Polar Express Michigan 2026: Christmas Trains With Seats

Whether you’re hopping aboard Michigan’s real Polar Express train or a cozy train decked out in holiday décor, taking a ride on a Christmas train in Michigan is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. I always make a point to take the ride on one of the trains early in the season, because it makes the holiday spirit really come alive.

🎄 Updated October 2026: the North Pole Express sold most of its seats in the spring, so I’ve flagged which Michigan Christmas trains still have tickets.

Michigan’s Polar Express Train Ride and More Magical Michigan Christmas Train Rides

The Polar Express in Michigan is more than the stuff of holiday dreams, and there are more Christmas train rides around the state than most people realize.

A ride on a Christmas train is one of the most memorable kid-friendly holiday events in Michigan. From Santa trains to holiday rides through a snowy winter wonderland, a trip behind a Michigan steam engine or vintage diesel is a Michigan Christmas must. The catch is timing. The most famous train sells out months ahead, so here’s what’s still realistic to book for 2026.

🎄 MICHIGAN CHRISTMAS TRAINS QUICK COMPARISON
⭐ Most authentic: North Pole Express, pulled by the Pere Marquette 1225 (the real Polar Express engine), but mostly sold out
🎅 Best Santa experience still on sale: Coopersville Santa Train, 90 minutes with Santa on board
❄️ Most to do: Crossroads Village, with a train ride, lights and a whole historic village
🚂 Real steam, short and sweet: Little River Railroad in Coldwater, four December runs
⚠️ Fastest to sell out: North Pole Express, which went on sale April 1

💡 Booking tip: If you missed the North Pole Express, don’t wait on the others. Coopersville and Crossroads Village sell out their popular December weekends too, usually by early to mid-November.

All About the Polar Express

Maybe you’ve seen The Polar Express movie, the story of a young boy beckoned on a magical Christmas Eve to ride a secret express train to the North Pole. It’s based on the book by Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg, and the train in it is more than make-believe.

The locomotive in the 2004 film was modeled on a real Michigan steam engine, the Pere Marquette 1225, whose drawings and sound recordings were used to bring the movie’s train to life. The 1225 still runs out of Owosso, and every holiday season it pulls the North Pole Express to the village of Ashley.

If your kids love the movie, a Christmas train ride is how you make it real. So get in your best holiday gear, put on your Santa hats, and book a seat on one of these trains.

EXPERT TIP: These train rides make a perfect holiday date night, as well as a fun holiday gift. You can find ticket info for each one in this post.

North Pole Express Train Ride from Owosso to Ashley Michigan

Pere Marquette 1225 (The Polar Express)
405 S Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867

It only makes sense that the very engine the movie’s train was based on is still going strong every holiday season, running between Owosso and the village of Ashley’s Country Christmas, which transforms into the North Pole for the season. It’s part of what makes a Michigan Christmas special.

2026 Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 20 through Dec. 20
Duration: A 4.75-hour round trip, including time in Ashley
Included: Admission to Ashley’s Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and a “Believe” bell
2026 Status: Tickets went on sale April 1, and many coach dates were gone by May. Check the Steam Railroading Institute’s site for any remaining seats or added dates.

💡 Insider Tip: For 2026, Cocoa Class seats are sold only in groups of two or four, so buy together if you want to sit together. Refunds are available only with trip protection. Plan ahead for next year, too: tickets now go on sale in the spring, not summer.

Accessibility: The Steam Railroading Institute’s historic cars can’t be made wheelchair accessible, and every passenger has to climb stairs to board and get off the train.

Michigan Christmas Trains That Still Have Seats

Santa Train at Coopersville & Marne Railway
306 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404

This is one train trip you’ll want to make a holiday tradition. If the North Pole Express is sold out, this is the one I’d book. Coopersville is just northwest of Grand Rapids, and the Santa Train is one of the most popular Christmas train rides in Michigan.

It’s a 90-minute round trip on a vintage train, and elves escort the kids to sit with Santa and share their wish lists along the way.

2026 Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 20
Price: $38–$47 per person, depending on seating
Tickets: On sale now

💡 Insider Tip: Arrive about 30 minutes early to explore the depot and use the restrooms before boarding. Weekends closest to Christmas go first.

