Best Christmas Train Rides Near Denver (6 Festive Holiday Rides)

There are some really fun Christmas train rides near Denver, and having the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop makes them even better. Especially when there’s snow on the ground!

And there’s actually a pretty good variety of experiences to choose from. Some take you through forests filled with Christmas lights, others are all about meeting Santa, and a few are more focused on enjoying the mountain scenery with some Christmas activities mixed in.

I’ve rounded up the top Christmas train rides near Denver, including options that are great for families with young kids and others that are just as fun for adults. Some are less than an hour from the city, while others are a bit farther away, but all are doable as day trips.

I’ll go over what each train ride is like, along with this year’s dates, ticket prices, and a few tips to help you plan.

Best Christmas Train Rides Near Denver

Colorado Railroad Museum — The Polar Express

Location: Golden (about 25 – 30 minutes from Denver) 
2026 Dates: November 6 – December 23 
Tickets: Start at $80 for children, $100 for adults 
Website

The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden puts on a really fun Christmas event each year, bringing The Polar Express to life with live performances, hot chocolate, a visit from Santa, and a ride on a historic steam train.

And this is much more than just a train ride, the entire experience lasts about 2 – 2.5 hours, with several different activities and performances throughout the evening.

It starts inside the museum’s heated Polar Express Pavilion, where guests enjoy Christmas carols, hot chocolate and cookies, and a live performance of the famous Hot Chocolate song. There’s also a retelling of The Polar Express before everyone heads outside to board the train.

From here, you’ll climb aboard vintage passenger cars pulled by a coal-fired steam locomotive for a trip to the North Pole. Along the way, there are performances by Santa’s elves, and you’ll get to watch Santa present the First Gift of Christmas. Everyone also receives their own silver bell and gets to meet Santa and take photos after the train returns.

There are two ticket options, Standard and First Class. Both include the full experience, while First Class comes with a private table for four, preferred seating, and extra souvenirs, like Christmas mugs and a copy of The Polar Express.

This is one of the more expensive Christmas train rides near Denver, but there’s also quite a bit included in the ticket price. It’s especially fun for families with kids who love the movie, although adults can certainly enjoy it too.

Tickets sell out well in advance, especially for December weekends, so make reservations as soon as possible.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Location: Georgetown (about 50 – 60 minutes from Denver)

Just about an hour from Denver, the Georgetown Loop Railroad offers two relatively affordable Christmas train rides: Santa’s Lighted Forest and Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure.

Both take you along the historic railroad between Georgetown and Silver Plume, including a ride over the 95-foot-tall Devil’s Gate High Bridge. And Santa visits passengers on both rides.

The main difference between the two is that Santa’s Lighted Forest takes place after dark, when the surrounding forest is lit up with thousands of Christmas lights, while Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure is a daytime ride with beautiful views of the mountains.

Santa’s Lighted Forest

Tickets: Start at $33 for children, $45 for adults
2026 Dates: November 6 – December 24
Website

If you love Christmas lights, Santa’s Lighted Forest is a really fun option! This 55-minute nighttime train ride takes you through a forest decorated with more than 300,000 colorful lights, including displays around the railroad station and along the route.

There are several seating options depending on your budget. Coach is the most affordable, with fully enclosed cars and bench-style seating. You can also upgrade to Parlor, Executive, or Presidential Class, which include snacks and a nonalcoholic beverage. The higher-end options come with a few additional perks, including a souvenir ticket packet, and the Tahoe Executive car has larger windows, which are especially nice for seeing the Christmas lights.

One thing worth knowing before booking is that Coach tickets are sold individually, while the upgraded classes are priced by the table, seating three or four people.

Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure

Tickets: Start at $23 for children, $32 for adults
2026 Dates: November 6 – December 24
Website

Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure is the daytime Christmas train experience at Georgetown Loop Railroad, and a great option if you’d rather enjoy the mountain scenery than the nighttime Christmas lights.

The hour-long ride follows the same historic route, taking you through the forest and over the Devil’s Gate High Bridge, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains along the way. You’ll still pass by all the Christmas decorations from Santa’s Lighted Forest, just without the lights being illuminated. And if there’s snow on the ground, even better!

The seating options and included amenities are the same as Santa’s Lighted Forest, but tickets are a little less expensive. This is also a nice option for families with younger kids who might not want to stay out too late.

Leadville Railroad Holiday Express

Location: Leadville (about 2 hours from Denver)
2026 Dates: November 14 – December 23
Tickets: Start at $80 per person
Website

If you’re looking for a Christmas train ride with incredible mountain scenery, the Leadville Railroad Holiday Express is the best option in my opinion. It’s a little farther from Denver than others on this list, but the mountain views are worth the extra drive! The two-hour journey takes you through the San Isabel National Forest, with views of the surrounding peaks, pine forests, and (usually!) plenty of snow.

The train is decorated for Christmas, and along the way, you’ll hear stories about Leadville’s history from the conductor. There’s also a stop at Santa’s Mountain Outpost, where Santa boards the train to meet passengers and take photos.

