Located at: North Carolina Transportation Museum | 1 Samuel Spencer Drive – Spencer, N.C.
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THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
The Magic Returns!
N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
November 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 & 27-29 and December 4-6 & 10-23, 2026
Have a question? Contact us at the museum for general information at 704-636-2889 or info@nctransportationmuseum.org.
Beginning June 2, 2026 for tickets please book online or contact the call center at 704-469-5231.
Please note that the call center will not be active to take calls or questions until June 2.
Phone Orders: 704-469-5231
Ticket Sales Begin 9 a.m. Eastern Time on the following dates:
Family Platinum & Family Premium Members only
June 2
All N.C. Transportation Museum Members
June 3
General Public
June 4
To be guaranteed this early buying opportunity, new, renewing or lapsed members must have joined or renewed by Monday, May 18, 2026. No membership purchased or renewed after 5 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2026, can be processed for THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Train Ride member presale.
Note: ASTC reciprocal benefits do not apply to this event. To receive member benefits, your membership must be directly with the N.C. Transportation Museum.
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What’s the difference between Train A and Train B?
Train A has our only Parlor Class car. Train A and Train B have Standard Coach, Deluxe Coach, and First Class table seating. Trains run at different times, but the performance is the same on either train. More details about service classes can be found below or by clicking here: www.nctransportationmuseum.org/polar-express-faq
Left to right: Parlor Class, First Class, Deluxe Coach, Deluxe Coach, Standard Coach.
The above images are representative examples showing the types of seating available. Each train car and its decorations will vary. The NC Transportation Museum can make no guarantee regarding any specific train car used for each level of service.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ADA AND WHEELCHAIR SEATING
Passengers who require ADA-compatible seating and wheelchair accessibility should review our FAQ page before purchasing tickets. We cannot guarantee availability for wheelchairs over 30″ wide or motorized devices. Boarding and deboarding of trains requires climbing stairs and walking through rail cars to and from seating locations. Limited wheelchair-accessible seating and a wheelchair lift is available on Train A’s “Jingle” car (standard coach) and Train B’s “Noel” car (deluxe coach) for loading at the initial boarding location and at the final destination only. A wheelchair lift is not available at the North Pole scene, but passengers riding in the ADA car on each train can view and listen to the scene from inside the train. First Class, Parlor Class, and all other standard and deluxe coach cars are not wheelchair accessible due to the use of historic and antiquated rail passenger equipment, which is exempt from ADA regulations under US Code: Title 42: Section 12184. There is no lift available to load or unload any cars other than the “Jingle” car and the “Noel” car as noted above.
When buying tickets, don’t forget to add from our selection of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ merchandise that will make your trip to the North Pole even more memorable.
Choose from a variety of pre-sale items which can be picked up upon arrival, including a copy of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book signed by Santa Claus himself, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ lanyard, a light-up sword, a cuddly caribou plush, a Sherpa throw, and a jingle bell frame complete with a special hook to display your silver sleigh bell from Santa. Your children will want to take these special items along on their magical journey!
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Lanyard
$8.99 plus tax
All aboard for a keepsake that brings the magic with you long after the journey ends!
The two-tone lanyard features a blue background with a train on one side and gold THE POLAR EXPRESS™ lettering on the other.
It includes a 6” x 2.4” ticket, with a total length of approximately 18” from top to bottom. Designed with a breakaway safety clasp at the top.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Lanyard
$8.99 plus tax
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Caribou Plush
$27.00 plus tax
Bring home a snuggly piece of the North Pole magic! The cuddly caribou plush measures 12″ long and features a woven logo on the bottom of one hoof.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Caribou Plush
$27.00 plus tax
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Sherpa Throw
$32.00 plus tax
Wrap yourself in the warmth of a magical journey to the North Pole – perfect for cozy nights and holiday memories!
This 55” x 40” throw features a soft blue sherpa back with a fully printed front. Designed to keep you comfortable and cozy, it is also flame resistant.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Sherpa Throw
$32.00 plus tax
THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Jingle Bell Frame
$21.00 plus tax
Capture the moment the magic becomes real – and keep your bell close as a reminder to always believe.
This beautiful metal frame holds a 4” x 6” photo and features a special hook to display your silver sleigh bell from Santa. Frame measures 5.25” x 8.25”.
THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Jingle Bell Frame
$21.00 plus tax
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Book
$21.99 plus tax
Turn your magical journey into a story you can relive year after year.
This special edition of the story includes extra pages just for you to record your memories aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Book
$21.99 plus tax
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Light-Up Sword
$22.99 plus tax
Light up the night and bring a little extra sparkle on your journey to the North Pole!
Includes 12 LEDs: a 6” blade and 6” crystal ball with a pocket watch-inspired design. Features red, blue, and green lights with a 4-way flashing function. AA batteries are included and pre-installed. Packaged in a clear poly bag with header card.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Light-Up Sword
$22.99 plus tax
Prices Starting At*:
Note: Prices shown include handling fees. NC tax applied at time of purchase. Everyone age 2 and up requires a ticket and must occupy a seat. One free lap infant (under age 2) is allowed per paying adult.
Peak Pricing (times and dates identified with ** on schedule below)
*All prices shown include ticket fees. N.C. sales tax will be added to your order.
Class Descriptions
Standard Class (Train A and B)
Passengers receive hot cocoa (served in a quality paper cup), a cookie, a silver sleigh bell, and a golden ticket. Standard Class is coach seating in padded seats without a table. Each person aged 2 and up requires a seat.
