November 28-29 & December 6-7, 13-14, 19-23, 2025
Tickets on Sale!
Whether you’re starting a family tradition, planning a festive date night, or celebrating with friends, climb aboard for a magical, two-hour experience inspired by the beloved holiday classic!
Slip into your coziest pajamas and climb aboard this enchanted train bound for the North Pole. Your adventure begins with a joyful live performance of “Hot Chocolate,” followed by a special moment with Santa himself—who presents each guest with the First Gift of Christmas: a silver sleigh bell.
When you arrive at our winter wonderland, the magic continues with holiday crafts, cozy s’mores, festive shopping, and a keepsake photo with Santa.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride brings the spirit of Christmas to life—for all who believe.
Tickets on Sale Now!
Please see each class of service below for pricing. Prices vary by date. Guests with accessible seating needs must select bronze class, where they and their party will receive priority boarding.
New in 2025: Gold Booths and Silver Quads Can Select Their Seats
Gold Class (Booth)
Our Gold Class (Booth) features heated cars and padded seats. Guests also enjoy:
- Priority boarding and superior view of the pre-performance show
- Booths with tables
- The ability to select your own seats (must be purchased in groups of 4)
- Live performances & sing-a-long carols
- Delicious hot cocoa and a sugar cookie served by dancing chefs
- Opportunities for pictures with Santa
- Souvenir Polar Express ™ mug – one per paid ticket
- Souvenir Polar Express ™ bag – one per group
And, of course, St. Nick will present each child with the first gift of Christmas; a silver bell from his sleigh.
Please Note: If you’re purchasing a mix of Gold Class booths and individual seats, please select Booth 4 and/or Booth 5, and every effort will be made to seat your party together.
| Nov. 28, 29 | Dec. 6, 7 | Dec. 13, 14 | Dec. 19-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $115 | $115 | $115 | $120 |
Gold Class (Individual)
Our Gold Class (Individual) features heated cars and padded seats. Guests also enjoy:
- Priority boarding and superior view of the pre-performance show
- Individual plush seats
- Live performances & sing-a-long carols
- Delicious hot cocoa and a sugar cookie served by dancing chefs
- Opportunities for pictures with Santa
- Souvenir Polar Express ™ mug – one per paid ticket
- Souvenir Polar Express ™ bag – one per group And, of course, St. Nick will present each child with the first gift of Christmas; a silver bell from his sleigh.
Please Note: If you’re purchasing a mix of Gold Class booths and individual seats, please select Booth 4 and/or Booth 5, and every effort will be made to seat your party together.
| Nov. 28, 29 | Dec. 6, 7 | Dec. 13, 14 | Dec. 19-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Individual Adult | $110 | $110 | $110 | $115 |
| Gold Individual Child | $100 | $100 | $100 | $105 |
Silver Class
Our Silver Class features heated cars and padded seats. Guests also enjoy:
- The ability to select your own seats (must be purchased in groups of 4)
- Family quad seating (two bench facing seats)
- Better viewing of the pre-performance and preferential train boarding (after Gold Class)
- Live performances & sing-a-long carols
- Delicious hot cocoa and a sugar cookie served by dancing chefs
- Opportunities for pictures with Santa
And, of course, St. Nick will present each child with the first gift of Christmas; a silver bell from his sleigh.
| Nov. 28, 29 | Dec. 6, 7 | Dec. 13, 14 | Dec. 19-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80 | $80 | $90 | $95 |
Bronze Class
Guests with accessible seating needs must select bronze class, where they and their party will receive priority boarding. Our general admission Bronze Class features heated cars and padded seats. All guests enjoy:
- Live performances & sing-a-long carols
- Delicious hot cocoa and a sugar cookie served by dancing chefs
- Opportunities for pictures with Santa
And, of course, St. Nick will present each child with the first gift of Christmas; a silver bell from his sleigh.
| Nov. 28, 29 | Dec. 6, 7 | Dec. 13, 14 | Dec. 19-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $60 | $60 | $70 | $75 |
| Child | $50 | $50 | $60 | $65 |
| Member Adult | $55 | $55 | $65 | $70 |
| Member Child | $45 | $45 | $55 | $60 |
Plan Your Visit
Add to Your Event Experience!
