Pullen Park Holiday Express, presented by WRAL, is back in December, 2026. Tickets will go on sale the morning of October 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. The tickets are being sold on Ticketmaster.
For your best chance at getting tickets, go to the Ticketmaster page 10 minutes before 9 a.m., and make sure you’re signed in to your Ticketmaster account and that you have a valid form of payment. We will add a link to the Ticketmaster page when it’s available.
There’s lots of information here, including:
- Your ticket allows you entrance to the event and all activities starting at 5 p.m.
- For those with 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. train ride tickets, you will have access to the park and train line starting at 4:15 p.m. No other event activities will open until 5 p.m.
- Each guest in your party 1 year or older requires a ticket.
- All guests require a ticket regardless of whether they will be riding the train.
- Your train ride time is listed on your ticket. Please arrive to the train line with your entire party at that time.
- All activities at the event are included in the price of your ticket. There are no additional costs except for snacks from the café stands and souvenirs.
- Service Animals are allowed; pets are not.
This year’s event will take place on 17 nights from December 1 to 17, 2026. Tickets will be $21, plus tax and fees.
If you’re not able to get tickets, please check back on Triangle on the Cheap for our annual giveaway!
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!
Holiday Express 2026 Ticketing Update
For any updates to the process, please go to raleighnc.gov/parks/services/holiday-express. You can also find clarification to questions there.
- Tickets are limited to 8 per household/credit card/IP Address. Any guests who have purchased more than 8 tickets may have all of their tickets canceled.
- Tickets are $21+ tax and fees per guest and are non-refundable. Tickets can be gifted or resold at face value. Tickets are required for all guests ages one and older (12 months and under do not require a ticket.)
- The train time you purchase is the time you are required to ride. Requests for changes to train times cannot be honored. Please arrive at the train station at your scheduled time. Wait times may be between 15-30 minutes.
- Tickets may be transferred to other guests in accordance with Ticketmaster policies and procedures.
- Screenshots or printouts of tickets will not be accepted. Please be prepared to show your digital ticket at the event entrance.
Love Christmas lights? Check out our huge list of the best, most incredible, Christmas light displays in the Triangle.
Sensory Friendly Event Information
There will be sensory-friendly daytime events on December 6 and 13, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m.
This event is designed to create a more enjoyable atmosphere for individuals with sensory needs. This Sensory Friendly Event will include:
- Lower-decibel music
- Decreased capacity to provide more space between crowds
- Less walking between activities
- Access to a quiet area to decompress from sensory overload.
While you will be enjoying our holiday lights during daylight hours, there will still be some lights that have easy or slow movements. Sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, and additional supplies will be available.
Holiday Express Activities
The activities at Holiday Express include:
Holiday Countdown: Stroll around the brightly lit lake and watch the countdown to the holidays!
The Holiday Express: Your designated ride time is located on your event ticket. Arrive with your entire group at the train station at your scheduled time. Three guests maximum to a seat, including children and infants. Wait time may be between 15-30 minutes.
Enchanted Elevator: Step into this magical elevator for a whimsical experience which will lift you up and out of Pullen Park and away to the North Pole. You never know what surprises may await you when you walk out that other side!
Santa’s Toy Shop: Santa has transformed our Southern Railroad caboose into his mobile workshop, where he’s been storing some of the toys the elves have finished. In addition, it’s become his home away from home while he’s in Raleigh! Stop by for a walk-through experience where you might even be able to see the big man himself! Due to the popularity of this experience, traditional sit-down photo opportunities will not be available, but you will likely have time for a brief chat and maybe even a selfie for the digital scrapbook.
Club Cocoa Lounge ($): New this holiday season, the Pullen Cafe is bringing some extra cheer to Holiday Express with a festive hot chocolate bar located in Shelter 1. Guests can warm up with rich hot chocolate and customize their cup with a variety of delicious toppings. In addition, the Pullen Cafe will continue to offer a wide selection of food options, including choices for guests with dietary restrictions and allergies, so everyone in the family can enjoy a treat.
S’more Station: Enjoy a delicious complimentary treat and learn about holiday fire safety from the Raleigh Fire Department.
Carousel: Lions, tigers, and REINDEER, oh my! Choose your favorite animal and enjoy unlimited rides on the historic Dentzel carousel while singing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes played on our authentic Wurlitzer organ.
Candy Cane Lane: Visit the crafty elves and create your own souvenir to bring home with you. While you’re up there, don’t forget to make a bag of reindeer food to bring home for the nine high flyers on their big night. Have you written your letter to Santa yet? Stop by the post office and take some time to write a letter or drop off the one you brought with you. Take a turn on our candy-themed inflatables and games, including Hansel and Gretel’s Great Escape.
Yeti Hunt: The holidays are here, and the yeti family has left the snowy mountains for Holiday Express! Hextor, a yeti, wants the whole family together for the celebration. However, the yetis have wandered around the park, each distracted by their favorite festive activity! Help Hextor round up every yeti and find their challenge along the way.
Gift Shop/Welcome Center: If you have any issues or emergencies, stop by the welcome center for immediate assistance. This is also the spot for fun-themed merchandise, including our $15 limited-edition carousel animal ornaments, or our train ornament from the Charleston Mint! This year’s edition of the ornament will be a replica of a bay horse. Sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, and additional supplies will be available.
Glistening Glen: Experience tje 27-foot-tall Gingerbread Glide, the Gumdrop Grab, and the Gingerbread Jam. The gameplay is unlimited, so take as many chances as you need to get a high score.
Reindeer Flight School: Have you ever wanted to see if Reindeer really know how to fly? Help our holiday friends take flight as you aim to score the most points in 60 seconds.
Arctic Avenue: Visit this frosty playground where you can participate in a variety of games and activities like the Frosty Fling and the Penguin Escape! Get your dancing shoes on for our Blizzard Boogie with an assortment of games, prizes, and our always-popular snowball fight!
Rotary Igloo Experience: What’s better than one Igloo? Two! Come experience this photo op and unique play area, hosted by the Rotary Club of Crabtree.
Inclement Weather Plan: In the case of severe weather (rain with extremely wet conditions, high winds and/or lightning, extremely cold conditions with ice and/or snow), Holiday Express may be canceled. Weather conditions are evaluated on a daily basis. Event cancellations will be made by noon on the day of the event. Registered guests will be notified by email, and information will be posted on the Holiday Express website. Available rain date options will be presented at that time.
Refunds: All sales are final, and no refunds will be provided. Tickets may be resold at face value. Questions regarding extenuating circumstances may be emailed to HolidayExpress@raleighnc.gov
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.
