KC's Christmas Trains

This holiday season, create family memories with a fun mixture of whimsy and nostalgia as you enjoy one of these magical Christmas Train experiences in Kansas City. From train rides to the beloved Polar Express, to marvelous model train displays from classic collections to villages made of gingerbread... we have everything for Kansas City's Train Fans! First stop? Why, Union Station of course!

Trains at Union Station

Celebrate the holidays at Kansas City's own Union Station with Train Rides, Exhibits, and shows! Union Station, 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO

• Model Train Exhibit Located in Union Station's Kansas City Power & Light Gallery enjoy the Model Railroad Experience. This is one of the largest model railroad displays in America with trains of all sizes running through scenes of a festive Winter Wonderland. Next to the display, guests will learn about Kansas City’s Holiday History with a special Holiday Memories exhibit. FREE. Donations accepted. Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PMSunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
• Holiday Reflections Nov. 21 - Jan. 1: Presented by BOK Financial, Union Station expands and adds to its magical “Holiday Reflections” walk-thru holiday village. This spectacular themed experience fills Union Station’s massive Grand Plaza and features sky-reaching lights, dozens of decorated trees, forest friends, and giant, floating mirrored ornaments PLUS a bigger-than-ever Rudy’s Wonderland where kids can ride the historic Jones Store Train (Mini Holiday Express Train). Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with brilliant sights and sounds as only Kansas City’s historic home can deliver. Starting at only $7 order your tickets online at unionstation.org and reserve your time! Your ticket to the Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village, presented by BOK Financial, includes access to our award-winning Model Train Gallery. With an additional $5 ticket (FREE for Union Station Members), your little ones (under 48”) can catch a ride thru Rudy’s Wonderland on the Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train.

Canada Pacific's Holiday Train is coming to Kansas City! Join us at Union Station Dec 4. for a special holiday event with a   chance to meet Kansas City Current women's soccer players: Alex Loera, Addisyn Merrick, Cassie Miller, Hailie Mace and Mallory Weber. Enjoy a free special performance by Kansas City’s own The Snow Globes at Haverty Family Yards at Union Station.Be there to welcome the arrival of the CP Holiday Train and enjoy the show featuring, Lindsay Ell and JoJo Mason. Special pre-holiday train event with The Snow Globes and Kansas City Current: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.CP Holiday Train Performance: 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.  We encourage you to donate online to the local Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City. Harvesters will also be accepting non-perishable and monetary donations at the event. 

• KCS Holiday Express Dec. 14 – 18: Kansas City Southern is very happy to report that after a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, the Holiday Express will be returning to the rails this holiday season! The festive, six-car holiday train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families in 20 communities in eight states. In addition, the KCS Holiday Express project will continue its tradition of charitable giving to The Salvation Army. This year, the festive, six-car holiday train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families in 20 communities in eight states. See the full schedule here. In addition, the KCS Holiday Express project will continue its tradition of charitable giving to The Salvation Army. 2022 Details: Wednesday Dec 14: All day – train available to public for outdoor viewing. No walk-through tours. 6-8 p.m. – Walk-through tours for KCS employees and their families and USKC members. Reservations required and limited to 6 spots per transaction. Valid ID required upon entry. Registration details provided by KCS. Thursday Dec 15: All day – train available to public for outdoor viewing. No walk-through tours. Friday Dec 16: All day – train available to public for outdoor viewing. No walk-through tours. Saturday Dec 17: 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. – Walk-through tours available to the public. Reservations required and limited to 6 spots per transaction. Visit unionstation.org for more information and to make a reservation. Sunday Dec 18: All day – train available to public for outdoor viewing. No walk-through tours.
• Polar Express in your PJs Dec. 9-17 Come enjoy some of your favorite holiday movies on the biggest screen in the region! Union Station's Holiday Reflections returns this holiday season. $3 Holiday Classic Movie Series in Regnier Theatre! Find complete $3 Christmas Classics schedule here.
• All Aboard Exhibit  This amazing train-themed exhibit is inspired by the people and technology of trains and railroads and is packed with interactive activities as well as featuring one of the most elaborate model train layouts in the region! Your kids can hop in the cab of a 1920’s Steam Locomotive, role play in the sleeper and dining cars, learn how to transport goods and materials, create a toy train village, move miniature freight containers along an expansive toy table landscape, build and test Brio Tracks, and so much more! “All Aboard" is just one of the amazing exhibits you'll discover when you visit Science City! And with over 300 interactive exhibits and 100,000 square feet of themed spaces to roam and explore, there's something for guests of every age - including dedicated spaces just for early learners - and something NEW to discover with every visit! Skip the Ticket Office lines and get your tickets online in advance: https://sciencecity.unionstation.org

