Tickets for Grapevine's North Pole Express train and dozens of other Christmas Capital of Texas events go on sale Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m.
The Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced the on-sale date Sept. 24, noting that the 45-minute excursions aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad sell out quickly.
The rides, co-presented by AE Texas and Great Wolf Lodge, carry passengers through Christmas singalongs and a visit with Santa in 1920s-era coaches.
North Pole Express runs begin Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and operate most days through Dec. 30. The train will not run Dec. 3, Dec. 24 or Dec. 25.
Tickets cost $45 to $50 per person, sold by the bench. Each bench seats two. Buyers can purchase up to 10 benches at a time. Children under 2 ride as lap riders for $6.
The CVB advises shoppers to browse dates and seating at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com before the on-sale window opens. Once the link goes live, buyers may be placed in a queue. The bureau's tip: do not refresh your browser.
Beyond the train, tickets for several other holiday attractions also go on sale Oct. 1 at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com:
- Peace Plaza Ice Rink, sponsored by Baylor Scott and White Grapevine
- Christmas Wine Trains, three dates aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad
- Classic Christmas movies at the Historic Palace Theatre, sponsored by Amazon
- Christmas Cartoons & Crafts at Lancaster Theatre, sponsored by Amazon
- Hometown Christmas at the Grapevine Tower Gallery
- Christmas activities at the Settlement to City Museums
- Historic Nash Farm Christmas events
- Christmas at the Grapevine Observation Tower
Grapevine's full Christmas Capital of Texas season, which the CVB says includes more than 1,400 events over 40 days, opens Monday, Nov. 23 with the 38th Annual Carol of Lights on Historic Main Street, according to the CVB's season overview.
The 47th Annual Parade of Lights follows Dec. 3, featuring 100 lighted floats and marching bands along the same stretch of downtown.
