In and around Kansas City, there are several fun and festive Santa Train experiences for families to enjoy during the holiday season. Here's a list of some popular options for 2024, including dates and details:
This guide has been made possible by: The Santa Rocket presented by Rock Island Rail
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The Santa Rocket - Rock Island Rail
Location: 1515 High Street, Baldwin City, KS 66006
Dates: The Santa Rocket Christmas Train starts on November 30, 2024, and runs through December 22, 2024. Specific dates and times vary, so be sure to check for availability on their website or by calling for details.
Details: The Santa Rocket train offers a magical journey to the North Pole, complete with festive decorations, hot cocoa, snacks, and a visit from Santa Claus himself! This family-friendly experience is perfect for creating holiday memories, with kids of all ages enjoying the fun-filled ride, including the chance to send letters to Santa through a special Post Office Car. Evening and daytime rides are available, offering a delightful escape for the whole family.
Price: Economy Coach seating starts at $19 per seat. Prices may vary based on seating and time of day, so it’s best to check the Ottawa Northern Railroad website for specific pricing and availability. For more information and to book your tickets, visit Ottawa Northern Railroad's website.
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Holiday Train Exhibits and Rides at Union Station's Holiday Reflections
Location: Union Station, Kansas City, MO
Dates: Nov. 22, 2024 - Jan 1., 2025
Details: Magical Sleigh Ride VR: Immerse yourself into a winter wonderland at Union Station's "Holiday Reflections". Take a thrilling ride in Santa’s magical sleigh with a virtual reality! Glide, fly, and slide around the world with Santa’s elves.
Holiday Model Train Exhibit: The Model Rail Exhibit you know and love has expanded into Grand Plaza. With over 800 feet of track, the Holiday Model Rail Exhibit has grown even larger this year! The display features eighteen consecutive running trains and a 15-foot, 3-D, lighted Kansas City Southern Rudy train engine!
Our Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train: Offers your little ones (under 48”) a ride thru a winter wonderland! Anchoring Main Street Kansas City at the north end, will be a spectacular, new 30-foot-tall tree filled with more than 1,500 dazzling crystal ornaments surrounded by the Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train. The littles will delight as they journey around the iridescent glow of the twinkling crystal tree and ornaments, complemented by a world of oversized toys.
Price: Holiday Model Rail Exhibit included with your admission to Holiday Reflections ($10). Ride-On Train and Sleigh VR are an additional fee, and only accessible with a paid ticket to Holiday Reflections. Reserve your ticket here: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/
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Powell Gardens Express Station
Location: 1609 N.W. US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061
Dates: Evergy Festival of Lights runs select weekends starting November 14th through January 4th.
Details: Inside the Garden Galleries greenhouses, warm up with hot chocolate or cider—spiked or non-alcoholic—amidst a festive peppermint display. Marvel at a beautiful poinsettia tree surrounded by Powell Gardens-grown poinsettias, white snapdragons, euphorbia, and dusty miller. Don’t miss the enchanting holiday train and railroad display from the MO-KAN Garden Railroaders, adding even more holiday magic to your night!
Price: Prices start around $20, but select add-on packages are available. Please note parking is not included in your ticket price and must be purchased separately. Click here to purchase your ticket: https://powellgardens.org/festival-of-lights/.
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Santa's Express Train at Ag Hall of Fame
Location: 630 N 126th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Date: December 7, 2024, from 10am-3pm
Details: Free pictures with Santa, hay wagon rides, children's holiday stories and activities, train rides and more!
Pricing & Booking: Admission is $5 per person, and free for age 1 and under. Payment accepted on site during the event. More info: https://www.aghalloffame.com/events.html
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Kansas City Northern Holiday Train
Location: 6060 NW Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO 64151
Date: December 14, 2024, from 12pm-4pm
Details: Bring the whole family down for a fun event with train rides and to celebrate your holiday! Bring a letter to mail to Santa, and plan to shop for train-themed stocking stuffers and punch cards! Make sure to bring come cocoa and cookies to snack on!
Pricing & Booking: Check out their social media for more information: https://www.facebook.com/KCNorthernMiniatureRR/events
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Holiday Express Train - CPKC
Location & Dates: November 28-December 1 (with 4 stops across KS and MO)
- Nov 28 3:15-3:30pm US Business 36 & Havester Road, Chillicothe, Missouri
- Nov 30 6:00-6:45pm Union Station 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri
- Dec 1 11:30am-12:00pm East 7 Street and East 10 Street, Pittsburg, Kansas
- Dec 1 1:30- 14:00 205 North Main Street, Joplin, Missouri
Details: Canadian Pacific KC has two train tours (the Holiday Train and Express Train) going through Canada and the U.S. to support local food banks across our network. Artists American Authors and KT Tunstall will perform in front of the lighted train's stage. CPKC makes a donation to the local food bank at every stop and encourages everyone to pitch in with a cash donation or bring along some heart-healthy food. Since it first started in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised over $24.3 million and collected around 5.3 million pounds of food for food banks across Canada and the U.S. At most stops, you can hop on the train, meet Santa and his elves, and take a tour of one of the festively decorated train cars!
Pricing & Booking: The Holiday Express Train is free to the public. However, space is limited and reservations may be required. For more information, please visit: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain. Additionally, when you come to visit the CPKC Holiday Express Train, please bring canned goods/a donation for a local food pantry.
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Polar Express Train Ride
Location: Branson, MO
Dates: Runs select dates from mid-November through December.
Details: Although not directly in Kansas City, this is one of the best-known Christmas train experiences in the region. Based on the beloved "Polar Express" book, the train takes families on a journey to the North Pole.
Pricing: Tickets typically range from $35 to $55 for adults, and $25 to $40 for children, with some special seating options available.
Booking: Tickets went on sale in April, so it’s recommended to book now while there are still some left. Ticket prices start at $40+ and are available through the Branson Scenic Railway’s website: https://bransontrain.com/polarexpress.cfm.
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Cowtown Santa Express
Location: Abilene, KS
Dates: November 29-December 23
Details: Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and meet the jolly guy himself, all aboard our sparkling antique passenger coaches.
Pricing & Booking: Ticket prices range from $25-$35 and can be purchased online at https://asvrr.org/rides/.
Note: Make sure to double-check specific dates, availability, and pricing, as they may change each year. Reservations are strongly recommended for all Santa train events, as these can sell out quickly due to high demand during the holiday season!
This guide has been made possible by: The Santa Rocket presented by Rock Island Rail |
