Minnesota Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 2, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Minnesota’s Christmas trains are three different nights: Duluth’s Christmas City Express at the depot museum, St. Paul’s North Pole Express on Friends of the 261 cars at Union Depot, and Minneapolis’s short Holly Trolley at Lake Harriet. None of these are licensed Polar Express. If you want the franchise story, start at the Polar Express hub.
Minnesota Streetcar Museum's "Holly Trolley" event for Chirstmas. Museum photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Minnesota Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore Scenic Railroad | Duluth | Christmas City Express—story at the museum plus ~30 min waterfront ride (~90 min total). 2026 calendar not posted as of late August; 2025 was Nov. 28–Dec. 21 weekends | Christmas City Express 2026 |
| Friends of the 261 | St. Paul | North Pole Express, Dec. 4–6 and 10–13. ~90 min from Union Depot. Sale Aug. 1. Not 261 steam | 261 North Pole Express 2026 |
| Minnesota Streetcar Museum | Minneapolis (Linden Hills) | Holly Trolley Nov. 28–29 and Dec. 5–6, noon–3:30 p.m., ~25 min, $5. Santa’s Storytime Nov. 28 evenings. Vinternatt when posted | Museum site |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on each railroad before you book. Information compiled September 1, 2026. These are Christmas trains—not licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ events.
Christmas hosts
North Shore Scenic Railroad
(Duluth): Lake Superior Railroad Museum at the 1892 depot, 506 West Michigan Street. Christmas City Express is a live story first, then about 30 minutes along the harbor. Cocoa and cookies come with the ticket. Many nights you can see Bentleyville Tour of Lights across the water. It is built for kids under 10. Diesel as scheduled. The railroad sometimes lists a separate Bentleyville train and other holiday products (Christmas Tree Train, Julebyen)—those are different tickets.
2026: Confirm the live grid on duluthtrains.com. 2025 ran Fridays–Sundays November 28–December 21. Full product page: Christmas City Express 2026.
Friends of the 261
(St. Paul): Union Depot, Gate C, 240 Kellogg Blvd. E. North Pole Express is the nonprofit’s December fundraiser: about 90 minutes, roughly an hour on restored passenger cars to a North Pole set at the east end of the depot property. Santa is on the trip. It is not a mainline outing behind Milwaukee Road 261, and it is not Polar Express. Tickets went on sale August 1.
2026: December 4–6 and 10–13. Confirm classes and fares on 261.com/npe. Full product page: Friends of the 261 North Pole Express 2026.
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
(Minneapolis): Como-Harriet Streetcar Line between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska. Board at Linden Hills Station (Queen Avenue South at West 42nd). Holly Trolley is a decorated historic streetcar with Santa aboard, about 25 minutes, so he can visit each child. $5 per passenger as listed. Tickets are trip-specific and sold that morning at the station (about 11:30 a.m. for any ride that day). Bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if you can. Boy Scouts sell cocoa, s’mores kits, and hot dogs outside.
Santa’s Storytime (listed as an Evening with Santa) is Saturday, November 28, trips at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m., $15, ticket required in advance. Vinternatt is a separate evening of lights on the line when posted—confirm the 2026 night on trolleyride.org.
2026: Holly Trolley Saturday and Sunday November 28–29 and December 5–6, noon to 3:30 p.m. trolleyride.org.
Planning tips
- Duluth, St. Paul, and Linden Hills are three different trips. Do not treat them as interchangeable.
- Union Depot parking and one-way streets eat the hour. Arrive as 261 directs.
- Holly Trolley tickets are often same-day at the station. Have a backup if the first trip is gone.
- Dress for Minnesota December platforms even on a short trolley.
- Minnesota does not host a 2026 licensed Polar Express ride. Other states are on the Polar Express hub.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- North Shore Scenic Christmas City Express 2026
- Friends of the 261 North Pole Express 2026
- Minnesota 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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