Event · Community

The Polar Express Train Ride at the Southern California Railway Museum

When

Wed, Nov 11Select dates Nov 11 – Dec 31, 2026; departures at 11:30, 1:30, 4:00, 6:00 and/or 8:00 depending on the date (no rides Nov 26 or Dec 25). See the 2026 price calendar.

Where

Southern California Railway Museum2201 S. A Street, Perris, CA 92570Open in Google Maps ↗

Ages

All ages; child tickets ages 2-11; children under two ride free on an adult's lap

Cost

Value Departures: $56.25 Adult, $49.25 Child (2-11); Standard $74.25/$67.25; Premium $88.25/$81.25 (all-in pricing incl. fees); parking $6 per vehicleWheelchair spaces bookable online; no wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the train (accessible restrooms on the grounds). Sensory-friendly departures available. ASL interpreter on request with 4 weeks' notice.

Organizer

Southern California Railway Museum / Rail Events Productions

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11 · Thu, Nov 12 · Fri, Nov 13 · Sat, Nov 14 · Sun, Nov 15 · Tue, Nov 17 · Wed, Nov 18 · Thu, Nov 19 · Fri, Nov 20 · Sat, Nov 21 · Sun, Nov 22 · Tue, Nov 24 · Wed, Nov 25 · Fri, Nov 27 · Sat, Nov 28 · Sun, Nov 29 · Tue, Dec 1 · Wed, Dec 2 · Thu, Dec 3 · Fri, Dec 4 · Sat, Dec 5 · Sun, Dec 6 · Tue, Dec 8 · Wed, Dec 9 · Thu, Dec 10 · Fri, Dec 11 · Sat, Dec 12 · Sun, Dec 13 · Tue, Dec 15 · Wed, Dec 16 · Thu, Dec 17 · Fri, Dec 18 · Sat, Dec 19 · Sun, Dec 20 · Mon, Dec 21 · Tue, Dec 22 · Wed, Dec 23 · Thu, Dec 24 · Sat, Dec 26 · Sun, Dec 27 · Mon, Dec 28 · Tue, Dec 29 · Wed, Dec 30 · Thu, Dec 31

The Southern California Railway Museum in Perris hosts THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride on select November and December 2026 dates. Families board a real train for a roughly one-hour trip set to the film soundtrack: car hosts punch golden tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and Walkers shortbread, and passengers read along with Chris Van Allsburg's book. Santa boards the train to greet each passenger and hand out the first gift of Christmas, and every guest takes home a keepsake sleigh bell; performers lead caroling on the way back. New for 2026 there is no outdoor North Pole set — Santa's visit happens on board. The whole visit lasts about two hours, and guests are asked to arrive about 60 minutes before the listed showtime to park and check in. Pajamas are encouraged, but bring warm layers because the boarding platform is unheated. Children under two ride free on a lap (they receive a bell but no treat). Select departures are sensory-friendly, with softer audio and normal car lighting. Tickets are sold in Value, Standard and Premium tiers by date and time; parking is a separate $6 per vehicle.