Conway Scenic Santa’s Holiday Express (2026): North Conway Dates

Last revised: August 31, 2026

North Conway’s family Christmas train is Santa’s Holiday Express on the Conway Scenic Railroad—a daytime round trip on the Conway Branch from the 1874 station. Santa and elves work the cars. Cocoa and a cookie come with the mood. Coach starts at $27 adult / $21 child on the live product page. It is not a licensed Polar Express event, and it is not the evening Journey to the North Pole literacy-foundation charter. After Christmas the same branch becomes the Snow Train.

The North Conway, NH station decorated for Christmas

The historic, North Conway, New Hampshire station decorated for Christmas. The 1874 station was designed by Nathaniel J. Bradlee in a unique Russian-Victorian style. Conway Scenic Railway photo.

About Conway Scenic Railroad

Conway Scenic has run since 1974 from the Victorian station at 38 Norcross Circle in North Conway Village, on former Boston & Maine and Maine Central track. Summer is the Valley Train and the Mountaineer over Crawford Notch. Winter is Santa’s Holiday Express, then Snow Train, plus a Winter Mountaineer on select Saturdays. Holiday trains are diesel heritage power as scheduled—do not book expecting steam.

2026 Santa’s Holiday Express — At a Glance

Item	Detail
Product	Santa’s Holiday Express
Location	North Conway Station, 38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH 03860
2026 dates	Operator page: begins November 28. Typically Saturdays and Sundays (plus some holiday weekdays) into late December. Confirm the live calendar
Duration	About 60–80 minutes round trip on the Conway Branch
Power	Diesel as scheduled (heritage GP units in recent seasons). Steam not advertised for this product
Classes	Coach, Comfort Class, Observation Dome (2026 names; the railroad no longer uses First Class)
Typical fares	Coach has been listed from about $27 adult (13+) / $21 child (4–12); infants 3 and under free in Coach. Comfort Class and Observation Dome cost more—confirm pricing and fares before booking.
Official site	conwayscenic.com/excursions/santas-holiday-express

Schedules and fares change. Confirm on Conway Scenic before booking. Information compiled August 31, 2026. This is a Christmas train—not a licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event.

What the Ride Is Like

You board at North Conway and run the Valley line toward Conway Village—about 11 miles round trip through farm fields with the Moats in the background. Santa moves through the train instead of holding a depot line. Cars are decorated. Hosts keep the hour light. It is a daytime product, which is easier with small children than an evening theatrical.

Believe-in-Books Literacy Foundation still charters evening Journey to the North Pole trains some seasons. Those are a separate fundraiser, not the public Santa’s Holiday Express on the website. If you want the railroad’s advertised family ride, book Santa’s Holiday Express.

Classes of Service & Onboard

Coach: Standard seats; from about $27 / $21 when last listed
Comfort Class: Upgraded seating (replaces the old First Class name for 2026)
Observation Dome: Dome seats when that car is assigned
Snack-bar service is typical. There is no sit-down Dinner Train
Cocoa and a cookie are part of the tradition; confirm current inclusions at booking
Pajamas are a local sport. Wear shoes you can walk the platform in

Tickets & Practical Information

Booking: conwayscenic.com. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. were the first to sell in 2025
Station: Center of North Conway Village. Weekend parking is a project; arrive early
Lodging: North Conway and Intervale. Ski season overlaps December
Polar Express: New Hampshire does not currently host a licensed Polar Express train. See the Polar hub for other states

Tips for the Best Experience

Book Coach early if the budget is tight; Observation Dome is a small car
After Christmas, look at Snow Train on the same branch if you still want a winter ride without Santa
This is not Polar Express. No franchise story, no silver-bell license