There are two holiday train rides that Sacramento families talk about every December, and they are not the same trip. The Polar Express runs through Old Sacramento on the California State Railroad Museum’s tracks downtown. The Magical Christmas Train rolls out of West Sacramento on the River Fox Train, with elves in every car, a live stop at Santa’s Village, and a standing invitation to show up in pajamas. If the Polar Express is the classic, the Magical Christmas Train is the local family favorite with a different kind of magic.
What It Is
The River Fox Train has operated excursions along a historic 14-mile stretch of Sacramento River farmland track since the early 2000s. For most of the year, the train runs beer trains, wine pairings, and murder mystery nights. Starting late November and running through Christmas, it shifts entirely into holiday mode.
The Magical Christmas Train is a one-hour round-trip experience designed primarily for families with young children. The train departs from the River Fox station near Elkhorn Park in West Sacramento. As soon as the train gets moving, Santa’s elves spread through the cars. They help kids compose and address their letters to Santa, lead the whole train in holiday sing-alongs, and keep the energy festive for the full ride. Each guest receives a complimentary hot cocoa and a cookie—included in the ticket price, no upsell required.
The destination is Santa’s Village, an off-train experience staged along the route. Passengers step off into a scene the organizers describe as “snow-dusted streets and festive decor.” There are photo opportunities throughout the village, and kids can hand their letters directly to Santa before the train makes its return trip.
The Experience in Practice
The River Fox Train encourages guests to wear pajamas, and based on reviews, most families take them up on it. Kids in holiday PJs, elves in character, and hot cocoa in hand—it reads more like a storybook than a typical holiday outing, and that is clearly the intent.
The train itself offers indoor car seating. Concessions beyond the included cocoa and cookie are available for purchase on board, and the station gift shop at the Old Town Square Mercantile carries River Fox souvenirs, books, hats, and kids’ items for anyone looking to extend the experience into gift territory.
Infants ride lap-only unless a standard ticket is purchased for them. If a group is booking across multiple reservations and wants to be seated together, the River Fox asks that riders note it in the “additional notes” field during checkout—they will try to accommodate it but cannot guarantee adjacent seating otherwise.
The River Fox is a zero-cash facility. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. Afterpay is available at checkout for anyone who wants to spread out the cost. Tickets are non-refundable, but the train will reschedule or issue a voucher if riders contact them at least 72 hours before their departure.
The Details
- Location: 18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento, CA 95691 — off I-5 at Exit 531, near Elkhorn Park
- Duration: Approximately one hour round-trip
- Runs: Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from late November through Christmas; check riverfoxtrain.com for specific 2026 dates and available times
- What’s included: Complimentary hot cocoa and cookie, elf-led sing-alongs and letter-writing to Santa, visit to Santa’s Village
- Dress code: Pajamas strongly encouraged
- Arrive: 30 minutes before your scheduled departure
- Check-in: No physical ticket—provide the name on the reservation at the station
- Parking: Free, ample parking at the station
- Payment: Credit card only (Visa, MC, Discover); Afterpay available
- Cancellation: Non-refundable; reschedule or voucher with 72+ hours notice
How It Compares to the Polar Express
Sacramento is lucky to have two distinct holiday train experiences. The Polar Express Train Ride in Sacramento runs out of Old Sacramento on a downtown railroad, leans heavily on the Warner Bros. film adaptation, and is a strong fit for families whose kids are attached to the movie. The Magical Christmas Train feels more original—no intellectual property license, just elves, farmland scenery, a real off-train village stop, and a venue that has spent years getting this kind of experience right.
Both sell out, and both are worth booking early. If you are trying to decide, the Polar Express skews toward ages four and up who know the film. The Magical Christmas Train works well for any family with young children, and the PJ tradition tends to make it feel more casual and slightly less staged.
While You’re in the Area
The River Fox station is about 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento. After the train ride, families heading back toward the city often pair the trip with a walk through Old Sacramento’s decorated storefronts and waterfront—the historic district goes all-in for the holidays, and parking near the Embarcadero is free in the evenings. Alternatively, it pairs well with a visit to the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink at Downtown Commons.
Bottom Line
The Magical Christmas Train is one of the Sacramento area’s more specific holiday outings—not a generic light show or a mall Santa, but a full one-hour experience with built-in structure, included food, and a memorable off-train stop. Tickets go fast on December weekends. Check riverfoxtrain.com for the 2026 date release, pick a morning or early afternoon departure if possible (kids’ energy runs higher), and show up in pajamas. The elves expect it.
For more Sacramento holiday events in December, see The Best Sacramento Christmas Events in 2026.
