All Aboard! The Polar Express Returns to Sacramento and Jamestown

Get ready to believe! The annual holiday Polar Express train rides at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in Sacramento and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown are back for 2023! Tickets for both the CSRM and Railtown 1897 Polar Express train rides go on sale to most members September 11–15, 2023 (depending on your membership level) and to the general public on Monday, September 18. Member ticket sales begin at 9 am each day.

Californa State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897 members are eligible to participate in member advance ticket sales. Being a member greatly increases your chances of getting Polar Express tickets, which usually sell out within minutes when they go on sale to the general public. Tickets are available online only. In order to reserve member tickets, your membership must be active or renewed as of Thursday, August 31, 2023.

We highly recommend their "Conductor" family membership ($110), which offers free admission to the museum for two adults and their children or grandchildren plus two additional guests, free excursion train rides, a museum store discount, special members-only events, and more. You also get free admission and excursion train rides at Railtown 1897.

Polar Express Train Ride at the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento

Climb on board a train pulled by a historic streamlined diesel locomotive from the museum's collection and read along with Chris Van Allsburg's classic holiday story as you and your family make your round-trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa Claus, the Train Conductor, and the ghostly Hobo. Sing Christmas carols, drink hot-hot-hot chocolate, and eat cookies—served by dancing waiters, of course. Each child attending receives a special gift of a silver sleighbell, and children (and adults, for that matter) are encouraged to wear their pajamas.

Ride in the coach cars ($80 per person), first-class El Dorado Observation Car or the French Quarter Lounge Car ($100 per person), or reserve a table for four in the first class Audubon Dining Car ($400) or the open-air Sleigh Ride Car, a converted open-air car that offers a fantastic view of your trip to the North Pole ($320). First-class car admission includes a commemorative Polar Express train ride mug.

All fees are included in the ticket prices. Children under 2 years of age are free and must be seated on an adult's lap. Tickets must be picked up at will call on the day of your scheduled train ride. Tickets also include free admission to the museum.

Polar Express train rides take place November 24–December 20, 2023. Trains depart the Central Pacific Passenger Station in Old Town Sacramento at 3:30, 5, 6:30, and 8 pm Wednesday–Sunday as well as Tuesday, December 19. After the train ride, visit the Eagle Theater and have your children's pictures taken with Santa, visit the gift shop, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

We've ridden on the Polar Express and it's a truly magical experience! It's an extremely well done event, and a unique holiday treat that the whole family can enjoy. It's definitely worth the trip to Sacramento this holiday season.

For more information visit www.californiarailroad.museum or call (916) 445-8270. Tickets may only be ordered online.

Polar Express at Railtown 1897, Jamestown (Tuolumne County)

Due to the popularity of the Sacramento event, the CSRM's sister organization Railtown 1897 State Historic Park holds Polar Express train rides in the Gold Country town of Jamestown in Tuolumne County. Polar Express rides take place Friday–Sunday from November 24–December 17, 2023 at 4:30, 6, and 7:30 pm.

Tickets cost $80 per person, all fees included. Children under 2 are free and must be seated on an adult's lap. Tickets are sold only online and include admission to Railtown 1897, where you can shop and enjoy live entertainment as you wait for your train. You'll also get to go into the roundhouse, where you can meet Santa and get your photo taken with him. For more information, visit www.railtown1897.org.

While it's further away than Sacramento (Jamestown is about a three-hour drive from the Bay Area), Railtown 1897 is a fantastic and fun destination for train lovers of all ages. You can read all about our visit to Railtown here. Make a fun family getaway weekend of it and visit nearby Columbia State Historic Park, which usually holds Miner's Christmas living history events and other holiday happenings throughout December.