St. Louis — September 8, 2022 — Tickets go on sale today at 9 a.m. for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station at www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
The real train rides — a St. Louis holiday tradition — are rolling to the North Pole again to tell the magical story of a boy’s search for the real meaning of Christmas. The train rides begin at St. Louis Union Station on November 18 and continue through December 30, 2022.
Coach tickets for this St. Louis holiday event begin at $35 and may be purchased online at www.stlpolarexpressride.com. First Class and Premium seats also are available. Prices vary by day, time and ticket class. Group tickets are available for groups of 10 or more.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates.
The beloved story of The Polar Express comes to life when the real train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented characters, including the boy, the hobo, the Conductor, dancing chefs and Santa and his elves. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. It’s an immersive, family-oriented experience that will create lasting holiday memories.
The Pancakes With Santa holiday meals in Union Station’s beautiful Grand Hall also are returning for the 2022 season. The meals will be held on November 19, 20, 26, 27 and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 24. Guests will experience a unique 3D light show on the Grand Hall ceiling and enjoy pancakes topped with strawberries and whimsical whipped cream Santa faces. Guests can take their own photos with Santa during the breakfast. Seatings begin at 8:30 and 10 a.m.
Passengers can book holiday rides on the St. Louis Wheel and an adventure at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station where Santa and his elf will dive in Shark Canyon on selected dates. Guests can enhance the magic by staying overnight at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton, in a decorated holiday suite. Get hotel information and train tickets at www.STLpolarexpressride.com.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Follow on social media @unionstationstl. Phone inquiries: (314) 942-6942.
The season for holiday cheer is here and I am very excited to announce that The Polar Express is back and this year they have train rides again!
Last year due to the global pandemic, The Polar Express changed how they operated and switched to a walk-through of sorts. It was pretty cool, but the train ride is what kids missed the most. This year they were able to bring it back! Along with the awesome winter wonderland walk-through you get to ride the rails and experience The Polar Express like it is meant to be experienced.
Tickets are now on sale today for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station at www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
After a year as a stationary walk-through experience during COVID-19 restrictions, the real train rides are rolling to the North Pole again at the popular holiday attraction for 2021. Tickets are on sale now.
The magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas begins at St. Louis Union Station on November 19 and continues through December 30, 2021.
Coach tickets for this St. Louis holiday tradition begin at $35 and may be purchased online at www.stlpolarexpressride.com. First Class and Premium tickets also are available. Prices vary by day and time.
Passengers can also book holiday rides on the St. Louis Wheel and an adventure at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station where Scuba Claus will dive in Shark Canyon on selected dates.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates.
The adventure comes to life when the real train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented characters. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a one-hour trip to meet Santa.
Once on board, the Conductor will work his way through the coach and punch golden tickets before hot chocolate and a delicious cookie are served by dancing chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas.
During the trip, characters on each car lead fantastic onboard entertainment – just like in the film. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. Just like the kids in the book, families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride! This immersive family-oriented experience has hosted over 1.4 million riders at 54 locations in the US, Canada, and the UK in 2019 when the read trains last rolled.
Passengers also can enhance the magic by staying overnight at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in a special holiday suite complete with a decorated Christmas Tree. Get hotel information and train tickets at: www.STLpolarexpressride.com.
BEYOND THE POLAR EXPRESS — MORE ACTIVITIES AT ST. LOUIS UNION STATION
In 2021, all of St. Louis Union Station’s holiday events are gathered under the name Joy at Union Station.
Inside the massive Joy at Union Station tent on the Purina Performance Plaza, guests will find the Jolly Old Elf himself ready for family pictures with Santa, steaming hot chocolate and snacks, holiday carnival games and a variety of other activities including holiday crafts for children. In addition to posing with families, Santa will be available for Puppy Pics on Friday, November 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, November 20 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 from 2 to 7 p.m.
The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station will welcome Scuba Claus to Shark Canyon on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:15 p.m. Guests can talk with Santa as he and his elf dive with sharks, rays and the other fish in the 250,000 gallon habitat. The diving Santa experience is free with Aquarium admission Friday, November 26, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:15 p.m November 27 through December 19 and again on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Soda Fountain at Union Station, the retro diner restaurant at Union Station, has introduced a new holiday Freak Shake for 2021. “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out,” starts with an Ovaltine chocolate malt shake, served in a Leg Lamp-inspired glass. The shake is topped with a La Bonne Bouche Ralphie Bunny sugar cookie, a Kit Kat Oh Fudge bar and a candy cane. Whipped cream, a cherry and a sprinkle of Ovaltine dust complete the treat.
The St. Louis Wheel at Union Station will be lighted in holiday colors throughout the season. The 200-foot-tall observation Wheel’s 42 gondolas are kept at a comfortable 72 degrees year round. Union Station’s outdoor Fire & Light shows on the lake will be set to popular Christmas carols. Shows take place on the hour. Union Station’s carousel, mini-golf course, ropes course and mirror maze add to the fun.
