All Aboard for Michigan’s Holiday Trains
Is The Polar Express one of your favorite Christmas movies? Well now you can experience it in real-life! All over Michigan there are various Holiday Train events that will take you back through war stories and vintage car riding. Be sure to check out one of the events below to live a real-life Polar Express holiday!
Twelve Twenty-Five: The Life and Times of a Steam Locomotive, Grand Rapids
Join in for a lively presentation December 15, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Grand Rapids Public Library. The Pere Marquette Steam Locomotive goes way back to 1941 and has overseen the transition of thousands of riders. It even played in the famous movie The Polar Express. You now have the opportunity to listen to author, journalist and avid researcher Kevin P. Keefe as he enlightens you with the story of a World War ll-ere steam engine based off his famous book, Twelve Twenty-Five. There will be a book signing succeeding the presentation.
Coopersville & Marne Santa Train, Coopersville
This event is all things North Pole right here is Coopersville Michigan! Not only can you and your loved one’s ride in a VINTAGE car but you get to ride with SANTA. To make your North Pole experience event better, the elves have arrived in Coopersville to escort the little ones to visit Santa and read off their wish list. In addition, Christmas comes early at this event. Naughty or nice, shy or loud, each child gets to take home a present. You can also sit back and relax on the comfortable, heated rail cars as the story-telling Princess reads aloud Christmas-themed books for all to hear. Round trip the whole experience will last about 90 minutes, and children under 2 get in for free. You have multiple opportunities to take a ride on this journey all the way up to December 24. Check out the link below for price and date details.
Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic, Flint
Every weekend in December. From 4-9 pm, you can come and enjoy this holiday packed event to put you in the holiday spirit. This is all things Christmas as far as celebrating goes. You will be captivated by all the lights that will be reflecting off the white crisp snow while stocking up on stocking stuffers at the same time! You can experience costumed villagers and see all kinds of live entertainment. To make it even better you get to check different model trains AND craft demonstration. No holiday experience would be complete without holiday music and of course a visit with Santa, the man himself. Christmas at the Crossroads has fun and activities for everyone in the family and you won’t want to miss this well-known Mid-Michigan event! Tickets sell out fast so you better act now. Kids under get in free, 2-12 cost $12, Seniors (60+) cost $14 and 13-59 cost $15.
Holiday Nights, Greenfield Village
This event runs every weekend in December from 6:30-10:00 pm nightly. You won’t want to miss this event since it has EVERY aspect of a holiday party that you could possible imagine, including classic Model T Rides. It’s wintertime and Greenfield Village has all winter/holiday related activities set up for the whole family to enjoy. They will have Santa AND reindeer live for you to visit after you spend some time ice skating around under the lights. Once you finish reading your wish list to the big guy you can go enjoy live musical performers and carols throughout the venue, take a Model T ride or a horse drawn wagon ride. They also have costumed presenters, decorated homes and shops, and of course holiday cooking to help you prep for those family gatherings. To end out the night it will commence with a firework finale and singalong to put everyone on the holiday cheer. This doesn’t even entail all the activities happening at this event, the list goes on.
The North Pole Express, Owosso
All Aboard! The train is leaving to go visit Ashley Michigan and take a step back in time. This is a 4-hour excursion with the train ride lasting 1 hour each way and 2 hours spent in Ashley Michigan. While there, you will get to experience live entertainment of all sorts, horse-drawn carriage rides, arts/crafts, the big man himself (Santa), street performances, petting zoo, and the list goes on. Each year they have something new and special that is a surprise for all! You get to truly enjoy the holiday experience by both participating in actives and taking a nice relaxing train ride! There is also lots of food options and shopping for all your desires. They run Friday-Sunday up to December 17 and have various price options. Hop on line and reserve that train ticket.
Ashley Dardis is from Otsego, Michigan and is a senior at Ferris State University—majoring in the Hospitality Management for Event Planning. She will graduate in December and is in the process of moving to Ireland for work.