The Polar Express™ Train Ride

About this event

The National Railroad Museum is excited to host The Polar Express Train Ride™ on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 20 through December 13, 2026, and we’re inviting you to be a part of the magic! The Polar Express™ has become a time-honored holiday tradition for people throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The Polar Express™ is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story. Following the original book and movie, you will be immersed in the Polar Express™ story. When you arrive at the Museum, you enter our Lenfestey Center. Before the show, you are welcome to stroll among the decorated trees in the Festival of Trees, explore the full-size trains, or play Reindeer Games. The show begins with the Hot Chocolate Dance, after which we all sip a cup of hot chocolate. Next, we listen to a dramatic reading of the original Polar Express book. Our conductor then calls “All Aboard,” inviting guests outside to ride The Polar Express™ to the North Pole. Onboard a real, moving train, our adventure continues as you interact with the characters from the story. This is not a train ride where you will see holiday decorations every inch of the way – instead, we will travel through cold, dark forests, encounter a hobo, view the Northern Lights, and see polar bears in the Arctic Circle. Santa will visit with some of the passengers onboard the train. Once we arrive at the North Pole, those who did not visit with Santa on the train will have time to see him before he heads around the world on Christmas Eve. Click the Snowflake to Download & View Our 2026 Polar Express™ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Justin Lambrecht, Education Director: or

From National Railroad Museum