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Ride the Train with Santa! New Jersey Christmas Train Rides With Santa 2023

All Aboard..This Way to Christmas Fun!

Thanksgiving is coming and that means Christmas will soon be on its way! The holidays are such a magical time. This time of year can be so exciting through the eyes of a child. The glow of all of the holiday lights, the smell of cookies baking in the oven and of course the anticipation for the arrival of the man of honor-Santa Claus! New Jersey Christmas train rides with Santa are just another way to celebrate the wonder of the season. We are updating our guide for 2023.

With surprise destinations to the North Pole, amazing visitors such as Santa and his elves and delicious on board refreshments, you are bound to have an adventure that will amaze your entire family when you book one of these Christmas train rides in New Jersey.

New Jersey Christmas train and holiday train providers can receive a complimentary listing, an upgraded featured listing, or listings on our Calendar of Events by emailing [email protected].

New Jersey Christmas Train Rides

North Jersey Christmas Train Rides

Morris County New Jersey Holiday Trains

The Polar Express Train Ride in Whippany, NJ

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa.

This New Jersey Christmas Train Ride will return for 2023!

  • Train rides with Santa begin November 1, 2023 and run through December 30, 2023.
  • The Polar Express-themed train ride is approximately 1 hour long.
  • Hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing chefs.
  • Passengers will read along to the book “The Polar Express”.
  • Santa and his elves will board the train.
  • 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.
  • Parking is available on site.
  • Coach and first class options are available.
  • Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as tickets will sell out!

Learn more at their website, www.whippanythepolarexpressride.com.

The Polar Express Train Ride in Whippany, NJ
Photo Credit The Polar Express Train Ride in Whippany, NJ

Passaic County New Jersey Holiday Trains

The Santa Train in Wayne, New Jersey

This New Jersey Christmas Train Ride is on for 2023.

The Santa Train in Wayne is a fun-filled, hour-long holiday-themed train ride in which every child gets to meet with Santa!

  • Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Inc. returns in 2023 with its annual Ride With Santa!
  • The train ride with Santa is on one date only, Saturday, December 9, 2023. Multiple time slots are being offered – 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.
  • Tickets are currently sold out for all but the 9 AM time slot.

Learn more at their website, www.tristaterail.org.

The Santa Train in Wayne, New Jersey
Photo Credit The Santa Train in Wayne, New Jersey

Central Jersey Christmas Train Rides

Hunterdon County New Jersey Holiday Trains

Black River and Western Railroad’s North Pole Express in Flemington, NJ

This New Jersey North Pole Express is on for 2023.

This Central New Jersey Christmas train ride with Santa runs weekends beginning November 19, 2023 through December 30, 2023. This year there is only one option, the North Pole Express with different dates and different prices.

The North Pole Express and includes

  • Photo op with our 6 foot tall wreath at North Pole Station!
  • Train ride from Flemington to “North Pole Station” and return.
  • Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus on board the train.
  • Cookie and hot cocoa at North Pole Station.
  • Self-service photo booth with complimentary 4×6 print.
  • Silver sleigh bell gift and gold souvenir ticket for children.
  • Santa’s Sleigh photo op.
  • Christmas tree photo op.
  • Additional Christmas-themed photo ops at North Pole Station

Learn more at their website, www.blackriverrailroad.com.

Santa with a young girl during New Jersey Christmas Train rides

The Polar Express at the Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg, NJ

This New Jersey Polar Express Ride is on for 2023.

  • The Polar Express begins November 24, 2023, with select dates through December 17, 2023.
  • This Christmas train ride in Phillipsburg lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  • Musicians and jugglers entertain the riders and of course, Santa joins the riders.
  • Hot chocolate and cookies are served to every child.

Learn more at their website, www.877trainride.com.

Monmouth County New Jersey Holiday Trains

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation Christmas Express in Wall, NJ

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation will have a 2023 New Jersey Christmas Train Ride.

