The Polar Express Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a magical, re-creation of the classic children’s Christmas story. Following the events in the original book and 2004 movie, you will be immersed in the Polar Express adventure.

When you arrive at the Museum, you will enter our main lobby and walk through the Museum store and small exhibit areas until you arrive at the Lenfestey Center. There, the doors open 30 minutes before the show. During that time, you are welcome to explore the full-size trains, play holiday-themed games, shop exclusive Polar Express gifts, take a photo with a Polar Express conductor or engineer, and stroll among the Festival of Trees provided by area businesses that decorate the Museum during the holiday season.

Your show starts promptly at the time your ticket lists. Please be seated by this time. The show begins with the Hot Chocolate Dance, after which waiters will serve a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie for you to enjoy while listening to a dramatic reading of the original Polar Express book. At the end of the story, our conductor calls “All Aboard”, inviting you to walk outside to the Museum’s depot and Board the vintage train cars for a ride on the Polar Express to the North Pole.

On board a real, full-sized train your adventure continues. As the train travels, families will be able to interact with the characters from the story. This is not a train ride where the focus is on holiday decorations outside the windows. Instead, expect an interactive recreation of the book inside the train where you are riding; outside you will travel through cold, dark forests, encounter a hobo, view the Northern Lights and see polar bears in the Arctic Circle.

Near the end of the show, Santa will stay on board the train to visit leisurely with passengers on board the Spirit of the Season and the Arctic Circle. Santa will move through the car speaking briefly to children on Glacier Gulch. On the Northern Lights, expect to see Santa wave “hello” and invite you into the depot at the Museum’s North Pole, where children will be able to speak to him more leisurely. Children on the Glacier Gulch may also stop in the depot to visit Santa before he heads around the world on Christmas Eve.

30 min. before show time.

Due to the high demand and our first come, first served policy, those purchasing tickets will be placed in a virtual queue. When it is your turn to purchase tickets, you will be able to place tickets in your basket and complete your purchase.  As a note: when purchasing online, you will receive a faster connection and better experience by using a computer rather than a cellphone. Please ensure that your computer’s firewall allows you to make a purchase with Ticket Star; some individuals have found that without this allowance, they can put tickets in their cart, but are unable to complete the purchase.

Is there a phone number I can call to purchase tickets?

Yes! Tickets to the Polar Express are sold by Ticket Star. Please call 1-800-895-0071 or 920-494-3401. As online, you will be placed in a queue. First come, first served.

Can I purchase tickets at the Museum?

NO, all tickets for the 2024 Polar Express Train Ride will be only sold online or by telephone through Ticket Star. You may purchase online or by telephone at 1-800-0071 or 920-494-3401.  

Can I purchase tickets at the Ticket Star box office?

No, all tickets for the 2024 Polar Express Train Ride will be sold online or by telephone through Ticket Star. You may purchase online or by telephone at 1-800-0071 or 920-494-3401.

• National Railroad Museum