Deluxe Class (Train A and B)
Passengers receive hot cocoa served in a keepsake tumbler, a special treat, a cookie, a silver sleigh bell, and a golden ticket. Deluxe Class is coach seating in padded seats without a table. Each person aged 2 and up requires a seat.
First Class (Train A and B)
Passengers are seated at 2-top, 4-top and 6-top tables. Passengers receive hot cocoa served in a keepsake ceramic mug, a special treat, a cookie, a silver sleigh bell, and a golden ticket. All seats at a table must be purchased regardless of if they are used, and no additional people can be seated at a table. One lap-child under age two is allowed to ride on the lap per paying adult. When additional seating is required for anyone aged 2 and up, an additional table must be purchased.
Parlor Class (Train A)
Passengers are seated at 4-top tables. Passengers receive hot cocoa served in a keepsake ceramic mug, a special treat, a cookie, a silver sleigh bell, a golden ticket, and a hard-bound copy of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express signed by Santa Claus (one per table). All seats at a table must be purchased regardless of if they are used, and no additional people can be seated at a table. One lap-child under age two is allowed to ride on the lap per paying adult. When additional seating is required for anyone aged 2 and up, an additional table must be purchased.
Train Descriptions
Two trains run simultaneously, departing at different times. Both trains offer the same quality of performances, with amenities being different in each seating class as noted in the Class Descriptions section above.
Train A Service Classes
Parlor (most exclusive class): Parlor car
First Class: Holly, Clarice and Comet cars
Deluxe: Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph cars
Standard: Jingle car*
*Jingle is the only car on Train A that is able to accommodate wheelchairs or ADA needs.
Train B Service Classes
First Class: Cupid and Mistletoe cars
Deluxe: Noel, North Star, St. Nick, and Sugarplum cars*
Standard: Olive and Peppermint cars
*Only one car on Train B (the “Noel” Deluxe Coach) can accommodate wheelchairs or ADA needs.
This magical holiday event takes place at the N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, N.C. The museum is located approximately halfway between Charlotte and Greensboro just off Interstate 85 in Rowan County, N.C.
Seating charts are shown for reference only and do not indicate the arrangement of the cars in the train. Positioning of train cars can vary and is subject to operating conditions.
*Note – 2:30 and 3:15 trains are NOT peak pricing
**Peak performance time with peak pricing. Pricing will be adjusted when selecting this time.
*Note – 2:30 and 3:15 trains are NOT peak pricing
**Peak performance time with peak pricing. Pricing will be adjusted when selecting this time.
2026 Show Dates/Times
*Note – 2:30 and 3:15 trains are NOT peak pricing
**Peak performance time with peak pricing. Pricing will be adjusted when selecting this time.
*Note – 2:30 and 3:15 trains are NOT peak pricing
**Peak performance time with peak pricing. Pricing will be adjusted when selecting this time.
For information about THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Train Ride for School Groups:
School group daytime trains are planned for Monday, November 23, and Monday, December 7, 2026. Please visit our School Groups page for more information
Please note this link is ONLY for those two school day events, exclusively for school groups on those specific days, and NOT for THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Train Ride on any other day or night. Delays may result by calling the wrong number. For all other ticketing for THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Train Ride, please either book online or call 704-469-5231. You can also email info@nctransportationmuseum.org with questions.
Overnight Stay & Play Package
You can earn complimentary tickets by booking your overnight stay in a participating Rowan County Lodging property. Pay careful attention to the new process, as well as the terms and conditions prior to booking your lodging. Polar Express Package sales begin June 4, 2026 at 9 a.m. EDT. Each event weekend has a different deadline, please visit the Rowan County Tourism website for deadlines.
MEMBER PRESALE: Lifetime, Family Platinum, and Family Premium members of the N.C. Transportation Museum will be able to book tickets beginning June 2 at 9 a.m. EDT. All other N.C. Transportation Museum members will be able to book tickets beginning June 3 at 9 a.m. EDT. For those who are not members as of the May 18, 2026 deadline, tickets will be available beginning June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT. There will NOT be an option to select the special offer for members on 6/2 or 6/3 when booking your hotel. Please book your hotel using the booking widget on the Rowan County Tourism website, then call the ticketing center at 704-709-3410. Please call this number only if you are booking the Stay & Play lodging package. For ticket sales without the Stay & Play lodging package, please book your tickets online from the NC Transportation Museum website or call 704-469-5231. Once they verify your membership, they will add the special offer to your reservation and provide you with your code or gift certificate. Please have your hotel reservation information ready. The ticketing center is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. EDT.
THE POLAR EXPRESS ™ Train Ride Packages will be available to members of the N.C. Transportation Museum on June 2 & 3, 2026 and to the public on June 4, 2026. Each event weekend has a different deadline, please see the chart below for deadlines.
Book your overnight stay in Rowan County during the date you are attending THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the N.C. Transportation Museum and receive:
**Free tickets are STANDARD CLASS tickets. They cannot be exchanged or utilized towards higher level tickets. VISA e-gift cards will be issued at hotel check-in. **
Questions regarding Overnight Stay & Play Package? Contact the Rowan County Tourism office at 1-800-332-2343, 704-638-3100, or visit their website. These packages are offered exclusively by Rowan County Tourism and all arrangements must be made per Rowan County Tourism procedures, terms, and conditions.
Enjoy the magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at N.C. Transportation Museum 1 Samuel Spencer Dr. Spencer, NC 28159