Little River Railroad’s Christmas Express
Little River Railroad, 29 W. Park Ave. Coldwater, MI 49036

Looking for a real country Christmas behind a steam engine? Take a ride through Branch County on Little River Railroad’s Christmas Express, with Santa riding along. Every ticket helps keep a steam railroad running.

2026 Dates: Dec. 5 and 12 at 1 and 4 p.m.; Dec. 6 and 13 at 1 p.m.
Also planned: A Christmas Express with a longer stop for holiday shopping in downtown Quincy (date to be announced)
Good to know: Tickets are nonrefundable, and the railroad asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

💡 Insider Tip: This is a real steam locomotive experience, and December in southern Michigan is cold. Dress like you’re going sledding, with a winter coat, hat, mittens and warm boots, and bring hand warmers for the kids.

Holiday Magic at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
6140 N Bray Rd, Flint, MI 48505

Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic turns the whole historic village into an old-fashioned Christmas town, and the Huckleberry Railroad runs evening trips along the shore of Mott Lake. 2026 is the village and railroad’s 50th anniversary year, so expect this one to be busy.

When: Holiday Magic typically runs from Thanksgiving weekend through late December. Check Genesee County Parks for the 2026 dates.
Duration: About a 40-minute train ride, plus a few hours in the village

💡 Insider Tip: Book one of the later train times and explore the village first. The lights look even better after dark, and the covered bridge makes a great photo spot.

More Michigan Santa Trains

These smaller, mostly volunteer-run trains post their schedules later in the fall. Each one has run for years, so check back in November for 2026 dates.

Southern Michigan Railroad Santa Express
10990 Tecumseh-Clinton Hwy, Clinton, Michigan

You’ll hear those sleigh bells jingling as soon as you step aboard for a short ride to a North Pole stop, where kids get to tell Santa just how good they’ve been this year. It’s quicker and simpler than the big excursions, which makes it a good fit for little ones. The volunteer-run Southern Michigan Railroad Society has been preserving this line since 1982.

💡 Insider Tip: Ask about the private caboose for a family group. It gets you your own space, and it’s a fun splurge for extended family. Dress warmly, since you’ll be outside while you wait and at the North Pole stop.

Holiday Express — Clinton Township

Clinton Township Parks & Recreation and the Michigan Transit Museum team up on a Polar Express-style family ride on select December weekends, an easy option for metro Detroit families who can’t make the drive to Owosso.

Northern Star Train Midland

In past years, Midland has offered a short, free train ride around downtown in December, departing from Santa’s House at the Midland County Courthouse, where you can visit with the jolly man himself. It’s an open-air ride, so bundle up.

Peacock Road Family Farm
11854 Peacock Road, Laingsburg MI 48848

Take a ride on the Peacock Express to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at their cabin in the woods. You’ll pass the farm and its reindeer herd, then go over the river and through the woods to Santa’s cabin. Watch carefully, because Santa will be waiting as you come around the bend.

Michigan Christmas Train FAQ

Is there a real Polar Express train in Michigan?

Yes. The Pere Marquette 1225, the steam engine the movie’s train was modeled on, runs the North Pole Express from Owosso to Ashley every holiday season, and it’s operated by the Steam Railroading Institute.

When do North Pole Express tickets go on sale?

For 2026, they went on sale April 1, months earlier than in past years, and many dates sold out by May. Watch the Steam Railroading Institute’s announcements in early spring for next season.

Which Michigan Christmas train is best for little kids?

Shorter rides work best for toddlers. The Southern Michigan Railroad Santa Express and Peacock Road Family Farm keep it short, while Coopersville’s 90-minute Santa Train suits kids who can sit still a little longer.

Want More Train Rides in Michigan?

I have a whole guide to the top train rides in Michigan that you can take almost any time of the year, and a roundup of Michigan fall color train rides if you’re thinking about next autumn.

Planning your Michigan Christmas adventure?

Check out my Christmas lights in Michigan guide and my guide to the best Michigan towns to visit at Christmas for more holiday ideas. Whichever train you land on, go early in the season, when the excitement is still brand new.

Last updated: October 2026