We’ve put together a list of Christmas trains throughout North Carolina.
For attractions outside of the Triangle, we’ve indicated the number of miles it is from Raleigh. Please adjust the distance from your own starting point.
We’ve put together a huge list of holiday events in the Triangle, including parades, festivals, markets, Santa visits, and more. Check out our growing day by day list of holiday events in the Triangle!
Caveat: Not all of these train rides are cheap. Some of these are pretty pricey. But we’re including them anyway, because they are so popular.
Also, please note that some of these rides are on actual, full-size trains, and some are on smaller models.
Please make sure to follow the links below for the official information and to buy tickets.
And at the end of this post, there’s be a day-by-day list of holiday events in the Triangle
Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express at New Hope Valley Railway
Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express
New Hope Valley Railway
3900 Bonsal Road
New Hill, North Carolina 27562
24 miles from Raleigh
919-396-5833
2024 dates: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21
Cost: All ages: $16
Take pictures with Santa in the rail yard, using your own camera. Then go on a 50-minute train ride and search for Santa’s missing reindeer. Tickets are on sale now.
Pullen Park’s Holiday Express
Holiday Express
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
2024: check back soon.
Pullen Park’s immensely popular Holiday Express sells out almost immediately.
Holiday in the Park at Museum of Life + Science
Museum of Life + Science
433 W. Murray Avenue
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-5429
2024 dates: Check back soon.
Cost: Check back soon.
Check back soon for 2024 info. The Museum hosts a holiday-themed train ride each year. We’ll update when we have the details for 2024.
Carolina Christmas Train
Carolina Christmas Train with Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway
Star, NC
85 miles from Raleigh
2024 dates: The train will be running from December 6 to 20, 2024. Last year it ran on Fridays and Saturdays, so we expect the same this year.
Cost: Check back soon. In 2023, tickets were $45-$60
Country Christmas Train at Denton Farmpark
Denton Farmpark
4259 Handy Road
Denton, NC 27239
93 miles from Raleigh
336-859-2755
2024 dates: Check back soon
Cost: Check back soon.
Enjoy a train ride, and explore the grist mill, a petting zoo, doll museum, kids’ rides, and much more. Santa pictures are available.
The Polar Express Train Ride at North Carolina Transportation Museum
The Polar Express Train Ride
North Carolina Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer
123 miles from Raleigh
2024 dates: November 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-30. December 1, 6-8, 12-23.
Cost: Tickets start at $36 for kids and $42 for adults.
The train ride is set to the sounds of the movie soundtrack as you travel to the “North Pole.” Along the way, listen to a reading of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic, The Polar Express, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. At the North Pole, families will leave the train and watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas. Back at Candy Cane Lane, all passengers who “believe” will receive their own sleigh bell.
Kannapolis Christmas–Winterland Express
Kannapolis Christmas
Village Park
700 W. C Street
Kannapolis, NC 28081
141 miles from Raleigh
2024 dates: November 16 to December 30, 2024
Cost: Free to enter and walk through the light display. $2 to ride the train, but you need to reserve your spot in advance.
It’s free to enter the park, where you can see more than 250,000 Christmas lights. A group of animatronic bears will sing Christmas carols, and Santa will be available for visits and pictures, at now cost. The Winterland Express is Village Park’s g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engine, decked out for the holidays!
Tweetsie Christmas
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
192 miles from Raleigh
800-526-5740
2024 Dates: November 29 and 20. December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.
Cost: $60 for adults and $40 for children. Children ages 2 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets are on sale now.
- Meet Santa in his own home — made of gingerbread, and filled with candied furnishings.
- Take a night-time train ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. See thousands of Christmas lights along the three-mile track and the open areas of the park.
- Enjoy the sounds of Christmas during a 15-minute variety show in the Tweetsie Palace.
- Step into a snow globe filled with swirling (synthetic) snow, peek through a Christmas present, see giant nut crackers, toy soldiers, candy canes, toy drums, and more.
- Snacks for sale: Roast s’mores over an outdoor fire pit and enjoy freshly baked cookies, warm funnel cakes, and other handmade items from Tweetsie Railroad’s famous Fudge Shop.
The Polar Express with Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Polar Express Train Ride
Bryson City Depot
45 Mitchell Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
309 miles from Raleigh
800-872-4681
2024 Dates: November 29 and 20. December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.
Cost: $60 for adults and $40 for children. Children ages 2 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets are on sale now.
Set to the soundtrack of The Polar Express movie, the 1 1/4 hour round trip excursion takes passengers from the Bryson City depot to a visit to the North Pole. Guests will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening to and reading along with the story.At the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet each child. Santa will give each child a silver sleigh bell.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
- Free events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- What Christmas food can dogs eat?
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
More Holiday Events in the Triangle
Check out our big list of holiday events in the Triangle, or look at a few of them here:
