Please refer to this page only for special school group performances on Monday, November 25, and Monday, December 9. These performances are exclusively for school groups and take place in the morning and early afternoon. For all other dates and times for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, please visit www.nctransportationmuseum.org/the-polar-express-train-ride or call 704-469-5231.
Located at: North Carolina Transportation Museum | 1 Samuel Spencer Drive – Spencer, N.C.
Monday, November 25 at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Monday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. – SOLD OUT
Refunds and Exchanges:
Purchased tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, so please check the date, time, and location carefully before purchasing. No rainchecks will be offered. All rides continue rain or shine.
Group Rate Pricing:
$28.89* for Students
(Pre-K through 12th grade)
$28.89* for Teachers
$41.73* for Adult Chaperones
*Prices include N.C. Sales Tax*
Bus driver receives a complimentary ticket
Homeschool Groups: 1 teacher per 5 paying students may ride at the $28.89 rate. Additional adult chaperones will receive the $41.73 rate.
Group ticket rates are for standard coach seats only. Only one car (“Dasher”) is wheelchair accessible with space for two wheelchair riders.
Groups needing to book a wheelchair space should contact Meghan DeLapp at 980-305-6298 or meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov. All other cars of the train require climbing steps and walking through rail cars to seats.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride offers the unique experience of a live theater performance and train ride in one. Our performances begin with the train’s arrival in the station at the Barber Junction Visitor Center. After watching a short production, taken from Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express, all guests are invited aboard. During THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, passengers are served hot chocolate and a sweet treat, and delight in lively songs, dance and the reading of the holiday classic The Polar Express book. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers deboard to watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas. Santa then joins passengers on the train and provides each believer with a silver sleigh bell before exiting the train.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride event will offer two stage performances and the train ride. The experience lasts about 70 minutes and will take place entirely on the grounds of the N.C. Transportation Museum. Pictures with Santa will be available at Candy Cane Lane after THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
To book a visit and receive a discount:
To book your group, please contact Meghan DeLapp at 980-305-6298 or meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov or Will Tate at 980-305-6271. Please call or email the above individuals ONLY for the school group daytime performances on November 25 and December 9.
For all other performances, please book online at www.nctransportationmuseum.org/the-polar-express-train-ride/ or call 704-469-5231.
Must have a preformed group of at least 15 paying participants, pre-register (pay non-refundable deposit), and submit final payment by designated date.
A non-refundable deposit of $10 per person is required to create a group reservation. An additional $10 will be charged for each person added to the reservation after the initial deposit has been made. Additional reservations are subject to availability. Inquiries and adjustments on existing reservations can be made by group leader only.
Final participant totals and final payments are due by October 16th, 2024. If payment is not received by October 16th, 2024 the group reservation will be lost. Deposits are non-refundable. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Refunds and Exchanges:
Purchased tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, so please check the date, time, and location carefully before purchasing. No rainchecks will be offered. All rides continue rain or shine.
Group Rate Pricing:
$28.89* for Students
(Pre-K through 12th grade)
$28.89* for Teachers
$41.73* for Adult Chaperones
*Prices include N.C. Sales Tax*
Bus driver receives a complimentary ticket
Homeschool Groups: 1 teacher per 5 paying students may ride at the $28.89 rate. Additional adult chaperones will receive the $41.73 rate.
Group ticket rates are for standard coach seats only. Only one car (“Dasher”) is wheelchair accessible with space for two wheelchair riders.
Groups needing to book a wheelchair space should contact Meghan DeLapp at 980-305-6298 or meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov. All other cars of the train require climbing steps and walking through rail cars to seats.
Enjoy the magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at N.C. Transportation Museum 1 Samuel Spencer Dr. Spencer, NC 28159