Holiday trains 2026

What holiday trains run in Colorado in 2026?

Six, on five railroads: the Polar Express in Durango, the Santa Express in Cañon City, two Santa trains on the Georgetown Loop, Santa's Holiday Express on the Cumbres & Toltec and the Leadville Holiday Express.

They are short rides. Most last about an hour, which suits small children better than a full day on a mountain line. The Georgetown Loop is closest to Denver, about 45 miles west off I-70. Durango is in the far southwest corner of the state, a trip of its own.

Expect Santa, cocoa and cookies on most of them, and plenty of pajamas. Durango recommends wearing them.

When is the Polar Express in Durango in 2026, and is it running after the flood?

From 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, from the Durango Depot. After flooding on the Animas River in October 2026, the railroad says it is on track to resume the Polar Express and Cascade Canyon trains on 20 November 2026.

The Durango & Silverton lists fares from $67 to $101, plus its 8% Historic Preservation Fee. The ride itself is about 65 minutes, and the railroad says to allow 2 hours for the whole visit. Every class gets hot chocolate, a sweet treat, a reading from the book and Santa on the way back to Durango. Deluxe and First Class add a souvenir mug and a tote per reservation, and First Class seats you at tables with Christmas decor.

Read the refund rules before you book. Up to 60 days out you can cancel for a refund, less $14 per adult and $7 per child. Inside 60 days the tickets are non-refundable, and the railroad makes no exceptions for weather, illness or road closures. You can reschedule for $7 a ticket to another date in the same calendar year. More on the town and the line in our Durango & Silverton guide.

What is the Royal Gorge Route Santa Express?

A holiday ride of about 1 to 1.5 hours from the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City, on dates from 19 November to 30 December on the railroad's page, with up to four departures a day.

The train runs into the Royal Gorge to “the North Pole”, and the fare covers hot cocoa, cookies and a gift for ticketed children. Child fares cover ages 1 to 12. More than 40,000 people ride it each year, and the railroad warns that most dates sell out weeks or months ahead. Plan to arrive 60 to 90 minutes early to collect tickets and have your photo taken, and check the times for your date on the railroad's page.

This is the strictest one on the list: the Royal Gorge Route has a no-refund policy for Santa Express tickets. Fares below are per person before fees, dining and gratuity. On another day of your trip, the regular train through the gorge runs year-round, and our Royal Gorge Route page covers the open-air car and the classes. Tristan (Sep 2026), on the regular ride: “Was so much fun, everyone was extremely friendly! Will definitely be back!”

The everyday train through the Royal Gorge: about 110 minutes along the Arkansas River, with the open-air car open to everyone.

★ 4.6 · 110 minutes · from $148

Explore the Royal Gorge Route Railroad → Tour details

What are Santa's Lighted Forest and Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure in Georgetown?

Two holiday trains on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, both running 6 November to 24 December 2026. The Lighted Forest is a night ride of about 60 minutes past more than 300,000 lights.

Santa joins every Lighted Forest departure before Christmas. Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure is the daytime version: snowy mountains, holiday decor and Santa visiting the children. After Christmas, the New Year's Train runs 26 December to 1 January in heated coaches, with Parlor or Presidential Class as upgrades.

Practical bits from the railroad's FAQ: tickets are not mailed, so pick them up 30 minutes before departure. You can cancel or transfer 48 hours or more ahead, and Trip Protection costs 10%. There are no restrooms on the train itself; use the station. Have a food allergy? Tell the railroad when you reserve and again at boarding.

Where do the Cumbres & Toltec and Leadville run Santa trains?

The Cumbres & Toltec runs Santa's Holiday Express from Chama on 5 to 6 December and from Antonito on 12 to 13 December 2026. The Leadville Railroad's Holiday Express starts on 14 November 2026.

The Cumbres & Toltec's regular season has ended, and these two weekends are the line's holiday run. Santa rides on board, and the Antonito train serves hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes and holiday refreshments. Both weekends offer the railroad's new Deluxe class. Book on the Cumbres & Toltec's own site.

Leadville is a different kind of cold. Its trains leave 326 E. 7th St. at 10,152 feet, the highest start of any ride here, for a 2-hour round trip with festive decorations and a conductor telling the town's history. Reservations are required for every Holiday Express ride, and fares are on the railroad's site. Pack a hat, and drink water: the altitude is real.

How do you book holiday trains, and what are the refund rules?

Book directly with each railroad, as early as you can, and check the refund rule first: the Polar Express is non-refundable within 60 days, and the Santa Express has no refunds at all.

The table sums up each railroad's rules as printed today. Seats on the Santa Express are pre-assigned when you book, and nothing on the list lets you turn up and buy on the night with any confidence.

For the rest of the trip, the tours on this site keep things flexible: free cancellation up to 24 hours before, on every one. The private Pikes Peak Cog Railway tour takes you to 14,115 feet from Denver; Rodger (Jul 2026) wrote, “We thoroughly enjoyed our day visiting Garden of Gods, downtown Manitou Springs, and the contrail trip to the top of Pike’s Peak.” For more rides beyond December, see our winter train rides post and the best train rides in Colorado.

A private day from Denver: the Cog Railway to the Pikes Peak summit, Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods, with your own guide.

★ 4.9 · 10 hours · from $799

Explore the private Pikes Peak Cog Railway tour → Tour details

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