Wisconsin Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 6, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Wisconsin Christmas trains that are not Polar Express: Mid-Continent Railway Museum Santa Express at North Freedom, East Troy Electric Railroad Christmas Trains, and (when posted) Wisconsin Great Northern’s pizza-and-Santa trips at Trego. Licensed Polar Express is the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay. That 2026 season sold out on July 25. See the Wisconsin Polar page.
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad's Santa Pizza Train where even the cars are decorated for the event. A WGN Railroad photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Wisconsin Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Continent Railway Museum | North Freedom | Santa Express Nov. 28–29 and Dec. 5–6, 55 min, $30 / $18. Holiday Flyer Dec. 5 evenings (no Santa) | Museum Christmas page |
| East Troy Electric Railroad | East Troy | Daytime Christmas trains Nov. 27–29 and Dec. 4–6, 11–13, 18–20 plus evening Santa trains. ~2 hours total with Elegant Farmer layover. Adult $38 / child $34 listed. Public sale Oct. 12 | Museum site |
| Wisconsin Great Northern | Trego / Spooner | Santa Pizza Train in prior Novembers/Decembers (~2 hours). Confirm 2026 | Railroad site |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on each railroad before you book. Information compiled September 3, 2026. These are Christmas trains—not licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ events.
Christmas hosts
Mid-Continent Railway Museum
(North Freedom): E8948 Museum Road, Baraboo Hills, former C&NW. The 31st Santa Express is a 55-minute, 7-mile round trip in early-1900s coaches with Santa at your seat and a small gift for children. Cars are stove- or steam-heated. Diesel power. Museum buildings are included. The December 5 Holiday Flyer evenings are cocoa and cookies without Santa. A 21+ Holiday Nightcap is a different ticket.
2026: Santa Express Saturday–Sunday November 28–29 and December 5–6 at 10:00, 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30. Adult $30, child 3–15 $18, infant 2 and under free. Holiday Flyer December 5 at 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. midcontinent.org.
East Troy Electric Railroad
(East Troy): 2002 Church Street. Interurban remnant to the Elegant Farmer. Daytime Christmas Trains are about two hours: 30 minutes out, an hour at Santa’s workshop, 30 minutes back. Heated trolleys. Child and toddler tickets include a gift. Evening Santa trains and the long-running Christmas Parade Train (Santa from Elegant Farmer into town) are separate listings. Board at East Troy Depot only.
2026: Museum calendar lists November 27, 28, 29 and December 4–6, 11–13, 18–20. Daytime adult $38 / child 3–14 $34 / infant $12; members less. Member presale October 6; public October 12 at noon. easttroyrr.org.
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
(Trego): Former C&NW Spooner–Springbrook tourist line. Prior holidays sold a Santa Pizza Train~two hours with pizza, cocoa, cookies, a gift, and Santa. Confirm 2026 at spoonertrainride.com.
Planning tips
- If you wanted Green Bay Polar Express, 2026 is sold out. Do not treat Mid-Continent or East Troy as Polar substitutes.
- North Freedom and East Troy are opposite corners of the southern half of the state. Pick one day.
- East Troy public sale is October 12. Mid-Continent Santa Express is already on FareHarbor.
- Holiday Flyer at Mid-Continent does not include Santa. Book Santa Express if that is the point.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Mid-Continent Christmas trains
- Wisconsin Polar Express 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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