Guests can meet Mr. Claus and enjoy a delicious Santa face pancake breakfast during the popular Pancakes With Santa annual event in the beautifully decorated Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station, Saturdays and Sundays in November and December. The 3-D holiday light show will play on the Grand Hall ceiling during breakfast. Seatings are available at 8:30 and 10 a.m.
A family entertainment destination today, St. Louis Union Station first opened in 1894 and was the biggest and busiest train terminal in the country with 22 railroads moving passengers across the nation. The St. Louis Union Station Hotel has been called one of the world’s top railroad-themed hotels.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.
The magic is back and St. Louis Union Station has a Christmas in July present for everyone. Tickets go on sale to the public for The Polar Express Train Ride on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 9 a.m.
After a year as a stationary walk-through experience during COVID-19 restrictions, the real train rides are rolling to the North Pole again at the popular holiday attraction for 2021.
The Polar Express Train Ride’s magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas begins on November 17 and continues through December 30, 2021.
Coach tickets for this St. Louis holiday tradition begin at $35 and may be purchased online at www.stlpolarexpressride.com beginning September 8. Set to the classic motion picture soundtrack, the real train ride will transport passengers into the magic of the beloved holiday classic as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing and singing chefs as passengers read along with the children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole, board the train, and give each child the first gift of Christmas — a silver sleigh bell. On the way back to Union Station, chefs lead passengers in singing Christmas carols.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates.
This year things have been switched up a bit but the big news is that The Polar Express is back at Union Station in downtown St. Louis! Grab your masks and grab your kiddos and head downtown for a unique holiday experience unlike any other in St. Louis!
Even in the time of Coronavirus, an important St. Louis holiday tradition will continue to bring joy to families. The Polar Express returns to St. Louis Union Station for the 2020 season with some changes to allow for appropriate social distancing and safety.
The popular family event has been recreated as Believe! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience for 2020. The beautifully decorated trains will remain stationary under the Union Station train shed this year for a walk-through event. Guests will interact with the The Polar Express characters and Santa Claus in whimsically decorated tents and on the Station’s Purina Performance Plaza.
Believe! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience is the magical story of a boy’s search for the real meaning of Christmas, based on the beloved children’s book and hit film.
The event begins November 20 and continues through December 30, 2020. After beginning their journey, guests will feel the approach of a mysterious train and see the Conductor inviting them to board THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Set to the motion picture soundtrack, non-moving train tours will transport passengers into the magic of the beloved holiday classic. During the experience, hot chocolate and cookies will be served by dancing and singing chefs and guests will read along with the children’s book,The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his elves will visit with children and give them the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. Characters and helpers will wear masks and masks will be required for all guests over the age of nine per St. Louis City Health Department guidelines.
Timed tickets will be available from 1 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with the last ticket sold at 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, the event will be open from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 8 p.m. Timed tickets will allow for appropriate attendance sizes and social distancing during the event. Ticket prices range from $27 to $45.
More information about dates, fares and event times is available by calling 314-942-6942, or by visiting www.STLPolarExpressRide.com. Families are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas for the experience.
THE ST. LOUIS WHEEL & MORE Admission to Believe! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience can be combined with tickets to ride the St. Louis Wheel or to explore the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. The 200-foot-tall observation wheel will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. for views of the glittering downtown holiday lights. Additional activities on site include the St. Louis Aquarium, open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and during holiday breaks. The St. Louis Carousel, an 18-hole mini-golf course at the Wheel plaza and the St. Louis Ropes Course and A-Maze-Ing Discoveries Mirror Maze inside Union Station also are open during the event.
St. Louis Union Station will continue its popular holiday fire and light show set to Christmas music on the train shed lake during the season. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ movie will be shown every night during the season.
Guests can get a head start on their holiday shopping at The Winter Market, which offers a holiday shopping experience inside the event space. Carnival games, strolling entertainers and holiday lights add to the festive atmosphere.
ROOM PACKAGES AT THE ST. LOUIS UNION STATION HOTEL Guests can save 20 percent on their Believe! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience tickets when they purchase a hotel package at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel package includes tickets to Believe! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience and deluxe accommodations or an exclusive holiday-decorated suite with turn-down service for the complete seasonal experience.
NEW THIS YEAR: PANCAKES WITH SANTA Select Saturdays and Sundays in December, families can enjoy a special Pancakes with Santa breakfast in Union Station’s Grand Hall. Pancakes topped with strawberries and fun whipped cream Santa faces are served with bacon and milk for the kids or coffee for the grownups. Seatings are available at 9, 9:45, 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. on December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, and 19 & 20, 2020. Santa will visit with every child during the event. Tables will be placed at appropriate social distances and only one group will be seated at a table. Masks are required per City of St. Louis Health Department requirements.
There is so much to do this year at Union Station. It is worth a trip to visit and see what all the excitement is about. Our little family of four felt very comfortable wearing our masks, walking around, and enjoying everything Union Station has to offer. Just remember the three W’s. Wear your mask, Wait 6 feet apart, and Wash your hands!
