16 Merry New England Christmas Train Rides

Picture this: you’re gazing out the window of a train as it chugs along snow-dusted tracks. Fresh, white flakes are falling from the sky, and you hold a steaming cup of hot cocoa in your hands. The sound of jingling bells fills the air. Sounds pretty perfect, huh? After all, nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a ride through one of New England’s many winter wonderlands on an old-fashioned steam locomotive — and with many different active, running trains to choose from, there’s festive fun throughout the region. Ready to get in the spirit? Hop on board one of these cheerful New England Christmas train rides this season!

Merry New England Christmas Train Rides

Updated for 2025

Maine Christmas Train Rides

• North Pole Express in Boothbay
• The Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides in Kennebunkport
• Christmastime Trains to SeaLyon Farm at the Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum

New Hampshire Christmas Train Rides

• Ho Ho Hobo Santa Express at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln
• Santa’s Holiday Express Train at the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway
• The Jinglebell Express at Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire
• Journey to the North Pole in Lincoln & North Conway

Vermont Christmas Train Rides

• The Bellows Falls Santa Express in Bellows Falls, Vermont
• The Okemo Valley Holiday Express in Londonderry, Vermont

Massachusetts Christmas Train Rides

• Edaville Family Theme Park train rides at the Christmas Festival of Lights in Carver
• The Tinseliner Scenic Christmas Train in Adams, Massachusetts

Connecticut Christmas Train Rides

• The Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited at the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston
• North Pole Express in Essex
• Trolley Museum Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights in East Windsor, Connecticut
• Shoreline Trolley Winter Weekend in East Haven, Connecticut

Wondering where to find the official Polar Express Train excursions? Check out All Aboard for These New England Polar Express Train Ride Locations

Do you have a favorite New England Christmas train ride location? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was first published in 2021 and has been updated.

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Katherine Keenan

Formerly associate digital editor, Katherine Keenan created content for NewEngland.com, managed the New England Today newsletter, and shared the best of the magazine on social media channels. A graduate of Smith College, she grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and currently lives in southern Maine.

More by Katherine Keenan