Rides depart every 30 minutes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on select dates! ! And, in response to the overwhelming popularity of our Tuesday rides, the Museum is thrilled to expand the schedule to include Sunday Goose Rides starting in March and running through mid-May! 

Admission & Ride: $14 adults, $7 ages 2-17, $12 age 60+. Free for Museum members and children under age 2.

SELECT THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS

August 1, 2025
August 2, 2025
August 3, 2025
August 7, 2025
August 16, 2025
August 23, 2025
August 30, 2025

SELECT SATURDAYS

October 4, 2025
October 11, 2025
October 25, 2025

COLORADO CROSSINGS: May 17-18, 2025

Denver’s largest annual rail enthusiast event—the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Colorado Crossings steam-up weekend—returns for 2025 on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18!  This year’s theme, “Fanning the Future!” commemorates the pioneering railfan groups which gave many Coloradans their first taste of up-close-and-personal railroading, and led to the preservation of locomotives and cars that are highly revered today by the “next generation” of railroad enthusiasts.

DINOSAUR EXPRESS TRAIN: May 31-June 1, 2025

Dinosaurs are coming back to Golden, Colorado…only this time, they are arriving on the Dinosaur Express Train! On May 31st and June 1st, railroad tracks will meet dinosaur tracks for a weekend of family fun at the Colorado Railroad Museum as the Dinosaur Express Train chugs into the station.

The world’s first Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus fossils were discovered at nearby Dinosaur Ridge, and Golden is where the first T-Rex tooth fossil was found. So, it’s only fitting that two of every kid’s favorite things—dinosaurs and trains—come together for this fun festival.

COLORADO POWER DAYS: June 14-15, 2025

This weekend, the focus will be on power of all types—check out antique tractors, hit-and-miss engines, vintage automobiles, even a fire truck. And of course, steam locomotion, too! There will be fun activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Advance purchase of admission and train ride tickets recommended.

GOLD RUSH DAYS: August 9-10, 2025

As summer begins to wind down celebrate Colorado’s Gold Rush heritage with special programming and ride behind one of the last coal-fired steam locomotives operating in Colorado!

Activities will include Gold Panning demonstrations, turntable demonstrations, and more happening around the Museum’s 15-acre railyard. Plenty of photo opportunities will of course also be on hand—including the Museum’s very own mascot, Spike the Railroad Dog! Food and tasty treats will also be available for purchase.

HARVEST HAUNT EXPRESS: October 18-19, 2025

The Colorado Railroad Museum’s annual Halloween-themed steam-up event is back! Grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities taking place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., including train rides. Guests are encouraged to come in costume for Trick-or-Treating!

Enjoy the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard, “not-so-spooky” Haunted Railcars and a hay bale maze. Bring your camera, and get a great picture of your group’s costumes in front of the Pumpkin Patch cart. Tasty treats and lunchtime food options will be available for purchase.

An authentic, coal burning Colorado steam locomotive will pull trains for this event. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Capacity is limited, so advance ticket purchase is recommended!

Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into Golden, Colorado for three weekends of fun this September as the annual Day Out With Thomas event celebrates 30 years of fun-filled family memories! THE PARTY TOUR will be stopping at the Colorado Railroad Museum on the weekends of September 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21, 2025.

Day Out With Thomas™ is a fun-filled family event that takes place at Heritage Railways across the country. Every ticket includes a train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine as well as access to a full day of activities for all to enjoy including live entertainment, photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt, lawn games and shopping at the pop-up gift shop for exclusive Thomas swag.

Tickets for this Day Out With Thomas™ event go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, July 29. Ticket prices are $25 for ages 1 and up (service charges and fees may apply). Capacity will be limited, and advanced tickets are required. Walk-up sales will not be available. Sales open at 9am beginning on Tuesday July 29, 2025 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025 for Museum Members).

For a list of  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Day Out With Thomas™ event at the Colorado Railroad Museum, Click Here!

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

WHO:       Day Out With Thomas™ the Tank Engine! 
WHAT:     Family Fun in an outdoor environment. Highlights include: 

• 20-minute Train Ride (at a specified time) led by a full-sized, talking Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive.  

