Alabama Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 6, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Alabama’s Christmas trains sit at two museums: Heart of Dixie in Calera, south of Birmingham, and the North Alabama Railroad Museum at Chase, northeast of Huntsville. Calera runs the evening North Pole Express plus a daytime Christmas at the Station. Chase splits a daytime Santa Train from the evening pajama North Star Limited. There is no licensed Polar Express host in Alabama. See the Polar Express hub if that is the ticket you want.
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum's North Pole Express, a popular Christmas event that typically sells out quickly. HODRM photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Alabama Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum | Calera | North Pole Express, Fri–Sun Nov. 13–Dec. 20, evenings 5:00 / 6:30 / 8:00. ~1½ hours. Coach $30 / Entertainment Coach $40 / First Class $50; table car $250 (up to 4). Christmas at the Station daytime Dec. 5, 12, 19 | Museum site |
| North Alabama Railroad Museum | Chase / Huntsville | Santa Train (day) and North Star Limited (evening pajama). Etix lists from Dec. 4. Santa ~40 min; North Star ~45 min. Confirm remaining dates and fares | Chase Christmas page |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on each railroad before you book. Information compiled September 6, 2026. These are Christmas trains—not licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ events.
Christmas hosts
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
(Calera): 1919 9th Street. Official state railroad museum on about 5.5 miles of former L&N Alabama Mineral (Calera & Shelby). The evening North Pole Express is the main Christmas product: story and carols outbound, a stop among North Pole lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus boarding the train (nobody gets off), then a drink and treat on the return. Coach is $30 ages 2+; the entertainment gallery $40; First Class ($50) includes hot chocolate in a souvenir mug. A new table car is $250 for up to four. Infants under 24 months ride free in a lap except in the table car. The Frisco coach is not climate-controlled. Wheelchair space is in the Long Island car.
2026: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays November 13–December 20 at 5:00, 6:30, and 8:00 p.m. Arrive about 60 minutes early; will-call at the depot. Daytime Christmas at the Station is December 5, 12, and 19 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.—about 45 minutes on the decorated Calera & Shelby plus a narrow-gauge Candy Cane Lane ride. No North Pole layover on the day trains. hodrrm.org.
North Alabama Railroad Museum
(Chase): 694 Chase Road Northeast, Huntsville. Mercury & Chase Railroad on former NC&StL, boarding the restored Chase Union Depot. The daytime Santa Train is the short Santa visit (~40 minutes). The evening North Star Limited is the pajama product (~45 minutes): Santa, a child gift, a snack, enclosed heated coaches. VIP suites and roomettes on Coach 2006 are a different ticket from first-class coaches. Every rider needs a ticket on these specials, including infants.
2026: Public sale August 7 at 10:00 a.m. on Etix. Listed from Friday December 4 (North Star Limited 5:45 and 7:45 p.m.) with Santa Train on Saturday December 5 (noon, 1:30, 3:00). Confirm the rest of the December grid before you travel. narm.info. Overview: North Alabama Christmas trains.
Planning tips
- Alabama has no licensed Polar Express. Do not treat Calera or Chase as Polar substitutes.
- Calera and Chase are opposite ends of the state. Pick one day.
- Calera North Pole Express is evening only. Christmas at the Station is the daytime option.
- Chase Santa Train is day; North Star Limited is the pajama night train. Book the one you actually want.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- North Alabama Railroad Museum Christmas trains
- Alabama scenic train rides
- Christmas Train Ride Locations 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event names on each railroad’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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