Polar Express trains visit SoCal

Get into your jammies and hop aboard the Polar Express for a train ride to the North Pole and back — without leaving Southern California. For the first time, the theatrical ride based on the holiday children’s book and movie is coming to the L.A. area.

Tickets are on sale for rides starting Nov. 14 on the Fillmore & Western Railway Co. in Fillmore (Ventura County) and Nov. 30 on the Southern California Railway Museum railway in Perris (Inland Empire). Rides continue through Dec. 29.

Tickets cost $45 to $85 for adults and $40 to $80 for children 2 to 11, depending on what class of service you choose.

During the ride, kids and guests read along from the book “The Polar Express,” by Chris Van Allsburg, who will appear for book signings on Dec. 4 (Fillmore) and Dec. 5 (Perris). Tickets include hot chocolate, a cookie, and a visit from Santa and his helpers. Each passenger receives a sleigh bell and golden ticket to take home. (Read the book to find out why.)

Info: socalthepolarexpressride.com