Polar Express and Christmas Trains
Near Chicago 2025

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Happy Holiday Railway
Union
Saturdays & Sundays, November 28-December 22
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. Visit the website here.

Villa Park Holiday Train Ride
Villa Park
Saturday, December 6
Just like in The Polar Express, kids can wear their pajamas on the train for a ride to "The North Pole" (aka Elburn) aboard the UP Western Line from Villa Park. The event includes a story and a visit with Santa. Visit the website here.

CASA Christmas Express
New Lenox
Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7
Ride the Polar Express from New Lenox to Tinley Park, where families can enjoy breakfast or lunch at Harald Viking Lodge. The event includes visits and photos with Santa, holiday cookies, activities throughout the day, and goody bags and souvenirs for children. Proceeds benefit Will and Grundy County children experiencing abuse or neglect. Visit the website here.

Polar Express Story Time Train Addison
Itasca
Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7
The magic of the Polar Express leaves the Itasca Metra Station en route to the North Pole on December 7 and 8. Each date has two time options available. Riders can enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of the classic children's book on board the train. Visit the website here.

The Polar Express Storytime Train Frankfort
Frankfort 
Sunday, December 7
Children can travel from the Hickory Creek Metra Station to the "North Pole," where they will find Santa and bring him back to the south suburb. Santa's elves will make balloon animals and read stories on the way. Visit the website here.

Oswego Holiday Express
Oswego
Friday, December 12-Sunday, December 14
Get in your pajamas and enjoy a train ride with Santa from South Point Station. Mrs. Claus greets kids with hot cocoa from The Village Grind before families board trains that leave every 20 minutes throughout their session. Visit the website here.

Winfield Santa's Trolley Express
South Elgin
Saturday, December 20
Celebrate the season with a heartwarming holiday train ride that's bursting with nostalgia, joy, and festive wonder! Climb aboard our beautifully decorated 1950s vintage elevated cars and journey down an authentic train line dating back to 1986- an unforgettable adventure your entire family will cherish. As the train rolls along, the magic continues with a very special guest- Santa Claus himself- who will visit each family for merry chats, posing for cheerful selfies, and spreading holiday cheer that will delight both kids and grown-ups alike. Visit the website here.

Bloomingdale Jolly Holiday Train Ride
Roselle
Friday, December 12-Saturday, December 13
All aboard the Holly Jolly Train! Bring the family on a magical train ride to enjoy a story, caroling, mile & cookies, and a very special guest! Space will be limited. This program meets at the Roselle Metra Station. Riders will recieve their boarding passes at check-in time. Visit the website here.

Fox River Trolley Polar Express
South Elgin
Fridays through Sundays, November 28-December 21
Kids can relive the holiday classic book The Polar Express on this magical trip from the Fox River Trolley Museum. The train will go to the North Pole, where kids can meet Santa and receive a small gift. Each trip takes about one hour. Visit the website here.

Barrington Express to Santa's Workshop
Barrington
Saturday, December 13
Children and their accompanying adult will take the Metra train from Barrington Station to the Moose Lodge on the famous Woodstock Square! While riding to Santa's Workshop in the North Pole, holiday stories will be read and carols will be sung. At the lodge, cookies will be provided to decorate, and the kids will make a holiday craft while enjoying their cookies, hot chocolate or cider. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance to say "HO HO Hello" and give the kids a treat bag. Registration opens October 21 for Barrington residents and October 24 for non-residents. Visit the website here.

Polar Express Mount Prospect
When you sign up for the River Trails Park District's Polar Express, your child receives an individual letter inviting them to the Mount Prospect Metra Station, where they can ride to the North Pole. Each child also receives a goody bag on the train as they ride to the North Pole to meet Santa. Visit the website here.

St. Charles Winter Wonderland Express
LaFox
Saturday, December 6 (Sunday, December 7 sold out)
Celebrate winter your way by hopping aboard the Winter Wonderland Express with your friends and family. Enjoy a magical experience full of holiday cheer and be greeted by a special guest. Savor a delicious pizza & salad meal, topped off with a sweet treat. Visit the website here.

Roselle Polar Express
Roselle
Saturday, December 6
Board the Polar Express at the Roselle Train Station and enjoy Christmas carols, milk and cookies, and a visit from Santa! The ride lasts one hour and is subject to Metra's schedule. Visit the website here.

Mini-Train and Trolley Events (Metra Ride Not Included)

Blackberry Farm Holiday Express
Aurora
Fridays through Sundays, December 6-21
See the thousands of twinkling lights at Blackberry Farm while riding the Holiday Express around Lake Gregory. Kids can also take a hay ride, make crafts, visit the reindeer food bar, and enjoy holiday story time readings at the one-room school house. Santa will be available for visits. Visit the website here.

Oak Brook Holiday Express Trolley
Oak Book
Sunday, December 14
Believers of all ages can take a trolley ride to the North Pole at this Oak Brook Park District event. Activities include crafts, a reading of The Polar Express, a bounce house, and refreshments. Visit the website here.

Holly Jolly Trolley in the Ridge
Chicago Ridge
Saturdays, December 13 and 20
Take a tour of Chicago Ridge's holiday lights aboard the trolley. Then come inside the community center to visit with Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Visit the website here.

The following events are on waitlist.

Franklin Park Polar Express (WAITLIST)
Climb aboard the Polar Express in Franklin Park for a 20-minute ride to the North Pole (in Elgin). The ride includes cookies, milk, caroling, and holiday stories on the train. Santa board the train in Elgin and rides back to Franklin Park with the kids. Visit the website here.

Itasca Polar Express (WAITLIST)
Enjoy a story, chocolate milk, cookies, and a visit from Santa aboard the Metra from Itasca to Elgin and back. Children can dress in their pajamas and will receive a special gift. Visit the website here.

Geneva Polar Express Storytime Train (WAITLIST)
Join the waitlist for 2025. Visit the website here.

Santa Trolley Express (WAITLIST)
Join the waitlist for 2025. Visit the website here.