Pole Express, Newburyport MA
Presented by the Immaculate Conception School, this 50-minute ride includes a reading of The Night Before Christmas, Santa, elves, cookies, songs, holiday characters and more. The show runs on December 6, 2024 at 9:30 AM. 11:30 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15 PM & 5:30 PM. Tickets for the 2025 event go on sale on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM ~ mark your calendar!
Not an Actual Train Ride But Still Fun!
Holly Jolly Trolley, Lowell MA
The City of Lights celebration takes place in Lowell on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 29). Jump on the Lowell National Historical Park's "Holly Jolly Trolley," complete with Ranger Elves, music, and holiday decorations! The trolley will run continuously from the Boott Cotton Mills from 12 to 3 PM. The last run will leave at 3 p.m. FREE event, no reservation required!
The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience at Jordan's Furniture, Avon MA
Update: The 4-D Experience did not operate in 2024 and, as of August, does not appear to be available in 2025.
Jordan's Furniture offers a viewing of a short version of The Polar Express in 4-D, with special effects, at the Jordan's Furniture MOM Theater in Avon. Customers are offered the chance to book tickets in advance.
The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience at the Museum of Science, Boston MA
Update: In 2025, the Museum of Science will be offering a 4-D version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from November 22 to January 3.
The Museum of Science offers a viewing of a short version of The Polar Express in 4-D, with special effects, at the Museum of Science's 4-D Theater. Attendance required purchase of a ticket to the Museum's exhibit halls and a separate timed ticket for the movie.
The Polar Express Guide is one of the most-visited articles on our site, year after year. If your business would like to sponsor this guide, with your business information prominently featured, please email us!
Macaroni KID Lowell is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the greater Lowell area.
We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve thousands of families in Lowell, Dracut, Chelmsford, Westford, Tyngsboro, Dunstable, Littleton, Groton, Billerica, Tewksbury, and other surrounding communities.
Subscribe today to receive our email newsletter every Wednesday!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Advertise with us to reach thousands of local families!
