Union, IL · Museum train · 2026 season

Happy Holiday Railway at Illinois Railway Museum

Illinois Railway Museum’s holiday admission includes a 40-minute Santa train and historic streetcar rides, alongside lights and museum displays.

Illustrative stock photo: Grand Canyon Railway locomotive 237 decorated with a Christmas wreath
Illustrative stock photograph. Grand Canyon Railway locomotive 237 with a Christmas wreath on November 18, 2013. Historical holiday decoration; the source does not identify this departure as the Polar Express. The Commons file was cropped vertically by 5% in 2024. Bill Morrow / Wikimedia Commons · Image source · CC BY 2.0 · Display crop; photograph otherwise unchanged.

2026 dates published

November 27–29; December 5–6, 12–13 and 19–21, 2026

Published operating dates do not guarantee seats. Check your exact departure and class in the official booking calendar.

The operator supplies ticket information; date-specific remaining seats have not been verified.

Price observed 2026-10-26: Adults $30; children $25. Everyone past their second birthday needs a ticket. Parking is free. Confirm the full total for the selected departure.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26 · Ticket status observed 2026-10-26

Tickets and official updates

Choose a train departure first. Confirm the date, class, child tickets and checkout total with the operator before arranging other travel.

Check departures and tickets →

Where to board

Union boarding location

East Union Depot at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, IL 60180

Official boarding information →

Plan your visit

Boarding
East Union Depot at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, IL 60180
Young children
Everyone past their second birthday needs a ticket. Parking is included.
Sensory choice
The museum identifies a quiet car without the animated-light entertainment.
Changes
Refunds are limited to event cancellation. Rebooking depends on availability.

Would an overnight stay help?

Compare your departure time and drive home before deciding. An evening train or a long journey may make staying nearby useful. Secure the correct holiday train first, then check lodging independently; no hotel or regular-excursion booking establishes holiday admission.

More holiday rides in Illinois

Each ride has its own schedule and ticket status; these links do not guarantee availability.

Sources and railway guide

Visit the Illinois Railway Museum railway guide →