All Aboard! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Is Rolling Into Perris for 2026
Picture this: your kids in their coziest pajamas, golden tickets in hand, as a conductor calls "All aboard!" and a real train rolls off into the night. Hot cocoa arrives with a little dance, the story gets read aloud, and then Santa himself steps into your car. That is the magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Perris, and it's back for 2026.
The quick answer: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride runs on select dates from November 11 through December 31, 2026 at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris. Tickets cost $56.25 to $88.25 for adults and $49.25 to $81.25 for kids 2 to 11, fees included, and the whole visit takes about two hours.
Polar Express Train Ride Perris 2026: Key Takeaways
What: A one-hour live, theatrical train ride based on the classic book, with hot chocolate, a cookie, a story reading, Santa and a keepsake sleigh bell
When: Select dates, November 11 to December 31, 2026 (no rides on most Mondays, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day)
Where: Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 S. A Street, Perris, CA 92570
Tickets: Adults $56.25–$88.25, kids 2–11 $49.25–$81.25 (all-in pricing); under 2 ride free on a lap
Parking: $6 per vehicle, bought with your tickets
Arrive: About 60 minutes before your showtime; the box office closes at showtime
Where to buy: Online through the official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ ticket page
What Is THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Perris?
It's a live re-creation of Chris Van Allsburg's beloved story, performed by a cast of actors aboard a real train. Set to the movie soundtrack, the ride carries families on a one-hour round trip through the neighborhoods around Perris, with singing, dancing and plenty of audience interaction along the way.
Two things are different this year. Southern California now has just one Polar Express location: the Fillmore & Western Railway is no longer running excursions, so Perris is the only place to ride in SoCal. And there is no outdoor North Pole set in 2026. Santa still boards the train to greet every passenger, and the organizers say they've expanded the onboard show instead.
The ride is produced by Rail Events and hosted by the Southern California Railway Museum, about 20 minutes south of Riverside and roughly 75 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
What Happens on the Train
Golden Tickets and Hot Cocoa
Once you're seated, car hosts make their way down the aisle to punch everyone's golden ticket. Then the dancing chefs roll in with hot chocolate and a Walker's Shortbread cookie, just like the famous scene from the movie.
Story Time on the Rails
Next comes a read-aloud of the original picture book. Kids can follow along, and if your family wants its own copy, the official train ride edition of the book is sold through the event's online shop ahead of your trip.
Santa and the First Gift of Christmas
The big moment: Santa and his helpers board the train and visit each family. Every passenger receives the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell to take home. Even babies under 2 get a bell from Santa.
Caroling All the Way Back
On the return trip, the cast leads carols and holiday activities in every car. Seats are arranged theater-in-the-round, all facing the middle of the coach, so nobody misses the show.
2026 Dates and Departure Times
Times listed are official showtimes, which is when boarding begins. Here's the 2026 schedule from the official price calendar:
Weeknights in November (Nov. 11–13, 17–20, 24–25): 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
November weekends (Nov. 14–15, 21–22, 28–29): 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Black Friday (Nov. 27): 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday in December (Dec. 1–3, 8–10, 15–17): 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
December Fridays (Dec. 4, 11, 18): 1:30, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
December weekends (Dec. 5–6, 12–13, 19–20): 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Holiday break (Dec. 21–24 and 26–30): daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31): 1:30, 4 and 6 p.m.
No rides: Mondays Nov. 16, 23 and 30 and Dec. 7 and 14, plus Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and Christmas Day
Schedules can change, so double-check your date on the official 2026 price calendar before you book.
Polar Express Ticket Prices and Booking Tips
Prices depend on the departure you choose, not the experience. Every train runs the same show; quieter departures simply cost less.
Value: $56.25 adults, $49.25 kids 2–11 (mostly early-season weeknights and New Year's Eve)
Standard: $74.25 adults, $67.25 kids 2–11
Premium: $88.25 adults, $81.25 kids 2–11 (busiest slots, like Thanksgiving weekend and the week of Christmas)
Under 2: Free on an adult's lap, but you must add a free infant ticket with the child's name at checkout
Prices are all-in, so the ticket fees are already included. Seats are assigned, and you'll pick your exact seats online like you would on a plane. Because the train travels out and back on the same tracks, everyone rides forward half the time and backward the other half.
