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.
Pullen Park’s Holiday Express
Holiday Express
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
2026 dates: December 1 to 17, 2026
Cost: $21
Tickets go on sale on October 15, and are expected to sell out almost immediately, as they do yearly. If you snag tickets, enjoy the train ride as well as the carousel, Santa’s toy shop, the Enchanted Elevator and more.
Santa Train at New Hope Valley Railway
Santa Express
New Hope Valley Railway
3900 Bonsal Road
New Hill, North Carolina 27562
24 miles from Raleigh
919-396-5833
2026 dates: December 5, 6, 12, 13, and 19.
Cost: All ages: $18.61, tickets on sale here.
Go on a festive adventure through holiday-decorated woods as you play the Santa Express I Spy Game looking for cheerful decorations along the ride. Santa will board the train to greet every passenger. There will also be hot chocolate, sweet treats, and food from local food trucks available for purchase!
Selma Santa Train
Selma Santa Train
Selma-Smithfield Station: 500 East Railroad Street, Selma, NC 27576
31 miles from Raleigh
919-965-9841
2026 Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Cost: Children 12 and under $35, adults $50, family of 4 $150
Back after a couple of years, board the Selma Santa Train and journey to Wilson to enjoy the Downtown Christmas Celebration including carnival rides, holiday markets, train rides, and more. Pictures with Santa will be available before boarding at the Selma-Smithfield Station, and also once arriving at the Wilson Station.
Carolina Christmas Train
Carolina Christmas Train with Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway
100 Russell Drive, Star, NC
84 miles from Raleigh
2026 dates: The train will be running from December 10 to 20, 2026.
Cost: There are a variety of different ride options starting at $60 per person. More information about rides and pricing can be found here.
The journey includes festive cheer, cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
Country Christmas Train at Denton Farmpark
Denton Farmpark
4259 Handy Road
Denton, NC 27239
93 miles from Raleigh
336-859-2755
2026 dates: November 27-29. December 4-6, 10-13, and 17-23.
Admission: Children 4 and under enter free, children 5-17 $10, adult $25 ($20 for 65+ and military with valid ID)
Enjoy a train ride, access to all buildings and museums along the lighted pathway, much more. Santa pictures are available for an additional $15. Please bring cash.
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
2026 dates: November 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29. December 4-6 and 10-23.
Tickets start at $45.50 for kids and $51.75 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
2026 dates: November 13 to December 30, 2026
Cost: Free to enter and walk through the light display. $2.50 to ride the train.
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 free visits and pictures. 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
2026 Dates: November 27-29. December 4-6, 11-13, 18-23, and 26-30.
Cost: $65 for 13+, $45 for children 3-12, and children ages 2 and younger are admitted for free.
- 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.
- 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.
- More!
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
2026 Dates: Dates from November 6, 2026 to January 3, 2027. There are a few dates where rides are mot available, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: Infants (0-23 months) enter free, children 2-12 $40.45, and 13+ $58.94.
Set to the soundtrack of The Polar Express movie, the 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.
Holiday in the Park at Museum of Life + Science
Museum of Life + Science
433 W. Murray Avenue
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-5429
2026 dates: Check back soon.
Check back soon for 2026 info. The Museum generally offers some variety of a holiday-themed train ride every year. We’ll update once we have the information.
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 and cheap events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- 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.
