Maryland and DC Area Christmas Train Events Your Kids Will Love!
These Maryland and DC Christmas train events will delight you and your kids! Santa trains and train gardens are a great way to connect during the holidays!
What is it about trains and Christmas that is just so magical? Whether you enjoy a cozy ride in the country with Santa Claus or pop into the local fire department to see their model train display, no holiday season would be complete without checking out a Christmas train.
These Christmas train events are sure to keep the Holiday magic going strong for you and your entire family.
B&O Railroad Museum Holiday Festival of Trains
Tickets to the very popular Polar Express are a hot number (yes, I did write that. lol). The B&O Railroad Museum has expanded their dates for the Polar Express and it’s really a fun interactive experience for kids!
Polar Express! dates for 2025 are: Nov. 28-29; Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 19-23
Check out my review of the Polar Express here!
In 2025 there are a bunch of additional festive train events for families. Reindeer Railway Train Rides is a great way to kick off the holiday season with a festive train ride along America’s very first mile of commercial railroad! The train is decked out in its holiday best, and every rider can enjoy a special sweet treat. Kids will love the extra surprise- a pair of reindeer antlers to wear on the ride!
Dates for the Reindeer Railway are: December 5 and 12 at 11:30 a.m.; December 26 at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; December 27 and 29 at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; December 28 at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; and December 31 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Families can soak up the holiday spirit at the B&O with festive fun throughout the season! Kids can meet Santa and snap photos with him on select dates, or enjoy extra magic during special events like Breakfast with Santa.
Inside Santa’s Winter Village, kids can create holiday crafts, write letters to Santa, and explore dazzling model train layouts before taking a whirl on Santa’s Sleigh Ride, open midweek mornings through early afternoon.
Click here for all the details!
Walkersville Southern Railroad Santa Train
This is probably one of our family’s favorite holiday traditions. The Walkersville Southern Santa Train is perfect for young kids. It isn’t intimidating, the ride is gorgeous, and milk and cookies are served at the end of the ride.
Santa Train dates for 2025 are: November 28-30; December 7, 13-14, and 20-21.
Related: 40+ FREE Christmas Events in Maryland!
Christmas at Strasburg Rail Road
Trust me, this Lancaster County holiday tradition is totally worth the drive. We’ve experienced both the Santa train and the Night Before Christmas train, and they are pure magic for families. Strasburg Rail Road goes all out for the holidays with several festive rides to choose from.
Santa’s Paradise Express takes you on a 45-minute journey through Amish Country aboard a historic steam train. Along the way, Santa visits each family on board, while Mrs. Claus greets guests back at the station. You can also catch a live Christmas revue show and stop by the North Pole Letter Station to send Santa your wish list.
If you’re looking for something cozy and storybook-perfect, climb aboard The Night Before Christmas Train. Passengers are treated to milk, cookies, and a live reading of the beloved holiday poem while riding in beautifully restored Victorian railcars.
And for something truly unique, check out the Christmas Tree Train: a one-of-a-kind experience where you can ride out to Leaman Place Grove, pick your family Christmas tree, and have it delivered back to the station by steam train.
Click here for ticket information for all the Christmas trains!
Related: ICE! at the Gaylord National is a Must Do Holiday Splurge!
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Take a one-of-a-kind trek through Winter Land aboard the Western Maryland. In 2025, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will once again host the Polar Express!
2025 Polar Express Experience dates are: November 21st – December 23rd
The ride is 60 minutes long and tickets start at $40. Here is more information on the Polar Express Experience.
Related: Brookside Gardens Christmas Lights are completely magical
North Central Railway of York
Located just over the Maryland–Pennsylvania border in York, the Northern Central Railway offers two festive train rides that make the season truly magical for families. The fun kicks off in late November with the Christmas Elves Express, featuring the brand-new adventure “Santa Who?” When Santa’s team of mischievous elves accidentally lose their memories, passengers are invited to help them rediscover the spirit of Christmas.
Read our review of the Santa Express here!
Expect lots of laughter, singing, snow, and festive surprises, plus a special visit from Santa himself!
Then in December, the classic Santa Express keeps the holiday cheer rolling. Climb aboard at the Historic New Freedom Station for a scenic ride to Glen Rock with Santa on board.
Every child will get a chance to meet Kris Kringle and receive a small gift before heading to the Engine House for complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and live fiddle music from Keith Engle. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia, fun, and family holiday magic!
2025 Christmas Train dates are as follows:
- Santa Express: 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21 December.
- Christmas Elves Express: 28-30 November
Stone Gables Estate Train
The Santa Express at Stone Gables Estate is a truly magical holiday train experience in the Hershey–Harrisburg area that feels straight out of a Christmas movie.
Climb aboard the beautifully decorated Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad for a narrated ride through the heart of Stone Gables Estate. The train features a replica 1868 steam locomotive pulling authentic 19th-century passenger cars, setting the scene for an old-fashioned holiday adventure.
As you travel, sing along to classic Christmas tunes and watch the excitement on your kids’ faces when St. Nick makes a surprise visit with a small gift for each child. You’ll even get to peek into Santa’s Toy Shop inside the Engine House. Don’t forget your camera!
New this year, the track expansion doubles the length of the route and includes a scenic 400-foot wooden trestle crossing plus a brand-new Star Barn platform.
Read our review of the Stone Gables Estate experience!
After your ride, plan extra time to explore the National Christmas Center, a nostalgic wonderland filled with vintage holiday displays and festive cheer.
Dates for 2025: 21-22, 28-29 November, and 6, 13, 17-20, 22-23 December.
Stewartstown Railroad
The Stewartstown Railroad in southern York County offers two festive and family-friendly ways to celebrate the season… and both are perfect for a cozy holiday outing!
Hop aboard the Candy Cane Express for a charming ride with Santa Claus himself. The vintage passenger coaches are beautifully decorated, creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Families can visit with Santa and snap their own photos (no extra charge!). Every child receives a special treat. And guests are encouraged to bring along non-perishable food donations to help local families in need. It’s a calm, cheerful experience that’s ideal for younger kids or anyone who wants to slow down and soak up the season.
For a little more mischief and laughter, the Evening Grinch Storybook Limited offers a spirited nighttime adventure featuring a live reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Expect sing-alongs, holiday fun, and an unforgettable visit from the “Mean Green One” himself! Each family gets time to meet the Grinch, and every child goes home with a special treat. Just note- this train doesn’t include Santa (they don’t exactly get along), and the Grinch’s antics might be a bit much for very young riders.
Both rides offer a premium, small-town holiday experience at a great value. This is the perfect way to make Christmas memories in Stewartstown!
Dates for 2025: The Grinch Storybook event is December 6th and Candy Cane Express is 29-30 November, 13, 20, and 21 December.
FAQ
YES! There are two actually. You can catch the Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore or aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland, MD.
Families are encouraged to wear pajamas on the Polar Express train ride, but you don’t have to.
Passengers will go on a round trip journey to the ‘North Pole.’ Ok, not really. The train will travel the same route as other Baltimore trains. But it will be outfitted with all the Polar Express activities and decorations!
Our top pick for Santa Train is the Walkersville Southern Santa Train. However, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Polar Express, the North Central Railroad Santa Express, and the Strasburg Railroad Night Before Christmas Train are all excellent choices too!
Check out these Christmas ideas too!
- Your Ultimate Christmas in MD Guide
- FREE Christmas Events in MD
- Christmas Lights in MD
- Maryland Christmas Craft Festivals
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