Enhance your North Pole experience after you ride The Polar Express™! These items can be added to your ticket purchase – Save 20% when you purchase a bundle!
- Santa’s Sleigh Ride $8– Climb aboard this kid’s ride located outside of the North Pole.
- S’mores at the Candy Cane Café $8 – Gather your family around one of our fire pits and enjoy S’mores for the holidays.
- Your very own Polar Express™ Book – What better way to remember your trip than to have your own Polar Express book to take home signed by Santa himself!
- Standard Size 11.38″ x 9″ x 0.38″: $21.99
- New This Year! Large Size 18″ x 14.12″ x 0.62″: $29.99
Tickets must be purchased in advance for all attendees ages 2 and up. Children under 2 are welcome, but must be seated in a lap.
When purchasing Gold individual and booth tickets, all tickets must be purchased in the same transaction to be seated together.
For those with mobility issues, please purchase Bronze tickets for The Polar Express™ train ride.
Tickets are non-refundable.
For exchanges, please contact Etix Customer Support.
Email: support@etix.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 am to 8 pm EST
Sunday: Noon to 8 pm EST
FREE secure parking is available at the B&O parking lot at 1100 James Street (entrance is on Arlington Street). Event entrance is through the North Car Shop off Arlington Street, not the main Museum entrance at 901 W. Pratt Street.
Visitors that require mobility accommodations can be dropped off at the top of the hill by the Arlington Street gate.
The time on your ticket is when the doors will open and you will be allowed entry to the event. Once you arrive in the Welcome Depot, you can enjoy pre-show concessions, a DJ and a dance floor, and get excited about hopping on the Polar Express!
Event map coming soon!
During the experience, you will meet Hero Boy and the Conductor, ride the Polar Express with dancing chefs, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and receive the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, from Santa himself! At the end of the train ride, you will arrive at the North Pole, where you can get photos with Santa, write him a special letter, participate in holiday crafts, and enjoy the festive decor and model train layouts!
Food and beverage available at our holiday Candy Cane Café located in the North Pole. Purchase a S’mores Kit at the café to make your own holiday treat over an open fire!
The museum is handicap accessible and ADA compliant. For those with mobility issues, please purchase Bronze tickets for The Polar Express™ train ride. Priority boarding will allow you to get settled on the train with the first group of visitors.
For our Neurodivergent visitors, the B&O has developed an extensive list of resources to make the experience more predictable and comfortable.
RESOURCES TO HELP PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT:
Sensory Map and Social Narratives coming soon!
ON-SITE RESOURCES AT THE EVENT:
- Take Home Sensory Kits: Sensory kits include various stimming objects, a sensory map, visual schedule cards, and earplugs. Kits can be picked up at Admissions during check-in or in the Roundhouse.
- Headphone Check-out: Full size headphones are available for check-out at Admissions. Headphones should be returned to Admissions prior to exiting the North Car Shop.
- Sensory Station: The Sensory Station features dim lighting, stimming furniture, soft landings, and is a Character Free Zone.
For questions regarding event accessibility or accommodations please contact us at edu@borail.org.
Pets are not permitted. We love your furry friends as much as you do, but please leave them at home!
This event is rain or shine. Please dress yourself and your family appropriately. In the event of winter weather, please visit the B&O Railroad Museum’s main webpage, borail.org, for any adjustments to the event schedule.
Concessions will be located inside the Welcome Depot allowing the purchase of snacks and drinks while waiting for the event to begin. In addition, the Candy Cane Café will be open in the North Pole (Bay 15 of the Roundhouse) for your dining pleasure after the train ride. Please note outside food may not be brought into the museum.
Candy Cane Café & Concessions menus coming soon!
Strollers are not permitted beyond the entrance. The B&O will provide a designated stroller check upon your entrance into the event and strollers may be retrieved at Santa’s baggage claim in the Roundhouse following your train ride.
Have more questions?
Please contact us through the form below.
