2026 Christmas & holiday train guide

Christmas & holiday trains in Indiana

Compare 8 reviewed holiday programs in Indiana, including their boarding towns, departure announcements and ticket status.

Compare the departures ↓Explore Polar Express rides →

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. Display crop. Bill Morrow / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
2026 dates published
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Start with the train tickets. Check the exact date and seating class before booking a hotel or planning a long drive. Reviewed schedules and sold-out notices help you compare; they do not promise remaining seats.

Choose a departure in Indiana

The boarding location matters: holiday services can use a different station from a railway’s regular trains. Compare the stops below before choosing a ride.

Holiday train programs, boarding locations and schedule status in Indiana
Holiday ride	Where to board	Schedule & tickets
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train RideFrench Lick Scenic Railway	French Lick Depot, 8594 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN	Select performances November 6–December 23, 20262026 dates published
Santa’s Candy Cane ExpressHesston Steam Museum	1201 E 1000 N, Hesston, IN 46350	December 5, December 6, December 12, December 13, 20262026 dates published
Santa TrainsHoosier Valley Railroad Museum	North Judson Depot, 507 Mulberry Street, North Judson, IN 46366	November 21 and 28; December 5, 12 and 19, 20262026 dates published
Reindeer ExpressNickel Plate Express	825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060	Holiday 2026 program listed — check exact Reindeer Express departures2026 program listed — confirm departures
Holiday Cheers ExpressNickel Plate Express	825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060	December 2, December 3, December 9, December 10, 20262026 dates published
Ho Ho Homicide ExpressNickel Plate Express	825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060	December 16, December 17, 20262026 dates published
Holiday Trivia on the RailsNickel Plate Express	825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060	December 2, December 3, December 9, December 10, 20262026 dates published
New Year’s Eve Murder at Gatsby’s GalaNickel Plate Express	825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060	December 31, 20262026 dates published

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Your holiday departure

Compare rides in this state

Search rides or townsHoliday experienceRailway typeBooking and schedule status

8 rides match your filters

See these rides on a map

All 8 selected rides at 4 mapped locations, including results on the other pages. Shared depots list every selected program. Pins mark stations or event campuses; route references and inactive events are labeled in the pin details.

French Lick, IN · Heritage railroad

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

French Lick Scenic Railway

2026 dates published

Select performances November 6–December 23, 2026

French Lick’s train ride includes cocoa, cookies, Santa and a keepsake bell. The official series contains both ticket links and sold-out performances.

Ticket status and source check

The official 2026 series lists a mixture of ticket links and Sold Out performances as checked October 26, 2026. Check the exact performance; no available seat is promised.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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La Porte, IN · Museum train

Santa’s Candy Cane Express

Hesston Steam Museum

2026 dates published

December 5, December 6, December 12, December 13, 2026

Hesston lists Santa’s Candy Cane Express on two December weekends. Confirm the holiday train’s fare and departure arrangements separately from regular museum rides.

Ticket status and source check

The museum publishes the 2026 Santa dates; exact sale status and remaining seats were not verified.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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North Judson, IN · Museum train

Santa Trains

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

2026 dates published

November 21 and 28; December 5, 12 and 19, 2026

Hoosier Valley’s Santa Trains offer holiday excursions on five Saturday dates.

Ticket status and source check

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

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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Noblesville, IN · Heritage railroad

Reindeer Express

Nickel Plate Express

2026 program listed — confirm departures

Holiday 2026 program listed — check exact Reindeer Express departures

A Santa visit, music and seasonal treats on a 75-minute Reindeer Express ride in Noblesville.

Ticket status and source check

The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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Noblesville, IN · Heritage railroad

Holiday Cheers Express

Nickel Plate Express

2026 dates published

December 2, December 3, December 9, December 10, 2026

A holiday evening aboard Nickel Plate Express for passengers age 21 and older.

Ticket status and source check

The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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Noblesville, IN · Heritage railroad

Ho Ho Homicide Express

Nickel Plate Express

2026 dates published

December 16, December 17, 2026

A Christmas murder mystery and dinner aboard the Nickel Plate Express for adults age 21 and older.

Ticket status and source check

The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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Noblesville, IN · Heritage railroad

Holiday Trivia on the Rails

Nickel Plate Express

2026 dates published

December 2, December 3, December 9, December 10, 2026

Holiday movie and music trivia on a 90-minute Nickel Plate Express ride for adults age 21 and older.

Ticket status and source check

The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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Noblesville, IN · Heritage railroad

New Year’s Eve Murder at Gatsby’s Gala

Nickel Plate Express

2026 dates published

December 31, 2026

A Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve murder mystery aboard a restored train in Noblesville.

Ticket status and source check

The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26

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How we check the holiday guide

Official operator pages support each source review. Licensed Polar Express status and actual rail operation are checked separately. A season window is not a daily timetable, and older fares are not current prices.

We are an independent planning guide. Optional affiliate travel offers appear separately from official train tickets, with a commission disclosure. Historical photographs are captioned with their date; they do not guarantee this season’s train or decorations.