It’s the time of the year for your little train engineer to enjoy holiday trains in and around Washington, DC, this holiday season. Many of the trains featured in the DC Area Moms’ Trains to See and Trains to Ride: The Ultimate Guide to Trains in the Washington, DC Area offer special holiday events. Our favorites are listed below.
9 Amazing Holiday Train Experiences
1. Holly TrolleyFest at the National Capital Trolley Museum
1313 Bonifant Rd., Colesville, MD
Take a streetcar ride with Santa at the National Capital Trolley Museum’s Holly TrolleyFest on November 30- December 1, December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. Reservations are required for ticketed admissions every 30 minutes from 11 am through 5 pm. A ride is also available on December 20th with admission from 10 am through 3 pm. Purchase tickets starting November 1!
The Museum is open for the Holly TrolleyFest. Tickets include one trolley ride. (Adults $12.75, Kids 2-17 $10.75, Under 2 free). Ride the Street Cars, Visit Santa, and see the Winter Garden Railway.
2. B&O Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD
A true gem year-round, the B&O Railroad Museum is also the Grand Dame of holiday trains. The Polar Express Train Ride is from November 29-30 & December 1, 6-8, 12-15 and 18-22, 2024 at various times from 10 am to 7 pm. Tickets range from $70-$110.
B&O also offers the Holiday Festival of Trains. Kids can take a ride on the Reindeer Railway on November 22-27, December 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23, and 26-31. The museum will be open 10 am through 4 pm. Tickets cost $28 for Adults and $18 for Children (2-12).
3. The Polar Express at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD
Go on a 1-hour Polar Express journey to The North Pole with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad on December 8th, 9th, & 10th departing from Frostburg Station OR take a steam powered train on December 8th, 9th, 10th, & 18th – 24th. Inspired by the classic children’s book The Polar Express, get your golden ticket punched by the conductor, sip hot chocolate and cookies in your pajamas on your way to The North Pole, and go home with a silver sleigh bell from Santa. Advanced tickets (starting at $40) are required and available online. Children 2 and under are FREE! There are several options for the experience like coach class, deluxe class, table car class, lounge class, and dome class.
*This is what they did last year but we are waiting on dates due to their steam locomotive being down for repairs. Stay tuned for updates!
4. The North Pole Express at Potomac Eagle
Join Mrs. Claus for milk, cookies, and caroling on a journey to meet Santa on The North Pole Express at Potomac Eagle on a 75 minute train ride. Book November 15-16, 22-24, 29-30 December 1, 6-8, 13-23. Experience the magic of the Christmas season as Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad presents “Yes, West Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” “The Potomac Eagle Saves Christmas,” and characters from “The Nutcracker.”
Availability varies by date but generally is at 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm. General tickets are Adults $57, Kids (2-12) $47, and lap children under 2 are free—but need a ticket. First Class tickets are Adults $67, Kids (2-12) $57, and lap children under 2 are free—but need a ticket.
5. U.S. Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC
The U.S. Botanic Garden will display their holiday trains outside again for all of us to enjoy. The display featuring the monuments will be inside. The holiday display will run from November 28 through January 5, 2025. This is FREE and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm indoors or outside in the garden.
6. Virginia Railway Express
1500 King Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA
Back this year, the VRE’s Santa Train is an incredible trip for just $5! This one-day excursion on December 9th, you won’t want to miss it! Tickets are available the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 27th) at 10 am (and sell out!).
*This is what they did last year but we’re still waiting on the schedule and ticket information to be made available. Stay tuned for updates!
7. Northern Central Railway of York
2 West Main Street, New Freedom, PA
The Northern Central Railway offers several experiences this fall and winter. Hop aboard the Santa Express at various times December 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22. Tickets are $39.99 for adults age 13 years and older and $26.99 for children ages 2-12. Or enjoy the Christmas Elves Express on November 29-30 and December 1 only at various times. Or enjoy Fall Foliage Excursions NOW!
8. Walkersville Southern Santa Train
34 West Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville, MD 21793
The Walkersville Southern Railroad offers an adorable Santa Train Experience November 29-30 and December 3, 7-8 at 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 4 pm. Tickets are requried and must be purchased in advance. Enjoy a Winter Express Train ride with Santa and Friends with the Ice Queen and Ice Princess on December 14 & 15 at 11 am, 1:30 pm and 4 pm. New this year, ride on December 21 and 22 for the Holiday Spectacular to enjoy a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” and classic carols. Get tickets here!
9. Christmas at Strasburg Railroad
The Strasburg Railroad creates several train experiences for families to enjoy this holiday season. Santa Claus Limited runs Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays for the first three weeks of December. Santa Paradise Express is on weekends only in November and December as well as December 23 and 24. This experience offers a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a gift from Santa, a cookie, hot chocolate, and an atmosphere of fun with decor and musicians. The Night Before Christmas experience recreates “The Night Before Christmas” Poem. Santa is not aboard, but everyone gets milk and a cookie!
While not on a train, enjoy a Christmas Feast with Mrs. Claus in the Lefever Hall! Following a 5pm Santa Paradise Express ride, join Mrs. Claus at 6pm for a family-style dinner.
Enjoy these fantastic holiday train experiences with your kids and please tag us @dcmoms on Instagram!