• Admission to select portions of the Colorado Railroad Museum with outdoor offerings and activities included 

• Fun activities and entertainment featuring: 

• Live entertainment including trainyard gameshows, puppet shows and even stilt walkers! 

• Say hello to Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway. 

• Bubble activities like bubble blowing and bubble bouncer-ball racing in the Bubble Zone. 

• Photo opportunities throughout the event, including with Thomas himself. 

• Play with Thomas & Friends toys then pick out a temporary tattoo in the Play Pod. 

• An activity sheet that will guide guests through the event experience highlighting the four key station stops to visit for a free giveaway. 

• Outdoor Scale Model Trains operating all day long at the Denver Garden Railway Society’s permanent on-site, landscaped G-gauge railroad. 

• Push a Locomotive Around aboard a 120-year old, “armstrong”-powered railroad turntable 

• Step-On Access to selected historic railroad cars and locomotives.  

• Pop-up gift shop on site with exclusive Thomas & Friends™ products only available at Day Out With Thomas™. 

• Food and drinks available on-site for purchase. 

For more information about Day Out With Thomas™ at the Colorado Railroad Museum, visit our Day Out With Thomas FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Page by Clicking Here. 

WHEN:     September 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21 (Saturdays & Sunday) 

• Tickets include a train ride at a designated time selected at the point of purchase, plus admission to museum grounds and all activities for up to three hours. Purchase tickets online at www.dayoutwiththomas.com 

WHERE:     Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403 

Tickets for this Day Out With Thomas™ event go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (tickets will go on-sale to Museum Members July 22, 2025). Ticket prices $25 for ages 1 and up – service charges and fees may apply. Advanced tickets are required. Walk-up sales will not be available. 

Rides depart every 30 minutes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on select Tuesdays! And, in response to the overwhelming popularity of our Tuesday rides, the Museum is thrilled to expand the schedule to include Sunday Goose Rides starting in March and running through mid-May! 

Sundays (Autumn)
August 17, 2025
August 24, 2025
August 31, 2025
October 5, 2025
October 12, 2025
October 26, 2025

Admission & Ride: $14 adults, $7 ages 2-17, $12 age 60+. Free for Museum members and children under age 2.

Boulder County Free Admission Days:
In celebration of our partnership with the city of Boulder, Colorado, the Museum is excited to offer free general admission select dates to all residents of Boulder County. If you count yourself as a Boulder County resident, we invite you to visit in 2025! Proof of residency is required.

Catch an optional train ride behind inside vintage passenger cars! Grounds & exhibits open 9am to 5pm. Rides operate 10am to 3pm.

May 23, 2025
August 8, 2025
October 17, 2025

Admission: Free
Ride Tickets: $4 Adults (18+), $2 Children (2-17). Museum members and children under the age of 2 are free.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ offers a unique, three-part theatrical extravaganza of Holiday Magic. Holiday Caroling and the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance kick things off each evening, performed in our newly renovated, heated POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. A ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches, pulled by an authentic, coal-fired steam locomotive, is next. And finally, visiting with Santa tops off the experience!

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, October 3. Museum Members will have an exclusive pre-purchase opportunity beginning one week earlier. Not a Member? Click Here to learn about the benefits of Museum Membership, including advance purchase opportunities for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride!
Watch for further updates right here on our website. All Aboard for Holiday Magic!

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
The experience begins in our newly renovated THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. Here you, your family and friends will gather around tables, sing carols, and watch a cabaret-style show as the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance unfolds before your eyes. Nibble on a tasty cookie, and sip your hot chocolate as the story of The Polar Express is dramatically re-enacted before your eyes.

The experience continues, as you step outside to witness the dramatic arrival of THE POLAR EXPRESS™. This symphony of smoke and steam emerges from the darkness, and the Conductor loudly asks if anyone would like climb aboard. Soon, you’re on your way to—the North Pole? Well yes, of course! There, you watch eagerly as the elves sing and dance, and Santa gives out The First Gift of Christmas.
Once the train with its sleepy passengers returns from the North Pole, you’ll have the opportunity to visit with Santa—and pick up your very own First Gift of Christmas, a Silver Bell! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride remains an experience that you won’t want to miss. The entire, multi-part show is updated each year to feature several new twists!