Trains at Crown Center

• Santa's Gingerbread Station Nov. 25 - Dec. 24: Santa's Gingerbread Village  Santa Claus will welcome the public throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. A photographer will be on-site to take photos for a fee, or you may take your own.  Photo packages start at $12. Open November 25 - December 24, 2022 with the following hours: 10:00am - 7:00pm, Monday - Saturday. Noon - 5:00pm, Sunday. 10:00am - 5:00pm, December 24. Please note that Gingerbread Village will not be a part of Santa's Gingerbread Station this year.
• Mayor's Christmas Tree The centerpiece of the city's Christmas is the 100-foot-tall Mayor's Christmas Tree, in Crown Center Square. During the day, enjoy the wooden playground beneath the tree's base where you'll find beautiful giant wooden toys where children play and families take photos. You'll find wooden soldiers, cars, planes, animals, and of course... a Christmas train!
• Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant Level 1 Crown Center Shops. This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model Trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table. Little Engineers love the train decor and delight in the novelty! Fritz's Restaurants

Join Santa on the Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad Christmas Train. Dec 10, 12-4 pm (weather permitting).6060 NW Waukomis Dr. This will be our last ride in 2022 and will be a Merry, Festive event with the typical Joyful Family experience of every KCNRR's rides.

Overland Park Arboretum

The Overland Park Arboretum is home to a beautiful train garden and depot. This holiday season, children may visit Santa there during the Luminary Walk. The 23rd Annual Luminary Walk is proudly presented by FNBO, Westlake Ace Hardware, and Sarin Energy Solutions. Experience the magical Gnome and Fairy Villages, serene winter woods by candlelight, and the colorful Children's Garden. Enjoy musical performances along the walk and visit with Santa in his Woodland Depot. Trees, buildings, and bridges are all part of the show, with thousands of lights aglow. Enjoy 11 magical evenings, spanning the four weekends following Thanksgiving including the Adults-Only Candlelight Stroll on Thursday, December 1. 

Kansas City Zoo Train 

The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO) is home to an open-air, large-scale train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel. Season: year-round; operates daily if the weather is above 50 degrees. While you're at the zoo, enjoy their holiday events! On Dec. 3 & 4 meet Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a special stop at the Zoo. Kids can write letters to Santa and then meet the jolly ol' guy in person. Be sure to bring your camera to capture those candid moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can also catch our cold weather penguins as they take a walk in the chilly outdoor air during our Penguin March. On Dec. 17 & 18 Santa Delivers. Santa is back one last time before the big day and this time, he is visiting some extra special animals! All weekend long, guests can catch a glimpse of Santa as he is delivering gifts to some of our animal residents that have made the top of the nice list this year. 

Lee's Summit Historical Society Museum

The Lee's Summit Historical Society Museum (220 SW Main) is housed in a 1905 train depot in the heart of Downtown Lee's Summit. The museum is free (donations accepted) and open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 pm - 2:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Explore maps and artifacts of the area’s early history.  This year, Lee's Summit is especially celebrating their train heritage with a Polar Express theme. Make your way to Howard Station Park on Friday, November 18th for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in Downtown Lee’s Summit. The train depot serves as the perfect backdrop for this year’s theme, “Downtown LS Polar Express.” The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on SE Main Street. Join your friends and family to celebrate the holiday season and see Mayor Bill Baird light Downtown in thousands of sparkling lights. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with musical performances and a special visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. Complimentary keepsake ornaments will be available at the event sponsor booths on SE Main Street while supplies last.

For more holiday events, visit our KC Calendar.

• dszc Getty Images/iStockphoto

  Union Station

  A place for great adventure. Where Kansas City Connects. All of these phrases – and more – are regularly used to describe Union Station. Visitors of all ages, from all places and for all reasons tie Union Station to special and magical moments.

• Science City at Union Station

  Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City at Union Station Kansas City, is a dynamic, hands-on science center featuring nearly 200 individual interactive exhibits and daily programming. Kids of all ages experience the amazing world of science fir...

• KC Northern Railroad

  Three 16-inch gauge trains restored and operated by volunteers run on a half-mile track through tunnels that are sure to make your children smile.

• Crown Center

  Crown Center is the place for pure entertainment. With exciting events and unique attractions. A center full of locally owned shops and restaurants. And two luxury hotels so you can stay at the center of it all.

• Downtown Lee's Summit

  Downtown is and will continue to be the historic, present and future heart of Lee’s Summit. It is a commercially vibrant, cultural, spiritual, and educational family destination.

• Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

  Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.