North Shore Scenic Christmas City Express (2026): Duluth Dates & Tips

Last revised: September 1, 2026

Duluth bills itself the Christmas City of the North. The North Shore Scenic Railroad leans into that with the Christmas City Express—a storybook evening at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum plus a short waterfront train ride. It is built for kids under 10 (and the adults who grin anyway). It is the railroad’s own Christmas product, not a licensed Polar Express event. Friends of the 261 run a separate North Pole Express at St. Paul Union Depot.

The North Shore Scenic Railroad's Christmas City Express, seen here led by historic DM&IR SD18 #193. North Shore Scenic photo.

About the North Shore Scenic Railroad

Trains leave the 1892 Duluth Depot at 506 West Michigan Street, home of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. The North Shore Scenic runs former Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range / downtown waterfront track along Lake Superior. Year-round products include the Duluth Zephyr, the Northwoods dinner train, and the SkyView dome. Christmas City Express is the family night: a performance first, then about 30 minutes on the train.

2026 Christmas City Express — At a Glance

Item	Detail
Product	Christmas City Express
Location	Duluth Depot / Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN 55802
2026 dates	Not posted as of August 30, 2026. 2025 ran Fridays–Sundays November 28 – December 21. Expect a similar late-November through mid-December weekend window—confirm on duluthtrains.com
Duration	About 90 minutes total (story first, then ~30 minutes on the train)
Power	Diesel as scheduled—confirm the listing. Not a steam product
Classes	Coach; SkyView Domecar upgrade when listed
Typical fares	2025 coach started about $40 adult / $35 child (ages 3+; 2 and under free); dome about $50; $5 Saturday premium. Confirm 2026 on the railroad site
Official site	duluthtrains.com

Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the operator before booking. Information compiled August 30, 2026. This is a Christmas train—not a licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event.

What the Ride Is Like

You check in at will call inside the museum. The night starts with a live reading of the Christmas City Express story, carols, and a special guest. Then you board for a short ride along the harbor. Hot chocolate and cookies come with the ticket. On many nights you can see Bentleyville Tour of Lights across the water. The museum is not open for general touring during the show; some seasons have offered discounted museum time if you arrive early—ask when you book.

This is a short-attention-span product on purpose. It is not a long scenic to Two Harbors. If you want a longer North Shore day, look at the railroad’s other holiday trains (Christmas Tree Train, Julebyen Express) when they are on the calendar.

Classes of Service & Onboard

Coach: Assigned seats; cocoa and cookies included
SkyView Domecar: Booth seating under the 85-foot glass dome; extra fare when offered
Arrive 15–20 minutes early for will call
The story is accessible; the historic train typically is not wheelchair-accessible. Confirm with the railroad
Strollers stay off the train. Service animals only
Dress for a Duluth waterfront night

Tickets & Practical Information

Booking: duluthtrains.com. Space is limited; weekends sell out. Day-of tickets, if any, start late afternoon at the depot office
Parking: City ramps at the Depot (Michigan Street) and 5th Avenue; paid train parking behind the complex. Follow “Train Parking” signs
Lodging: Canal Park and downtown Duluth. Bentleyville nights are busy
Polar Express: Minnesota’s Christmas City Express is not Polar. Licensed Polar rides are on the Polar Express hub. St. Paul’s Friends of the 261 North Pole Express is a different Christmas train

Tips for the Best Experience

Watch duluthtrains.com in early fall for the 2026 grid. 2025 sold Fridays 4:15–7:15 p.m., Saturdays from 3:15, Sundays a bit earlier
Fridays and Sundays often skip the Saturday premium
Bring layers. The ride is short; the platform is not
Do not confuse this with a Polar Express franchise ride