  • The Christmas Express – Select dates November 24 – December 17, 2023.
  • During train rides Santa joins the ride and visits with all of the children.
  • Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth in the park and it is strongly encouraged you purchase them IN ADVANCE.

Learn more at their website, www.njmt.org.

Santa with a young girl during New Jersey Christmas Train rides
Saying “Goodbye” to Santa before he left the station on another train.

South Jersey Christmas Trains

Atlantic County New Jersey Holiday Trains

DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express in Hammonton, NJ

This New Jersey Santa Train Ride is on for 2023.

This South Jersey Christmas train ride lasts 20 minutes, making 2 loops around the 10,000+ lights.

  • Meet and Greet with Santa and his elves in his Workshop with a free photo op.
  • Stories, photos, & chats with Mrs. Claus with Free photo op
  • Present from Santa.
  • Holiday Movie tent and picture opportunity with everyone’s favorite Snowman.
  • Cookie treat to enjoy.
  • Tickets can be purchased in advance, through the website (recommended), but when available, walk-up tickets are sold as well
  • Starts November 17, 2023 with select dates until December 23, 2023.

Learn more at their website, didonatofuncenter.com/magical-express.

Camden County New Jersey Holiday Trains

PATCO’s Santa’s Silver Sleigh in Camden County, NJ

There are currently no details available for PATCO’s Santa’s Silver Sleigh for 2023.

The final details for PATCO’s Santa’s Silver Sleigh for 2022 are still being finalized, but we do have a date for 2022. Santa’s train will be traveling the South Jersey PATCO stations on Saturday, December 3.

In years past, specially decorated PATCO trains with Santa and his elves made three trips, leaving the Lindenwold station and picking up passengers at all stops along the way.

Learn more in our event listing, PATCO’s Santa’s Silver Sleigh.

Santas Silver Sleigh

Cape May County New Jersey Holiday Trains

Holiday Lights and Santa’s Trolley Ride in Cape May, NJ

This New Jersey Christmas Train Ride is on for 2023

In past years Mrs. Claus has come direct from the North Pole to lead this tour and Santa joins the fun at the Gazebo on the grounds of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate.

  • Select dates for this Southern New Jersey Christmas trolley ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus begin November 24, 2023 and run through December 31, 2023.
  • Thirty-minute trolley ride.
  • Trolley tour of downtown Cape May’s Victorian homes.
  • Begins and ends at the trolley stop on Ocean Street.
  • This is an open air trolley ride and blankets are recommended.
  • Advance purchase is recommended.

Learn more at their website, www.capemaymac.org

Holiday Lights and Santa's Trolley Ride in Cape May, NJ
Photo Credit Cape May Trolley

Santa Express Train Ride in Woodbine, NJ

This New Jersey Santa Train Ride is on for 2023.

This antique Christmas train at the Jersey Shore will travel a 75-minute trip departing from either Richland Village Station or Tuckahoe Village Station every weekend and select weekday evenings between November 25 and December 23, 2023!

  • The Santa Express operates every weekend from the Saturday before Thanksgiving until Christmas.
  • The Santa Starlight Express operates Friday evenings starting on December 8, 2023 until Christmas with departures at 5:30 pm and 7:45 pm.
  • Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves will visit each car and talk to each child during the ride. The elves will sing Christmas carols with the children as well.
  • Reserve tickets ahead of time as many trains will sell out.

Learn more at their website, www.capemayseashorelines.org/.

Santa Express Train Ride in Woodbine, NJ
Photo credit Tuckahoe Seashore Lines

Holiday & Christmas Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids

Updating for 2023.

Ultimate Guide to Christmas Family Fun With Kids
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Best Christmas Towns in New Jersey
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New Jersey Neighborhoods With Lots of Christmas Lights

For help with your holiday and Christmas Shopping take a look at these posts

We’re currently updating these guides for 2023.

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