Los Angeles, CA — North Pole Railway, a new Christmas train ride at Travel Town in Griffith Park, runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 24 from Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the company behind the LA Haunted Hayride in the same park. Guests ride a train car to the North Pole, then walk a holiday village with lit-up historic trains, s’mores and Santa, and adult tickets are $47.37 with fees.
What Is North Pole Railway?
North Pole Railway’s train car stays in place while its windows play the trip north, with animated scenery, lighting, sound, scents, fog and simulated motion, and live characters ride along. The trip lasts about 7 to 10 minutes, and each car holds up to 72 guests. The event’s FAQ says it’s an original Christmas adventure, not The Polar Express.
After the ride, the rest of the night is at Travel Town: a holiday light display on its historic trains under the pavilion, themed food and craft booths, bars for guests 21 and up, s’mores pits and a visit with Santa. Plan on about 90 minutes. The event is mostly outdoors and runs rain or shine, and Travel Town’s little perimeter train isn’t running as part of it this year.
Dates and Hours
North Pole Railway is open Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, closed Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14:
- Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 4 to 6 and Dec. 11 to 13: 5 to 10 p.m.
- Dec. 1 to 3, 8 to 10 and 15 to 17: 5 to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 18 to 23: 5 to 10 p.m.
- Christmas Eve, Dec. 24: 3 to 8 p.m.
Each ticket has a 15-minute arrival window for boarding the train, and the rest of the event is yours until closing.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold online only, and on Nov. 13 they cost the same on every date checked, with fees included:
- General admission: $47.37 for adults and $26.77 for children. Kids under 3 are free.
- VIP: $78.27 for adults and $53.55 for children, adding priority entrance to the Santa experience, a digital photo with Santa and 15% off event merchandise.
Parking, food, drinks, s’mores and merchandise cost extra, and general admission guests can add a professional photo with Santa. The event is cashless, there are no refunds, and guests over 13 can’t wear costumes.
From the Team Behind the LA Haunted Hayride
Thirteenth Floor’s LA Haunted Hayride, in the same park, added an ’80s rock maze this fall in my LA Haunted Hayride 2026 story, and the company’s haunted houses in Chicago, Denver and Houston run Krampus nights in December, in my Christmas haunted houses guide.
More Christmas in Los Angeles
Southern California’s theme park Christmas events are in my Disneyland Christmas guide, my Knott’s Merry Farm guide and my Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas guide.
Tickets are on North Pole Railway’s site.
