Duluth, MN · Heritage railroad · 2026 season

Christmas City Express at North Shore Scenic Railroad

A museum story performance followed by a short holiday train ride from the Duluth Depot.

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

Selected departures November 27, 2026–December 20, 2026

Selected weekends during this window; not daily service. Check the exact departure calendar.

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

Price observed 2026-10-26: Coach from $42 adult / $38 child; Dome from $52; Saturdays $5 more. Coach fares apply from age three, ages two and under free in Coach. Dome fares apply to all ages. The 2026 season is bound by the official special-excursion calendar; old music listings are not current.

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

Duluth Depot — North Shore Scenic Railroad

506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55802

Railroad entrance is at the back of the Depot on Level 1, accessed from 4th Avenue West. The upper museum entrance is on Level 3.

Official boarding information →

Plan your visit

Time and experience
Allow about 90 minutes for the museum story performance and a roughly 30-minute train ride, with cocoa and cookies.
Accessibility
The story performance is accessible, but the operator says the historic train is not wheelchair accessible and boarding involves steps.
Current entertainment
The page still labels its music lineup 2025, with 2026 coming soon. Do not plan around those prior-year performers.

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 Minnesota

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

Sources and railway guide

Visit the North Shore Scenic Railroad railway guide →