Arkansas Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 7, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Arkansas’s family Christmas train is the Arkansas & Missouri Holiday Express (also sold as the Holiday Express Pajama Train) from the Springdale Depot to Johnson and back. About one hour. Cocoa, cookies, stories, Santa. It is the railroad’s own Christmas ride, not Polar Express. There is no licensed Polar host in Arkansas. Branson Polar is Missouri. See the Polar Express hub if that is the ticket you want.
Arkansas & Missouri's annual Holiday Express, a long running tradition that departs from Springfield, MO. A&M photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Arkansas Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas & Missouri Railroad | Springdale | Holiday Express Pajama Train, Springdale–Johnson ~1 hour. Listed from Nov. 28. Coach $25 / $17.50; Silver Feather downstairs $33 / $23.10; dome $38 / $26.60; toddler in lap $2. Confirm remaining dates | Holiday Express page |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the railroad before you book. Information compiled September 6, 2026. This is a Christmas train—not a licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event.
Christmas hosts
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad
(Springdale): Working Class II short line on the old Frisco between Fort Smith and Monett, Missouri, with public excursions from Springdale, Van Buren, and Winslow. The Christmas product is the short Holiday Express—not the long Boston Mountains scenic. Vintage cars, holiday lights and music, cocoa and cookies, Santa through the train. Pajamas are welcome. Coach, Premium, and Silver Feather dome are separate fares. This is not Polar Express.
2026: FareHarbor lists Saturday November 28 at 11:00 a.m. from Springdale Depot, one-hour round trip to Johnson. Coach adult $25 / child 3–12 $17.50 as posted for that date; Silver Feather and dome higher. Toddler in a lap $2. Confirm the rest of the November–December grid, plus any Van Buren or Monett extras, on the railroad site. Monett is Missouri. amtrainrides.com. Overview: A&M Holiday Express.
Planning tips
- Arkansas has no licensed Polar Express. Branson Polar is a different state and a different ticket.
- Holiday Express is the short Christmas product. Book a regular A&M scenic excursion if you want Winslow or Van Buren in daylight.
- Springdale December weekends sellout often. Do not assume walk-up tickets will be available.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Arkansas & Missouri Holiday Express
- Arkansas scenic train rides
- Christmas Train Ride Locations 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event names on each railroad’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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