National Railroad Museum THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (2026): Green Bay Dates & Tips

Published: August 20, 2026

Green Bay’s National Railroad Museum runs one of the Midwest’s most distinctive licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ productions: an indoor show in the Lenfestey Center, then a real train ride around the museum grounds. For 2026 the museum scheduled 40 shows over four weekends, November 20 through December 13 (Fridays–Sundays). Tickets sold out on July 25, 2026—the public on-sale morning. Keep this page for planning, wait-list discipline (there is none), and 2027 timing.

National Railroad Museum's Polar Express, one of the very well known such experiences based near Green Bay, Wisconsin. NRM photo.

About the National Railroad Museum

Congress recognized the Green Bay museum as a national railroad museum in 1958; the collection (including large steam and the museum’s signature pieces) sits at 2285 South Broadway. Polar Express is a museum fundraiser staged by staff plus more than 80 volunteers per show. Ticket fees support operations; the museum notes the purchase is not tax-deductible because services are exchanged.

2026 Polar Express — At a Glance

Item	Detail
Product	THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Location	National Railroad Museum, 2285 South Broadway, Green Bay, Wisconsin
2026 dates	November 20 – December 13, 2026, Fridays–Sundays (40 shows; 312 guests per show)
Inventory	Sold out as of July 25, 2026, 12:11 p.m.; museum will not add shows
Program length	~105 minutes (30 min pre-show + ~75 min program / train / Santa)
Train	Real vintage cars; ride is on the museum grounds, not a long scenic line
Classes (cars)	Northern Lights $35; Glacier Gulch $50 (ADA); Arctic Circle table $70 (blocks of 4); Spirit of the Season table $70 / lounge $75
Official site	nationalrrmuseum.org · TicketStar

Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the museum site. Information compiled August 19, 2026. Licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event.

What the Ride Is Like

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Guests check in, walk the Festival of Trees, shop exclusive Polar goods, and take conductor photos in the Lenfestey Center. The show starts on time with the Hot Chocolate Dance, cocoa and a cookie, and a dramatic reading of the book. The conductor then calls “All aboard” and leads the crowd outdoors to the depot.

The train portion is an interactive recreation of the story—not a decorated-yard sightseeing ride. Museum copy describes cold forests, a hobo encounter, Northern Lights, and polar bears. Santa’s visit style depends on your car: leisurely onboard greetings in Spirit of the Season and Arctic Circle; brief onboard plus depot visit for Glacier Gulch and Northern Lights.

Pajamas are welcome. Vintage cars have limited heat after you leave the 68–70°F theater—layers matter. There are no restrooms on the train.

Classes of Service

Northern Lights ($35): 1960s bilevel coach, 154 seats, general seating; Santa on the ride plus depot visit
Glacier Gulch ($50): 1920s single-level, 62 seats; handicap-accessible car; Santa plus depot visit
Arctic Circle ($70): 1920s diner, 48 seats, tables in blocks of four; Santa onboard only
Spirit of the Season ($70 table / $75 lounge): 1939 dinette-observation, 24 table + 20 lounge; Santa onboard only

Everyone needs a ticket, including lap infants. Polar tickets are not museum day-admission. Sales are final; no exchanges. The museum will not honor other cities’ Polar tickets or third-party resales.

Tickets & Practical Information

2026 on-sale: Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. via TicketStar only (online or 920-494-3401). 2025 sold out in under three hours; 2026 followed
Parking: Museum lots plus overflow at Cormier School across the street
Late arrival: After 30 minutes the train has left; no refunds
Licensing wall: Non-Polar Christmas trains → Christmas hub

Tips for the Best Experience

If you missed 2026, treat July 2027 like a foliage on-sale: computer, TicketStar firewall allowed, backup dates ready
Book Glacier Gulch if you need a lift / wheelchair space; other cars are not ADA
Noise-canceling headphones are loaned at the ticket desk—this is a loud live show, not a sensory-friendly edition
Do not buy third-party tickets