polar express

Calling all train lovers. Christmas train rides are some of the first holiday tickets to sell out around Indianapolis, so book early. Here are the Santa trains, the Polar Express train ride in French Lick and a few light-show rides, from Noblesville to northern Indiana and just across the state line. Holiday Train Rides Near Indianapolis 2026 Reindeer Express Location: Nickel Plate Express, check in at Hobbs Station, 825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville Dates: Select days Nov. 14-Dec. 23 Price: Standard seats for two are $95 in November and $115 in December; groups of four are $180 and $230. Private tables run $142 to $328, and a private caboose for up to 20 is $800 to $900. Reindeer Express tickets The Reindeer Express, also known as the Reindeer Ride Express, is a 75-minute round trip from Noblesville that crosses Morse Reservoir on the way toward Arcadia, with a visit from Santa and a holiday cookie for everyone. Standard seats get chocolate milk; tables and the caboose get hot chocolate. Kids write a letter to Santa that goes to the North Pole post office. Children 2 and under ride free on a lap in Standard seating only. Seating is upstairs, and the cars are not accessible. Related Article: Holiday Festivals near Indianapolis Sullivan Express at Sullivan Hardware Location: Sullivan Hardware, 6955 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis Dates: End of November into December* Tickets on sale: Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m. Sullivan Express details Price: Sold by the train car, which fits about four adults and two small kids* Sullivan Hardware's Christmas train leaves from Central Station inside the Keystone store. The Traditional Sullivan Express takes about 30 minutes, including a 15-minute visit with Santa at a heated indoor North Pole. Santa's Outpost is a 17-minute nonstop ride with a quick wave, a selfie with Santa and a cookie. The ride is open-air and runs rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Sullivan Hardware says tickets sell out fast and most days are full, so be ready at 4 p.m. on Nov. 1. Refunds and exchanges are available up to 24 hours before your ticket time. *2026 dates and prices have not been released yet. We will update as soon as they are announced. Snowfall Express at the Indiana State Museum Location: Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis Dates: Daily Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Dec. 25 Price: Included with museum admission: $23 adults, $21 seniors, $17 ages 3-17, free for kids under 3 and members, $5 with an Access Pass. Indiana State Museum tickets The Snowfall Express rolls through a snowy forest of scenes that move with music at Celebration Crossing, where you'll also find Santa's House, the Reindeer Barn and the original L.S. Ayres Santa Claus Express. On opening day, Friday, Nov. 27, Santa arrives by helicopter at 10:30 a.m. Admission includes a $4 parking validation, and buying online saves $1 per ticket. Glimmer Lights: Piney Acres Express Location: Piney Acres Farm, 1115 E. 1000 N., Fortville Dates: Starts Nov. 21* Price: Tickets have not been released yet. Every child old enough to walk needs a ticket.* Piney Acres events page Climb aboard the Piney Acres Express for a 20-minute ride to the "North Pole" through Christmas light displays on the tree farm, with hot cocoa and a cookie for each rider. Santa waits in his cabin. The train runs in rain or snow but is not wheelchair accessible. *2026 information has not been released yet. We will update as soon as it is announced. Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure Location: Nickel Plate Express, check in at Santa's House in Forest Park, 825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville Dates: Select nights Nov. 19-Dec. 31; rides at 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Price: $24.95 per rider or $89.95 for a four-person bike. Railbike tickets Not a train, but it rides the same rails. Families pedal open-air railbikes through holiday lights and a 60-foot light tunnel, stop for hot chocolate and a cookie, then pedal back, about an hour in all. Dress warmly and bring a small blanket. Kids under 3 ride free in an infant carrier you bring. Christmas Train Rides Around Indiana The Polar Express Train Ride in French Lick Location: French Lick Scenic Railway, 8594 W. State Road 56, French Lick Dates: Select days in November and December; most dates are sold out Price: $45 to $115 per person depending on the date and seat; kids under 2 ride free on a lap. First Class and Dome Class are sold out. The Polar Express tickets The conductor punches golden tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie, and Santa boards to give every guest a silver sleigh bell on this roughly 75-minute ride. Pajamas are encouraged. Arrive an hour early because trains leave on time, and know that tickets are nonrefundable. Indiana Christmas Train Location: Indiana Rail Experience, 1469 W. Main St., Pleasant Lake Dates: Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-22 Price: Deluxe Coach is $35 for ages 4-17 and $45 for adults, or $135 for a family package of four. First Class and private options run $115 to $1,500. Kids 3 and under ride free without a seat in Deluxe Coach. Indiana Christmas Train tickets Santa walks the train on this 90-minute diesel trip through the northeast Indiana countryside, with live music on board. The Christmas Kitchen car bakes treats on board for its private tables. Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 are nearly sold out. Reindeer Run Location: Indiana Rail Experience; departs from Edon, Ohio (Nov. 27), Hudson, Ind. (Nov. 28) and South Milford, Ind. (Nov. 29) Dates: Nov. 27-29, with three or four departures a day Price: Deluxe Coach is $17 for ages 4-17 and $30 for adults, or $85 for a family package of four. Kids 3 and under ride free without a seat. Reindeer Run tickets This one-hour diesel ride is built for younger kids, with Christmas music, seasonal decorations and a visit from Santa. Each town hosts the train for one day, so pick the one closest to you. Hoosier Valley Railroad Santa Train Location: Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, 507 Mulberry St., North Judson Dates: Saturdays, Nov. 21 and 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19; trains at 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Central Price: Coach is $30 for adults and $25 for ages 3-15; Economy Coach is $25 and $20. First Class is $35, and kids 2 and under ride free on a lap. Santa Train tickets This one-hour ride from the North Judson depot rolls past quiet winter fields before a visit and photos with Santa, and every child gets a gift. There are no working restrooms on the train, so stop before you board, and arrive 30 minutes early. Santa's Candy Cane Express Location: Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E. 1000 N., Hesston (La Porte County) Dates: Dec. 5-6 and 12-13, noon to 4 p.m. Central Price: $9 for adults and $5 for kids under 13, sold online; no museum admission charge Visit Santa in a real railroad caboose, sip cocoa from Doc's Soda Fountain and ride up to three of the museum's railroads, weather permitting. Parking is free. Bonus: 4 More Holiday Train Rides Just Outside Indiana These are worth the drive if the Indiana trains are booked. North Pole Express in Lebanon, Ohio Location: LM&M Railroad, 16 E. South St., Lebanon, Ohio Distance from Indianapolis: About two hours Dates: Select days Nov. 20-Dec. 23 Price: Coach is $40 to $55 per person and Deluxe is $50 to $65, depending on the date and age; infants under 2 are $10. North Pole Express tickets Santa and his elves ride along on this 75-minute trip through Warren County, Ohio, in cars decorated with holiday lights. Every child gets a souvenir bell and a holiday cookie, and hot chocolate is sold at the station. Santa Train on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Location: Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville, Ohio Distance from Indianapolis: About 3.5 hours Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 20; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends, plus 6 p.m. trains on select nights Price: $26 for adults, $21 for ages 3-12 and $22 for seniors and military; kids under 3 ride free on a lap. Santa Train tickets Ride about two hours along the Hocking River valley in heated, decorated coaches, with Christmas music and a visit from Santa for every child, plus a candy cane. Pick up paper tickets at the depot. Holiday Express at Blackberry Farm Location: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, Ill. Distance from Indianapolis: About 3.5 hours Dates: Dec. 4-20, with a sensory-friendly night Friday, Dec. 4 Price: $11 for everyone 1 and up. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m. through the Fox Valley Park District. The short train runs continuously, so ride as many times as you like, then visit Santa at the Carriage Museum, play in Sugar Plum Playland and see the lights and displays. A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park Location: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio Distance from Indianapolis: About two hours Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 30, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 Price: Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for ages 3-17; kids 2 and under are free. Train rides cost extra: $5 per person on the Carillon Park Railroad and $1 per person on the Midnight Express. A Carillon Christmas details The park's 65-acre campus is strung with thousands of lights, and two trains run through the evening. The Carillon Park Railroad is a narrated, mile-long ride on a replica of one of the first trains to arrive in Dayton. The Midnight Express is a miniature train through a light display meant to feel like a trip to the North Pole. Santa is in the Heritage Center through Dec. 23, and kids can write him a letter in Newcom Tavern. Upcoming Holiday Train Rides

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