Railway Christmas at Exporail
Visitors can explore the Grand Gallery filled with illuminated locomotives, an elves' sled, and a freight car full of toys while searching for Christmas stockings hidden inside vehicles. Families can mail a letter to Santa from the mail-express car, participate in holiday craft sessions, or decorate gingerbread cookies. The event also showcases operating model train layouts and features screenings of The Polar Express.
What to Expect
Holiday activities and decorated railway vehicles at the Canadian Railway Museum.
Event Details
Duration
The Polar Express film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long.
Ages
All ages
Organizer
Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive, playful, nostalgic
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: The Polar Express projection is included in the ticket price, except where a price is mentioned. Christmas cookie decorating costs $2 per participant and includes a gingerbread cookie and materials.
- Hours: Santa visits: 10:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm–3:00 pm, December 19–23. Children’s Christmas craft: Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 2–3 p.m. Christmas cookie decorating: Saturdays, Sundays and during Christmas Holidays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 2–4 p.m.
- Accessibility: A person assisting a visitor with a disability gets in free.
Tips & Advice
- Reserve Christmas Train seats ahead and be at Hays Train Station at the site entrance at least 30 minutes before your departure.
- Don't plan your visit for Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 or Jan. 1, when the museum is closed; it's otherwise open Fridays to Sundays this season.
- Pack meals and snacks and plan for two to four hours, because the gift shop sells only light refreshments.
- Buy admission on Shopico.ca for 50% off a family ticket, or on Mercado.fm for 50% off an adult ticket, then go straight to the ticket office.
- Have children write their letter to Santa before Dec. 13, the last day it can be mailed in the mail-express car.
Special Events & Promotions
- Exporail Christmas Train (separate ticket, reserve seats): 20-minute rides with Santa on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13.
- Santa in the Grand Gallery Dec. 19 to 23, with morning and afternoon sessions.
- Letters to Santa can be mailed in the mail-express car until Dec. 13.
- Gingerbread cookie decorating on weekends and during the Christmas holidays, for an extra fee.
- 50% off family admission bought on Shopico.ca, or 50% off adult admission bought on Mercado.fm.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can kids meet Santa?
Yes. Santa meets visitors in the Grand Gallery from Dec. 19 to 23, with morning and afternoon sessions. Until Dec. 13, children can also write Santa a letter and mail it in the mail-express car.
What activities are there for kids?
Kids can hunt for Christmas stockings hidden in vehicles around the exhibit hall. There's a Christmas craft in the mail car on Saturdays and Sundays. Gingerbread cookie decorating runs on weekends and during the Christmas holidays for an extra fee. You can also see The Polar Express screening and two working model train layouts.
Is the Christmas Train included in admission?
No. The Exporail Christmas Train is a separate paid activity, and you need to reserve seats. The 20-minute rides leave from Hays Train Station at the site entrance on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Santa makes appearances, sometimes with Mrs. Claus or the elves.
How long should we plan to stay, and is there food?
Visits average two to four hours. Plan for meals and snacks, because only light refreshments are sold at the gift shop. The Polar Express film runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
Are the outdoor rides running?
No. The outdoor site is closed for the season. The rail bike, the Claude Lesage ride and the passenger train ride are out of service indefinitely because of an obstacle on the railway.
More Christmas Events Near Saint-Constant
More Christmas Events near Saint-Constant
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.