THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

All aboard for holiday magic! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride returns to the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris from November 11 through December 31, 2026, bringing the beloved children’s book to life on a one-hour journey to meet Santa.

Once your family settles in, car hosts punch golden tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie, and the story is read aloud as the train rolls through the night. Santa and his helpers climb aboard to greet every passenger, and each guest receives a keepsake sleigh bell, the first gift of Christmas.

Kids are encouraged to wear warm pajamas just like the characters in the story, and a cozy jacket is smart since the boarding platform is not heated. Plan on about two hours for the full experience, and arrive roughly 60 minutes before departure to park and check in, because the box office closes at showtime and no one boards late. The train is wheelchair accessible, with limited wheelchair spaces in Car 4, and sensory-friendly departures run on Tuesday, November 24.

📅 Dates & Times

Select dates, Wednesday, November 11 – Thursday, December 31, 2026

Most Tuesdays through Fridays: 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Fridays, December 4, 11 and 18: 1:30, 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27–29) and December 21–30: 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Sensory-friendly departures: Tuesday, November 24, at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve, December 31: 1:30, 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

No rides on Mondays (except December 21 and 28), Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

See the official POLAR EXPRESS™ schedule for every departure.

📍 Venue

Southern California Railway Museum

2201 S. A Street

Perris, CA 92570

👨🏻‍👩🏻‍👦🏻‍👦🏻 Age Requirement

All ages are welcome.

Children under 2 ride free on an adult’s lap with a free infant ticket selected at checkout. Lap infants receive a sleigh bell but no treat or hot chocolate.

🎟️ Tickets/Price

This is a paid event. Prices include ticket fees and vary by departure.

Value: $56.25 adult, $49.25 child (ages 2–11)

Standard: $74.25 adult, $67.25 child (ages 2–11)

Premium: $88.25 adult, $81.25 child (ages 2–11)

Sensory-friendly departures use Standard pricing.

Buy THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride tickets

🍔 Food

Hot chocolate and Walker’s Shortbread are served on board. The shortbread contains wheat and milk and may contain tree nuts, and the hot chocolate contains milk. Alcohol is not allowed.

🚙 Parking

Parking costs $6 per vehicle. Buy it with your tickets, and your confirmation works as your parking pass.

🌐 Website Link

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Southern California

🧭 Directions

Click on "Google" on the map for directions.

📢 Disclaimer

Event listings are believed to be accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm all details with the event organizer before attending. FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings in our calendar. Some events have paid us to be on our events calendar, and some events contain an affiliate link.