GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (September 24, 2026) – Set your alarm: Tickets for Santa’s North Pole Express and other Christmas Capital of Texas® events, go on sale Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 10 a.m. Central Time.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s beloved North Pole Express® tradition features classic Christmas singalongs, cheerful elves and time with Santa Claus himself, all onboard luxury 1920s-era coaches. Santa’s North Pole Express excursions, co-presented by AE Texas and Great Wolf Lodge, will start the day after Thanksgiving, on Friday, November 27, and will operate most days through December 30. Santa’s North Pole Express will not operate December 3, 24 or 25.
Ticket Purchasing Tips:
- Visit ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com to look at dates, times and seats in advance.
- Any guests 2-years-old and older will need a ticket. Tickets are sold by the bench, each bench seats 2 people. You can purchase a Lap Rider ticket for children who haven’t celebrated their 2nd birthday for $6. You can purchase up to 10 benches at a time.
- Ticket prices vary by date and time and range from $45 - $50 per person.
- The ticket link will not be live until 10 a.m. When it is live you will either go straight to purchasing site or be placed in a queue. If you’re placed in the queue, do not refresh your browser.
In addition to Santa’s North Pole Express, here are the other Christmas Capital of Texas events going on sale Thursday, October 1 at 10 a.m. at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com:
- Peace Plaza Ice Rink sponsored by Baylor Scott and White Grapevine
- Christmas Wine Trains (three dates this year)
- Classic Christmas movies at the Historic Palace Theatre sponsored by Amazon
- Christmas Cartoons & Crafts at Lancaster Theatre sponsored by Amazon
- Hometown Christmas at the Grapevine Tower Gallery
- Christmas Activities at the Settlement to City Museums
- Historic Nash Farm Christmas events
- Christmas at the Grapevine Observation Tower
The official Christmas Capital of Texas features more than 1,400 events over 40 days. Book your Christmas getaway now and stay up to date on all the festivities at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com.
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