TICKETING OPTIONS
For 2024, two ticketing levels are available: Standard Seating and First Class. For Standard Seating, guests may purchase tickets for the specific number in your party. First Class seating remains available for purchase only in tables of four.

We’re pleased to offer Discounted Pricing on all performances before Thanksgiving! In past years (including 2020-2022) this event has sold out quickly. For 2024, you won’t want to wait to purchase your tickets! 

Standard Seating
$80/person ages 2-15, $100/person ages 16 and older (Lap Riders under age 2 Free)
Performances prior to Thanksgiving, 10% off rates listed above

Your group will be seated together in THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion for the cabaret-style show, and then you’ll board one of three coaches for your ride to the North Pole! Hot cocoa, cookie, and—of course—a Silver Bell is included with each ticket. Lap Riders do not have access to individual seating. NOTE: Groups wishing to be seated together must purchase all tickets in a single transaction.

First Class
$475/table of four (plus up to two Lap Riders under age 2 free)
Performances prior to Thanksgiving, 10% off rate listed above

First Class groups are seated together right in front of the stage in our THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. Then, you’ll board our parlor car to share your own table for your ride to the North Pole! First Class seating is available only as a complete table; your group can be up to four in size per table (plus up to two lap riders). Each table receives four commemorative Polar Express cocoa mugs, a copy of The Polar Express illustrated hardbound book, plus two special, added gifts. Hot cocoa, cookies, and—of course—First Class Silver Bells are included! 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For 2024, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride performances are scheduled three times each evening. The season launches with performances various evenings each week, increasing to daily after Thanksgiving. Opening Night is November 10, and the final performances take place on December 23.

Arrival time is very important for 2024 due to our Polar Express Pavilion seating arrangements. Please make sure you’re on time so you don’t miss any of the cabaret-style pre-show, Hot Chocolate song and dance performance, and dramatic reading and re-enactment of The Polar Express story. Suggested arrival times are 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:30 p.m. to enjoy the pre-show; the Main Show begins promptly at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., or 8 p.m. Your magical train ride to the North Pole follows, but it’s only one chapter in a multi-part theatrical experience!
COVID PRECAUTIONS
Should masking or other precautions be mandated by local, state and/or federal authorities aboard trains or indoors, we’ll follow their guidance and let you know right away. Updated Information will be posted at this same site as it becomes available.

Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26, 2026

At this celebration of toy trains and scale model railroading, guests will “marvel at the minis” while exploring the Museum’s impressive small-scale railroads, including the extensive on-site layouts operated by the Denver Garden Railway Society and the Denver HO Model Railroad Club.

For this special weekend, the High Plains 3-Railers will set up a modular O gauge layout in the Museum Pavilion, bringing even more miniature trains to life. This means there will be O gauge, HO, and G gauge trains in operation all weekend long! Both days, there will be opportunities for guests (under supervision) to participate in actually operating trains on the Garden Railroad layout! And, live operators will staff the HO model railroad layout in the Museum Depot basement both days, allowing guests to see the entire layout in action and to ask questions.

Videos highlighting the history of both layouts will air on the Pavilion’s video wall throughout the day, and live, narrated presentations in the Depot Upper Gallery will showcase how Toy Trains and Scale Models differ from each other, and the differences between Scale and Gauge in miniature railroading. And, in addition to the small trains, there will be big rides! Steam train rides will be offered on Saturday, and Galloping Goose rides on Sunday. Whether you’re a longtime train enthusiast or just discovering the world of model railroading, this event is perfect for all ages. All Aboard! 

Activities and demonstrations take place each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rides will depart every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Advance purchase of admission and train ride tickets is recommended. Admission (with Ride): $14 adults, $7 ages 2-17, $12 age 60+. Free for Museum members and children under age 2. Goose Rides are NOT wheelchair accessible.

UPCOMING EVENTS BY DATE