French Lick Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Tickets + Auditions

When my daughter was little, one of our most memorable holiday adventures was a magical train ride through Southern Indiana at dusk. As the sky darkened, the experience became increasingly enchanting. It started out normally enough when the conductor asked for our tickets. But soon, elves began dancing around and serving us hot chocolate. And then, to top it all off, Santa himself appeared and handed out the first Christmas gift to each child. It was truly a magical experience!

Ash

The French Lick Railway hosts the incredibly popular Polar Express Train Ride every November and December, and seats fill up fast.

All aboard! Inspired by the Warner Bros. film and award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, the magic of The Polar Express comes to life. Read along with the story as the train makes its magical round-trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, a treat and a special gift for each child. Families are encouraged to wear pajamas! Tickets must be purchased prior to event.

French Lick Scenic Railway

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How to Buy Tickets

Last year, the French Lick Railway added additional train cars which opened up more tickets for families. It’s no surprise they’re booking up quickly, so be sure to grab your tickets soon! You can purchase tickets right here.

Want to Be a Cast Member?

If you’ve got a flair for drama, you might want to audition for a role on the Polar Express! They’ve posted detailed information about the roles they’re looking to fill as well as time commitments on their Facebook page. Check it out if you’re interested in joining the cast!

All Aboard for auditions for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 2025 season! As the magic of the holiday season begins, we are thrilled to invite you to audition for the 2025 production of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the French Lick Scenic Railway.

Open call auditions will be held August 10th-11th and 13th-15th in a variety of locations. We will be casting for the following roles:

Elves/Chefs

Conductors

Stewards (NEW!)

Santas

Hobo (Understudy)

Hero Children

Whether you're ready to return to the North Pole or interested in exploring a new character this year, we'd love to see you at auditions and welcome you back aboard.

Below, you'll find all the details regarding auditions and dates for the 2025 season. We can't wait to see new and familiar faces - and new magic - at auditions!

Character Breakdown:

Elf: Age 13+, outgoing, personable, cheery, fun
Must learn dance steps and songs
Hero Child: Male or Female, 10+, mature yet youthful, able to stay in character
Conductor: Age 18+, personable, responsible, fun
Some singing and dancing required
Steward: Age 16+, personable, responsible, fun
Some singing and dancing required
Hobo: Male, 18+, outgoing, strong acting skills
Santa: Male, 45+, cheerful, sincere, full of Christmas spirit
Real beards required

Commitment Dates:

Orientation:
September 8
6:00 - 8:00 PM EST

Rehearsals:
Must attend at least 50% of rehearsals
Rehearsal dates:
9/11, 9/14, 9/16, 9/18, 9/23, 9/25, 9/28, 9/30, 10/2, 10/4, 10/7, 10/9, 10/12, 10/14, 10/16, 10/19, 10/21, 10/23, 10/27, 10/28, 10/29, 10/30

Performance Dates (3-show days | 2-show days):
3-show days:
11/1, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/14, 12/20

2-show days:
11/2, 11/7, 11/8, 11/9, 11/14, 11/15, 11/21, 11/22, 11/28, 11/29, 12/5, 12/6, 12/7, 12/12, 12/13, 12/19, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23

French Lick Scenic Railway via Facebook

What Do I Do If I Can't Get Tickets?

If you go to their website and can't get tickets, your next step is to call the office at 1.800.74.TRAIN. Hey, you never know!

If you can't get tickets for The Polar Express, check out the other trains they have coming up including The Wild West Express, Dinosaur Train, and the Chocolate, Beer, and Bourbon Tasting Excursions.

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Gallery Credit: Bobby G.