Thank you for considering volunteering at the Polar Express!
Each December, we rely on the spirit of hundreds of volunteers to bring our magical journey alive for over 3,600 passengers who visit our ‘North Pole.’
Volunteer registration will open in mid-August and volunteers will have the opportunity to purchase up to 5 tickets between August 15th and September 15th for a train time that does not overlap with your volunteer time slot. We are unable to guarantee access to tickets for volunteers who register after September 15th.
This year's event will be held on December 5 & 6, 2026. Volunteer shifts are approximately 4 hours, and shift times vary depending on the role - the first shifts are late morning to afternoon and the second shifts are afternoon-evening. Pick the volunteer position which best suits you. The shift times are specified on the registration forms. For more details, read on!
If you have volunteered in the past as a chef or conductor, please contact Amanda@vtchildrenstrust.org to volunteer in that role.
1. BE AN ELF:
We need hundreds of elves to welcome passengers as they pull into the station (North Pole). Our horde of elves form a receiving line OUTSIDE the station entrance, reaching from the first train car to the last train car, stretching as it narrows to the entrance of the station. We encourage you to hoot, holler, shout, clap, make noise and show wild enthusiasm when the train arrives! As the families and children walk by, kneel down and whisper Merry Christmas and be sure to use the names of the smallest children (each child will be wearing a name tag).
Elf shifts are available on Saturday and Sunday December 6th and 7th at the following times:
Saturday, 12/5/26, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Saturday, 12/5/26, 3:30pm - 8:00pm
Sunday, 12/6/26, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Sunday, 12/6/26, 3:30pm - 8:00pm
Organizations and Student Groups: We welcome school and corporate groups that wish to volunteer as elves together! You will use a separate registration form to sign up as a group. If you have any questions, please contact Theo Clark at theo@vtchildrenstrust.org.
2. BE AN ENGINEER:
Engineers inside the Wing building welcome families, write name tags, hand out golden tickets to the children, entertain children, collect books for Santa’s sack and send passengers on their way to the North Pole.
Engineers outside the Wing building are the gateway to adventure; it is your mission to greet passengers arriving on the bike path, ringing the bell that welcomes them to the entrance of the Wing building. You will be outside for this role, and will want to dress warmly!
Engineer shifts are available on Saturday and Sunday December 6th and 7th at the following times:
Saturday, 12/5/26, 10:45am - 3:00pm
Saturday, 12/5/26, 2:45pm - 7:00pm
Sunday, 12/6/26, 10:45am - 3:00pm
Sunday, 12/6/26, 2:45pm - 7:30pm (includes help with cleanup)
3. WORK BEHIND THE SCENES:
We have several opportunities to volunteer behind the scenes. You can help set up and decorate the station during the week prior to the event. During the event, you may sign up to help with parking or can help to clean up after the last train on Sunday or on Monday morning.
Monday 11/30/2026 Decorating Crew, 10am-2pm
Tuesday 12/1/2026 Decorating Crew, 11am-3pm
Wednesday 12/2/2026 Decorating Crew, 10am-2pm
Sunday 12/6/2026 Cleanup Crew, 7:15pm-10pm
Monday 12/7/2026 Cleanup Crew, 9:30am-1:30pm
If you have questions about volunteering, please contact Theo Clark at theo@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.