California Polar Express Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: August 21, 2026
By: Adam Burns
California still has three licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride hosts in 2026: the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento, Railtown 1897 in Jamestown, and the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris. Fillmore & Western’s Polar died with the railroad in 2021. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s Campo North Pole Limited is a holiday train, not an official The Polar Express event.
A licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California. Railtown 1897 photo.
This page lists licensed Polar Express only. Unlicensed Santa and North Pole trains → Christmas trains hub.
California Polar Express at a Glance
| Host | City | 2026 dates | Duration | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State Railroad Museum | Sacramento | Nov. 13 – Dec. 21 | ~1 hour aboard | CSRM Polar 2026 |
| Railtown 1897 SHP | Jamestown | Nov. 27 – Dec. 20 (Fri–Sun) | ~1 hour aboard | Railtown Polar 2026 |
| Southern California Railway Museum | Perris | Select Nov. 11 – Dec. 31 | ~1 hour | SCRM Polar 2026 |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the operator’s website before booking. Information compiled August 21, 2026. Licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ events only.
Licensed Hosts
California State Railroad Museum
(Sacramento): Polar boards the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 930 Front Street in Old Sacramento. Coach, First Class, and Sleigh Ride / Audubon tables of four. Public tickets were posted for September 18, 2026, 9 a.m. Pair the ride with the museum and the riverfront; it is not a Sierra snow-pass sightseeing trip.
2026: November 13 – December 21 (Wed–Mon pattern; fuller week after Thanksgiving). About one hour aboard, plus station entertainment. Book on californiarailroad.museum.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
(Jamestown): Sierra Railway’s movie-railroad shop town hosts Polar on Friday–Sunday nights. Coach has been listed around $85. Same public on-sale as CSRM: September 18. Steam on Polar is not a given—confirm the listing. This is a Gold Country overnight, not a Sacramento add-on you squeeze in after work.
2026: November 27 – December 20, Friday–Sunday. About one hour aboard. Book on railtown1897.org.
Southern California Railway Museum
(Perris): Inland Empire Polar on restored commuter cars—Coach only, seats facing the center aisle. Value / Standard / Premium are demand bands, not different cars. All-in Value from about $56.25 adult / $49.25 child (ages 2–11). Do not confuse with Campo’s North Pole Limited.
2026: Select dates about November 11 – December 31. About one hour. Book on socalthepolarexpressride.com.
Licensing Wall
- Fillmore & Western: Closed June 2021. Not a 2026 Polar host.
- Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (Campo) North Pole Limited: Holiday train, not licensed Polar → Christmas hub.
- Skunk Train, Roaring Camp, and other California Christmas / pumpkin specials are not Polar unless a Rail Events license is published.
Planning Tips
- Northern vs. Southern: Sacramento and Jamestown are separate road trips. Perris covers SoCal families.
- CSRM and Railtown share a September 18 public on-sale—have both calendars ready if you want Gold Country and the capital.
- Book lodging in Old Sacramento, Sonora/Jamestown, or the Inland Empire when you buy tickets.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- CSRM Sacramento Polar Express 2026
- Railtown 1897 Polar Express 2026
- SCRM Perris Polar Express 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
- Christmas Train Rides (non-Polar)
- California Fall Foliage Train Rides 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event dates on the operator’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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