LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow photo by Jamie Pham
LA Zoo Lights, NHM Commons, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend
LA Zoo Lights dazzle. Photo by Jamie Pham
14 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles November 2024 with Kids
Dine in or take out some of the best turkey in Tinseltown. Photo courtesy of the Huckleberry Cafe
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
GUIDE
LA Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Try sock skating at Kidspace Winter Frolic. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Museum
16 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Los Angeles for Kids
Embrace the mess! Sloomoo Institute photo by Kylie Williams
NEW Sloomoo Institute Opens in Los Angeles for Kids to Enjoy Slime Fun
Photo courtesy of Underwood Family Farms
31 Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles—Plus Weekend Getaways
Photo by Bill Soistmann
GUIDE
Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families
Dino Valley means jurassic fun in LEGOLAND for kids of all ages.
NEW Dino Valley in LEGOLAND is Open for T-Rex-Sized Fun
Dive into tons of fun in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
39 Things to Do With Kids in Long Beach
Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County
Right this way to all the free fun in LA, especially at the Griffith Observatory! Photo by Gina Ragland
100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Everything at the Cayton has been carefully crafted with one goal in mind: to help create a better world through the power of play.
Guide to the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica–A Parent Review
This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Imaginative play for preschoolers is music to our ears. Photo courtesy of Pretend City
39 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Los Angeles Before They Turn 5
Visit LACMA's Levitated Mass. Photo by Joey Zanetti
100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up

Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles

Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train
Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train
10/25/24 - By Kylie Williams

'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains! Los Angeles has plenty of holiday magic waiting on the rails, from a staple in Griffith Park to a movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. So, put on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, and chow down on Christmas cookies, while embracing the holiday spirit. Kiddos may even get the chance to hand over those wish lists to Santa Claus in person. 

There are seats available (so far!) on the Christmas train rides below that take place from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Reserve your spot ASAP because Polar Express trains are a hot ticket, and tend to book up fast.

Get in the holiday spirit with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles, take your Christmas card to the next level with LA-only photo ops with Santa, and visit our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families for more holiday adventures. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Put those pajamas on and hop aboardThe North Pole Limited. Photo by @lizpalkamedia Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc.
Put those pajamas on and hop aboardThe North Pole Limited. Photo by @lizpalkamedia Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc.

Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains near Los Angeles

The Southern California Polar Express Train Ride

Perris
November 20 - December 29, 2024
Step inside a holiday classic! The Polar Express Train Ride is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story on board a real train. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor. Guests are served hot chocolate and shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book, and get a gift from Santa. READ MORE

The North Pole Limited Holiday Train

Campo
Fridays & Saturdays, November 29 - December 21, 2024
Hop aboard the North Pole Limited, where Santa’s elves sing favorite Christmas carols, read a Christmas story to young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. The North Pole Limited stops at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus, who visit with all passengers on the train on the way back to the Campo Depot. READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Orange
November 29 - December 23, 2024
Irvine Regional Park's annual Christmas Train offers both daytime and nighttime rides through the historic park to meet Santa at his Village. Grab your tickets fast- this event sells out every year!  READ MORE

Holiday Train Ride at Griffith Park Southern Railroad

Griffith Park
November 29, 2024 - January 3, 2025
Hooray! Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. The evening ride is gentle, and just the right size for kids and their parents to take in the festively decorated mile of track with thousands of twinkling lights.  READ MORE

El Dorado Frontier Winter Wonderland Train

Long Beach
Saturdays & Sundays, November 30 - December 22, 2024
Hop aboard the El Dorado Railroad for a Christmas train ride accompanied by live holiday music, a snowfall experience, and treats and hot cocoa. Train rides cost 3 tickets per person (tickets are 10 for $25) and admission to El Dorado Frontier is $5 per person.  READ MORE

Santa's Express Train at South Coast Plaza

Costa Mesa
December 1 - December 22, 2024
Hop on the Santa's Express Train for a ride around the mall and a glimpse of the big man of the hour, Santa! Children must be under 50" tall to ride the train. Make sure to check out the reindeer carousel, as well.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights Night Train at Southern California Live Steamers

Torrance
Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21, 2024
Southern California Live Steamers offer this special night train ride for the holiday season, which also serves as a fundraiser to support the free rides throughout the year. Chug through thousands of lights on this happy little ride.  READ MORE

OCME North Pole Express Public Run Day

Costa Mesa
Saturdays & Sundays, December 21 & 22, 2024
This may be the only free holiday train in SoCal! The Orange County Model Engineers offer free rides on their live steamers one weekend per month, and in December Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining the fun.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Southern California Railway Museum
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Griffith Park and Southern Railroad
El Dorado East Regional Park
Southern California Live Steamers Station
Orange County Model Engineers