All aboard! Ride the Polar Express or take your family on a special Christmas Train ride this Holiday Season! Keep in mind that tickets for many of these events sell out early.
While our list is of this region of the Midwest, if you are traveling elsewhere, Trains.com has a good nationwide list to checkout!
As details may change, it is always a good idea to verify with the business before visiting.
PLEASE NOTE: Many events require pre-registration, have limited capacity, or offer timed slots. As things continue to change during this time, it is highly recommended to verify details, closures, cancelations, hours of operation, and any requirements or procedures for guests before visiting. Thank You!
Iowa
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th St., Boone, IA (156 miles from Omaha/49 miles North of Des Moines)
Select Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays November 28th – December 21st
Tickets: All Tickets on sale November 1st 2025
The North Pole Express
Midwest Central Railroad, Mount Pleasant, IA (270 miles from Omaha/49 miles South of Iowa City)
Select Dates: December 6 – 7, 13 – 14, 20 – 21
Tickets: All tickets go on sale on November 1, 2025
Watson Steam Train & Depot
800 W. Huron St., Missouri Valley, IA (25 miles from Omaha)
Select Date: Dec 6th 11:00am – 4:00pm
Kansas
Abilene & Smoky Valley’s Cowtown Santa Express Train
Abilene, KS (233 miles Southwest of Omaha)
Select Date: November 22nd – Dec 23rd.
Tickets: Tickets on Sale Now
Missouri
The Polar Express – Branson
Branson Scenic Railway, Branson, MO
Select Dates: Select dates, Nov. 13 – Jan. 3, 2025
Tickets: Book online or call the box office at (417) 334-6110.
Departing from Downtown Branson, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story led by our talented staff on board a real train. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! Passengers are served hot chocolate and a treat by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book by Chris Van Allsburg, and receive the First Gift of Christmas after Santa boards the train to greet families. Performers engage passengers in caroling and fun holiday activities on the heartwarming trip back to the station.
The Polar Express Train Ride – St. Louis
St. Louis Union Station
Select Dates: November 14th – Dec 30th (No rides on Thanksgiving or Christmas)
Tickets: Book online – package options available
St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway The Santa Express
225 East Jackson Blvd., Intersection of Highway 61 & 25, Jackson, MO (Located 100 miles south of St. Louis, MO)
Select Dates TBD – Watch their Facebook for updates on tickets sales and dates
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on January 18 ONLY at the depot and by phone only. For tickets by phone call on Jan 18 ONLY – 573-243-1688
Enjoy the most magical time on our Christmas train. Filled with fun, enjoy the antics on the Iron Mountain as our Christmas special guests attempt to land Santa on our moving train. If we are successful, you will get to visit with him too! Games, songs, fun, and Christmas magic fill this train to the brim. Our volunteers work very hard to make sure that this is an amazing time.
South Dakota
Holiday Express
1880 Train, Black Hills Central Railroad, 222 Railroad Ave., Hill City, SD (located in Black Hills National Forest, 8 hours from Omaha)
Select Dates Nov. 26, 28-29 and various dates between Dec. 6-28, 2025
Tickets: Purchase tickets online
Santa will board the train and ride back to Hill City, taking time to visit with each child on the way. Passengers enjoy hot cocoa, a sugar cookie, and a special story on the way to the North Pole. Santa will hand out a small sleigh bell to each child on the trip.
Keep updated on the latest Omaha fun and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!
