Every November, a vintage locomotive rolls out of Old Sacramento’s waterfront station and heads for the North Pole — or at least the Sacramento version of it. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the California State Railroad Museum has become one of the region’s most sought-after holiday experiences, and for good reason: it’s an hour of uninterrupted Christmas magic, complete with hot chocolate on vintage rail cars, a reading of the classic story, and Santa Claus handing out silver sleigh bells.
For 2026, the event runs from November 13 through December 21. If past years are any indication, the most popular departure times sell out within days of tickets going on sale. Here’s what families need to know before they buy.
What the Polar Express Is
This is an officially licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event, presented by the California State Railroad Museum Foundation — the nonprofit partner of one of North America’s premier railroad museums in Old Sacramento. The train departs from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 930 Front Street on the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
Seven vintage cars make up the train, pulled by historic locomotives from the museum’s own collection. Passengers board at the station, where festive entertainment begins 35 minutes before departure. Once the train rolls, a narrator reads the story of The Polar Express aloud while onboard chefs deliver hot chocolate and a sweet treat to every seat. The train passes the “North Pole,” Santa boards for the return trip, and every passenger receives the first gift of Christmas: a silver sleigh bell. After disembarking, guests can walk across to the Eagle Theatre to spend more time with Santa in person.
The whole experience — from arrival to Santa visit — runs roughly two hours, with the train ride itself lasting about one hour.
Tickets and Seating
Tickets are sold through Etix and delivered digitally, emailed about one week before your departure date. There are two ticket tiers:
- Coach Class: $80–$85 per passenger. The Katy Car and Kris Kringle Coach Car are the largest cars, seating up to 76 passengers each in loveseat-style clusters of four facing each other. There is no reserved seating in coach; you line up and are assigned seats by staff. Groups of more or less than four may end up sharing a section with other passengers.
- First Class: $100–$110 per passenger. The El Dorado Observation Car (Parlor and Lounge sections) and the Audubon Dining Car seat passengers in groups of four around small tables. First Class tickets in the Dining Car and Sleigh Ride Car are sold by tables of four. First Class passengers also receive their hot chocolate in a commemorative mug. These tickets sell out first.
There is also the Sleigh Ride Car — an enclosed gondola with translucent window coverings — sold by tables of four. All fees are included in the ticket price.
Children under age two do not require a ticket, provided they ride on an adult’s lap. All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges are offered. Passengers who cannot attend may donate unused tickets back to the CSRM Foundation for a tax letter.
Practical Details Worth Knowing
A few logistics that catch first-timers off guard:
Arrive at least one hour before departure. Departure times are exact — miss your train and you will not be reboarded, and no refund will be issued. Allow extra buffer on weekday evenings when downtown Sacramento rush hour can slow I-5 approaches significantly.
Dress in pajamas. The museum encourages the whole family to arrive in their warmest holiday pajamas. Bring a copy of the book if you want the conductor to sign it. Wear sturdy footwear — the route to the Central Pacific Passenger Station crosses streets with packed granite and wooden boardwalks.
There are no restrooms on the train. Use the facilities at the station before boarding. The ride is one hour long.
Strollers are not allowed on board. Stroller parking is available just before boarding and will be guarded during the ride.
The station is covered but not fully heated and open to the elements. Dress accordingly, especially for evening departures in late November and December when Sacramento nights drop into the 40s.
Accessibility: Due to the historic narrow doorway widths and steep stepwells in the vintage cars, the experience is not fully accessible to guests using wheelchairs or oversize assistive devices. Contact the CSRM Foundation directly before purchasing if accessibility is a concern.
Getting There and Parking
The California State Railroad Museum is in Old Sacramento at 125 I Street; the departure point is the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 930 Front Street, one block from the museum entrance.
Street parking in Old Sacramento is time-limited to 90 minutes or less and is rarely available during evening events. The recommended option is the city parking lot on I Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, underneath Interstate 5 — the closest and most reasonably priced public lot. Pre-purchasing a parking reservation is strongly encouraged and can be done at reserve.sacpark.org under the California State Railroad Museum Parking listing.
Arriving by Amtrak is also a clean option: the Sacramento train depot is about two blocks from Old Sacramento, and Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor offers frequent service from the Bay Area.
The Details
- Dates: November 13 – December 21, 2026
- Location: Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front Street, Old Sacramento Waterfront
- Tickets: Via Etix at californiarailroad.museum — digital delivery, emailed approximately one week before departure
- Coach Class: $80–$85 per person (all fees included)
- First Class: $100–$110 per person (all fees included); Dining and Sleigh Ride Cars sold by table of four
- Under age 2: No ticket required if seated on adult’s lap
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour on the train; plan 2 hours total including pre-boarding show and Eagle Theatre
- Arrive: At least 1 hour before your departure time
- No refunds or exchanges
- No restrooms on the train
- No strollers on the train
- Pajamas encouraged
- Parking: Pre-purchase at reserve.sacpark.org (I Street lot under I-5)
Bottom Line
At $80–$110 per person, this is not a casual impulse outing — but for families who grew up reading the book or watching the film, it is one of the more genuinely transportive holiday experiences the Sacramento region offers. The vintage cars, the river-adjacent setting in Old Sacramento, and the Santa bell handoff deliver on the promise. The main caveat: book early. First Class and premium Sleigh Ride Car tables go quickly, and popular dates in late November and the two weekends before Christmas will sell out well ahead of the event.
Looking for more holiday plans? Browse the best Sacramento Christmas events for 2026, check out Sacramento’s holiday festivals and parades, or plan your whole December around the Sacramento Christmas lights guide, including Dovewood Court and the Fab 40s.
