2026 Christmas & holiday train guide
Compare 8 reviewed holiday programs in Minnesota, including their boarding towns, departure announcements and ticket status.
2026 dates published
Plan this holiday ride →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.
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 ride | Where to board | Schedule & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Jingle Bells TrolleyExcelsior Streetcar Line | 337 Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331 | November 27, November 28, 20262026 dates published |
| North Pole ExpressFriends of the 261 | Saint Paul Union Depot, 214 East 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101 | December 4–6 and 10–13, 20262026 dates published |
| Holly TrolleyMinnesota Streetcar Museum | 2330 West 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | November 28, November 29, December 5, December 6, 2026Ticket sale still ahead |
| Santa’s StorytimeMinnesota Streetcar Museum | 2330 West 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | November 28, 20262026 dates published |
| VinternattMinnesota Streetcar Museum | 2330 West 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | December 5, 20262026 dates published |
| Christmas City ExpressNorth Shore Scenic Railroad | 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55802 | Selected departures November 27, 2026–December 20, 20262026 dates published |
| Christmas Tree TrainNorth Shore Scenic Railroad | 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55802 | November 28, 20262026 dates published |
| Julebyen Express TrainNorth Shore Scenic Railroad | 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55802 | December 5, December 6, 20262026 dates published |
Your holiday departure
8 rides match your filters
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.
Excelsior, MN · Rail trolley
Excelsior Streetcar Line
2026 dates published
November 27, November 28, 2026
Holiday carols, treats and notes to Santa on the Excelsior Streetcar Line’s Jingle Bells Trolley.
The official 2026 calendar lists the event and fare; no remaining-seat inventory was checked.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Saint Paul, MN · Heritage railroad
Friends of the 261
2026 dates published
December 4–6 and 10–13, 2026
The Friends of the 261 publish two December groups for their North Pole Express holiday trains.
The official page says On Sale Now for the 2026 North Pole Express; selected departure availability was not checked.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Minneapolis, MN · Rail trolley
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
Ticket sale still ahead
November 28, November 29, December 5, December 6, 2026
A holiday streetcar ride with Santa from Linden Hills Station in Minneapolis.
The public page specifies same-day depot sales, beginning about 11:30 a.m. Event days are still ahead of the October 26 check; no advance seat inventory is claimed.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Minneapolis, MN · Rail trolley
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
2026 dates published
November 28, 2026
Santa’s Storytime offers a smaller holiday streetcar gathering at the Como-Harriet line.
The official page lists the 2026 Storytime event and says a ticket is required. Current sale status and remaining seats were not checked.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Minneapolis, MN · Rail trolley
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
2026 dates published
December 5, 2026
A December evening streetcar ride past luminaria and lighted trees on Minneapolis’ Como-Harriet line.
The official 2026 page lists Vinternatt and its fare; no remaining-seat inventory was checked.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Duluth, MN · Heritage railroad
North Shore Scenic Railroad
2026 dates published
Selected departures November 27, 2026–December 20, 2026
A museum story performance followed by a short holiday train ride from the Duluth Depot.
The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Duluth, MN · Heritage railroad
North Shore Scenic Railroad
2026 dates published
November 28, 2026
A daytime train trip from Duluth to Knife River to collect a Christmas tree or wreath.
The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
Duluth, MN · Heritage railroad
North Shore Scenic Railroad
2026 dates published
December 5, December 6, 2026
Ride from the Duluth Depot to Knife River’s Scandinavian Julebyen Christmas Festival.
The 2026 program is announced. Remaining seats have not been checked; use the official event information for your date.
Source reviewed 2026-10-26
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.