Active-duty military and first responders can save $5 per ticket on up to 10 tickets with promo code HERO5. The service member must attend and show a valid ID at check-in. You can buy up to 30 tickets per order, and there's no early access for groups.
Tickets are nonrefundable. Date or time changes may be possible depending on availability (and price differences), but the whole order has to move together.
Parent Tip: Early-season weeknights in mid-November carry the lowest prices and tend to be calmer. If your kids have school the next day, the 4 p.m. departure gets everyone home at a reasonable hour. The organizers expect tickets to sell out quickly, so check availability early if you have your heart set on a specific date.
Sensory-Friendly Train and Accessibility
A sensory-friendly train runs on Tuesday, November 24, at 4 and 6 p.m. at Standard pricing. It's the same show with softer audio, fewer startling sound effects, limited strobe and flashing lights, and regular car lighting, a great fit for kids on the autism spectrum or anyone sensitive to noise and light.
The museum and train are wheelchair accessible, with a mobile lift on the platform and wheelchair spaces in Car 4. Spaces are limited, so book the designated wheelchair spot and companion seats online or call 702-357-3526. Restrooms on board are not wheelchair accessible, but accessible restrooms are on the museum grounds.
ASL interpreters can be requested at least four weeks before your ride. Only trained service animals are allowed; pets and emotional support animals are not.
Parking, Arrival Time and What to Wear
Plan to arrive about 60 minutes before your showtime to park and check in at the box office. The box office closes at showtime, and nobody boards after that, even if the rest of your party is already on the train.
Parking is at the museum, 2201 S. A Street in Perris, and costs $6 per vehicle. Buy it with your tickets; your confirmation doubles as your parking pass. Accessible spaces are available for vehicles with a valid placard.
Pajamas are part of the fun, so wear them. Just layer up: you'll spend time on an unheated outdoor platform when boarding and getting off, and Inland Empire nights in December can be chilly. Trains run in most weather, including rain, though the museum may cancel or postpone for safety.
Parent Tips for a Smooth Polar Express Night
Bathroom break first. Restrooms on the train are limited, and a staff member has to escort you to another car.
Check allergies. The shortbread contains wheat and milk and may contain tree nuts; the hot chocolate contains milk. Ingredient lists are at the box office.
Babies get a bell, not a snack. Lap infants receive a sleigh bell but no treat or hot chocolate, so pack their own snack.
Leave extra time for the drive. Weekend traffic on the 60 and 215 can be slow in December. Give yourself a buffer.
Family-only zone. No alcohol is sold or allowed on the train or event grounds.
Come back another day. The Southern California Railway Museum offers regular train and trolley rides, a fun follow-up for train-loving kids.
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Takeaway
For a holiday memory your kids will talk about all year, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Perris is hard to beat. Golden tickets, cocoa, the story, Santa and a silver bell all fit into one cozy hour on a real train.
Perris is now the only Southern California stop for this ride, so popular dates fill up. Before you go, check the official Polar Express FAQ page for any schedule or policy updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the Polar Express Train Ride in Perris in 2026?
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride runs on select dates from November 11 through December 31, 2026, at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris. Weeknight departures start at 4 p.m., weekends and the holiday break add 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. rides, and there are no trains on most Mondays, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
2. How much are Polar Express tickets in Perris?
For 2026, adult tickets cost $56.25, $74.25 or $88.25 and child tickets (ages 2 to 11) cost $49.25, $67.25 or $81.25, depending on the departure. Prices include fees. Kids under 2 ride free on a lap with an infant ticket, and parking is $6 per vehicle.
3. How long is the Polar Express Train Ride?
The train ride itself lasts about one hour, and the full experience at the museum is roughly two hours. Organizers ask families to arrive about 60 minutes before the listed showtime to park and check in, since the box office closes at showtime and late arrivals cannot board.
4. Do babies need a ticket for the Polar Express?
Children under 2 ride free as long as they sit on an adult's lap, but you still need to select a free infant ticket and add the child's name when you book. Babies receive a silver sleigh bell from Santa but do not get the cookie or hot chocolate.
5. Is there a North Pole stop on the Polar Express in Perris?
Not in 2026. The organizers removed the outdoor North Pole set this year to focus on the show inside the train. Santa still boards and visits every car, greets the passengers and hands out the first gift of Christmas, a keepsake silver sleigh bell.
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