Spooky season has officially come to a close, which means the countdown to Christmas is officially on. And if you’re looking for a festive way to kick off the holiday season, you can soon climb aboard a Christmas-themed train ride in Alberta inspired by one of the most beloved holiday movies.
Aspen Crossing is bringing back its popular Polar Express Train Ride this November, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, a journey to the North Pole and a special visit from Santa himself.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what to expect on the journey.
What to expect on the Polar Express Train Ride
What is the Polar Express Train Ride?
The Polar Express Train Ride is a roughly one-hour excursion inspired by the classic Christmas Story. It takes place aboard Aspen Crossings vintage train cars and includes a reading of the original The Polar Express book, plus appearances by characters along the way.
Once you hop on, you’ll receive your own golden train ticket, and hot chocolate and cookies will be served throughout the journey. You can expect holiday carolling and entertainment before Santa joins the ride at the North Pole to hand out silver sleigh bells to everyone.
And if you want to fully embrace the experience, organizers encourage you to show up in your favourite Christmas pyjamas!
When is the Polar Express Train Ride running?
The Polar Express Train Ride is returning to Aspen Crossing on select dates from Friday, Nov. 20 to Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026.
Here are the dates you can book your ride:
- Friday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 22
- Friday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Nov. 29
- Friday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 6
- Friday, Dec. 11 to Thursday, Dec. 24
You can choose from three time slots, with departures at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., and the ride takes about one hour from start to finish.
Where is Aspen Crossing?
Aspen Crossing is located about one kilometre west of Mossleigh, Alta., approximately 45 minutes southeast of Calgary.
Once you arrive, you’ll find free parking beside the train station, along with a larger lot in front of the Tavern.
How much are tickets?
Tickets to the Polar Express Train Ride are sold in pairs or groups of four to ensure everyone in your group can sit together during the journey. Ticket prices start at $134.58 per pair, plus applicable fees, and vary depending on your selected train car and departure date. Babies 23 months and younger can ride for free when seated on an adult’s lap.
Each ticket includes a round-trip train ride to the North Pole, a golden train ticket, hot chocolate served in a ceramic Polar Express collector’s mug, a cookie, and a silver sleigh bell from Santa.
What else should I know before I go?
Once you’ve booked your tickets, make sure to arrive at Aspen Crossing 30 to 45 minutes before your departure time.
The train ride will run no matter the weather conditions; the only exception is if Highway 24 closes near Aspen Crossing, in which case the excursion may be rescheduled.
So, if The Polar Express is part of your Christmas movie lineup every year, getting to experience the story in person is pretty hard to beat. You can grab your tickets through Aspen Crossing’s website and start planning your trip to the North Pole.
When: Running on select dates from Friday, Nov. 20 to Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026
Time: Slots at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Where: Directions to Aspen Crossing
Cost: Starting at $134.58 plus fees (early bird pricing)
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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