There are two seating options, both in fully enclosed, heated train cars. Coach is the more affordable option, while the Lounge Cars have booth-style seating and table service for snacks and drinks purchased onboard. You can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Passengers can also step into the open-air cars during the ride for unobstructed mountain views and photos. Just keep in mind that Leadville sits at over 10,000 feet, so temperatures will likely be very cold.

The railroad offers several departure times throughout the holiday season, typically in the afternoon, with additional morning rides as Christmas gets closer. Since these are all daytime departures you’ll always have great views of the mountains. And since Leadville is a little farther from Denver, I’d consider making a day of it and spending some time exploring the historic downtown before or after your train ride.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Location: Cañon City (about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Denver)

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is located in Cañon City, about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Denver. And while it’s a bit of a drive, the scenery is pretty incredible.

The train follows the Arkansas River right through the Royal Gorge, with towering canyon walls on either side. During the holidays, there are two different Christmas train rides to choose from: the Santa Express, which is geared more toward families with kids, and the Holiday Train, which is more about enjoying the scenery, food, and drinks.

Santa Express

2026 Dates: November 19 – December 30
Tickets: Start at $94 for children, $99 for adults
Website

The Santa Express is all about Christmas, with a trip to the North Pole, Christmas music, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa. And kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride!

You’ll board the train at the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City and head into the Royal Gorge. Along the way, there’s plenty of Christmas music and holiday activities before the train reaches the North Pole, where Santa and his elves come aboard. Santa visits with families and gives each ticketed child a special Christmas bell.

The ride lasts about an 1 – 1.5 hours, and there are a few different seating options. Coach is the least expensive, Deluxe has table-style seating, and Vista Dome has large panoramic windows for better views of the canyon. There’s also an open-air observation car that everyone can use.

Hot chocolate, cookies, and the children’s bells are included in your ticket, but meals and other drinks cost extra. The train has a full kitchen and bar if you want to order something during the ride.

This is one of the pricier Christmas train rides on the list, especially for families. But you’re also getting a Santa experience and a train ride through the Royal Gorge. If you want to see the canyon scenery, you’ll need to book a daytime departure.

Holiday Train

Location: Cañon City (about 2 hours, 15 minutes from Denver)
2026 Dates: Select dates in November and December
Tickets: Start at $104 for children, $109 for adults
Website

The Holiday Train is a good option if you want to enjoy a Christmas train ride without all the Santa activities. It’s a little more laid-back, with decorated train cars, Christmas music, and the option to have breakfast or lunch onboard.

The train also has a full bar serving beer, wine, cocktails, and seasonal drinks. Food and drinks aren’t included in the ticket price, so you can order a meal or just enjoy the ride.

The trip lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a little longer than the Santa Express. You’ll have the same Coach, Deluxe, and Vista Dome seating options, and everyone has access to the open-air observation car for photos and views of the canyon.

I think this is a particularly good choice for adults who want to do something festive during the holidays without necessarily making it a Santa-focused outing.

Tips For Enjoying Christmas Train Rides Near Denver

These Christmas train rides are really popular, and things can get a little hectic, especially on weekends or closer to Christmas. But knowing a few things ahead of time can help everything go a lot more smoothly…

• Book your tickets early. Some of these trains sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially the Polar Express. I recommend signing up for the railroads’ email lists so you know right when tickets go on sale each year.
• Plan to arrive early. Most of these railroads recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before departure, but some require even more time. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad, for example, recommends arriving 60 – 90 minutes early to park, collect tickets, and board. Personally, I’d aim to arrive even earlier than the recommended time. Restroom lines can get long before boarding, since some trains don’t have bathrooms onboard, and some of the less expensive seating options are open seating. In those cases, you’ll want to get in line early to have a better choice of seats. Just be sure to check the specific instructions for your train before you go.
• Double-check the food and drink policies. Some trains let you bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, while others have restrictions or offer food for purchase onboard. What’s included in your ticket, food-wise, also varies quite a bit.
• Leave extra time for Santa photos. Some experiences offer a chance for Santa photos after the train ride, and there will be a line. Give yourself some extra time.
• Dress for the cold, even if your train car is heated. You’ll spend time outside before boarding, and some trains have open-air cars for enjoying the scenery (I highly recommend getting some photos from these open air cars!). The mountain rides, like Leadville and Georgetown, will be especially cold due to higher elevation.
• Some of the Santa-themed rides, particularly the Polar Express and Royal Gorge Santa Express, encourage kids to come in their pajamas. It’s a fun little addition to the experience, so double check “dress code” before heading out.
• Keep an eye out for discounted tickets. Some Colorado Christmas trains offer lower prices before Thanksgiving or after Christmas, and you may also find better availability during these less popular dates. Just keep in mind that certain holiday experiences, particularly Santa visits, may change or end after Christmas.
• Allow extra driving time in winter. Georgetown, Leadville, and Cañon City are all mountain destinations, and snow or traffic can make the drive longer than expected. Georgetown and Leadville will have ski traffic to contend with as well. I’d budget some extra transit time.

Colorado has some really great Christmas train rides, and we’re lucky to have several of them within driving distance of Denver. Whether you’re planning a fun outing with the kids or just looking for something different to do during the holidays, there’s a little something for everyone!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Denver and Colorado guides or head on over to Visit Denver!