We are grateful for all of the families that have supported the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation throughout the years as attendees of our Polar Express event. As many of you know, the Polar Express is our main fundraiser- enabling VCTF to support important prevention programs for children across Vermont. We hope that you will take a moment to read about the programs that you help to support here!
The demand for Polar Express tickets has grown exponentially over the past few years and in an effort to provide greater access to tickets for everyone, we will continue to evolve our ticketing process to reach as many families as possible. Most significantly, we are reserving hundreds of tickets to be sold to the general public with the hope that families who have not been able to ride in the past, will have an opportunity to do so. We expect the demand for these tickets to be greater than the allotment and will select names randomly from those who express an interest.
2026 POLAR EXPRESS DATES: DECEMBER 5th and 6th, 2026
- 2026 Polar Express tickets are $40 per person.
- There is a limit of five tickets per order.
- Children under 2, sitting in a lap do not need a ticket.
Those who donate $250 or more to VCTF are our most generous supporters. These Bell Ringer Family Sponsors will be acknowledged in our Song Book and will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets. Ticketing will open in mid-July for these donors. To make your Bell Ringer donation, click here.
The first 125 people who donate $100 or more will be guaranteed an opportunity to purchase tickets. The number of families eligible to purchase tickets will be capped at about 125 families in order to preserve tickets for the general public. Ticketing for these families will open in late July. Once this opportunity has closed, we will note this information on our donation link and on our website. To make your $100+ donation and guarantee your ability to purchase tickets, click here.
Over 700 tickets will be made available without donation to the general public. We will randomly select individuals from a list of those interested and provide a window of time to purchase tickets. If you wish to be placed on this list, please click here. Ticketing will open for these families in September.
We will hold tickets for our corporate supporters to ensure that all sponsors are able to purchase the tickets to which they are entitled. For sponsorship levels and ticketing information, please click here. Ticketing for our sponsors will open in August.
Volunteers: This event is not possible without the 700+ volunteers who help to bring the magic of the North Pole to Burlington, Vermont. Volunteer registration will open in August, 2026 and remain open through mid- September. All that sign up prior to the volunteer sign up deadline will be afforded an opportunity to purchase tickets.
*** You will receive further updates and a link to purchase tickets via email. Please do not unsubscribe or you may miss your opportunity to purchase tickets!
Donated tickets: Through our sponsors and generous donors, we are able to donate hundreds of tickets to organizations serving children in Vermont. Thank you!
Thank you!! There is much good that comes from this event and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you. As always, we are happy to answer your questions and welcome your feedback. For those who have made this ride a family tradition, and for those who have never taken part, we invite you to watch this short video created by Lot7 Media which captures the essence of VCTF’s Polar Express.
If you have questions about The Polar Express, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page here or email us at info@vtchildrenstrust.org.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride photos courtesy of Stephen Mease Photography.
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.