Where to experience the magic of the Polar Express in Champaign-Urbana if you missed getting tickets for the Polar Express train rides in Monticello
Do you have a Polar Express fan in your life? The Monticello Railway Museum Polar Express train has sold out for 2025 but Champaign-Urbana families have other options for recreating this experience outside of the train itself.
If you’re still looking for ways to experience the magic of Polar Express this holiday season, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the movie’s magic in the Champaign-Urbana area, some more budget-friendly than others.
- Have lunch with Santa on the train. While tickets for the Polar Express train ride in Monticello are sold out, tickets are available for Lunch with Santa on the train on Dec. 6 – 7. Families love this holiday favorite! Enjoy a train ride, an individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch. Get your tickets here.
- Drive in at Harvest Moon. On Dec. 5 – 6, Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre in Gibson City will host “Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movies” weekend, this weekend featuring “The Polar Express.” Santa will be there and you can drive through its “Lighted Lane” on your way in. Get your tickets in advance to secure a spot.
- Throw your own Polar Express party at home.
- Check out the movie or book from the library, or buy them (rent the film on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99 and the hardcover book was selling for less than $16 when we last checked).
- You can buy a photo backdrop* or a wooden train set* (think Thomas style).
- The Polar Express website has its own printable party kit.
- Take a road trip to enjoy a Polar Express train (kind of) near you.
- If you’re willing to go to St. Louis (or if you’ll be traveling that way anyway), there’s a Polar Express experience in St. Louis with seats still available.
- The Chicago Polar Express Experience is not returning this year, due to construction.
- See the Polar Express on the big screen. This year, you can take in The Polar Express at theaters in Bloomington, and maybe even closer to home.
- Tune in to a special Polar Express storytime.
- Our area libraries have incredible story times, and whether or not this classic book is included in any of them this holiday season, we know you and your kiddos will enjoy a wealth of winter- and holiday-themed books should you choose to attend!
- There are multiple versions on YouTube, including this one read by Liam Neeson.
Did we miss a Polar Express-themed event in Champaign-Urbana? Let us know or add it to our calendar.
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