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Sponsors
The City of Raleigh and the Rotary Club of Crabtree would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions to Holiday Express 2024.
Silver
Johnson Lexus
Carousel Sponsor
WRAL
Snow Globe
Wake Med
Red
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
York Properties, Inc
The UnIntentionals
Green
KICKS Taekwondo
Lifetime Asset Management, LLC
Morningstar Law Group
North State Bank
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Raleigh Picnic Co.
Santa's Helpers
Appletree Day Care/Applebee's Childcare Development Center-
City of Oaks Law
GMH Realty
Kratt Dedmond & Associates
Rust Wealth Management Group
North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Pleasants Electric
SJ Adams, Inc
Stevens Martin Vaughn & Tadych PLLC
Triangle on the Cheap DOT Com/ Mace. Publishing LLC
For more information on becoming a sponsor of Holiday Express, please email HolidayExpress@Raleighnc.gov.
Ticketing
- When ticket sales open at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16, all guests in the queue will be randomized and placed into line.
- All guests arriving at the website after 9 a.m. will be placed at the end of the queue.
- If you lose access to the site at any time, please re-enter the queue by going to RecLink.
- Tickets are limited to 8 per household/credit card/IP Address. Any guests who have purchased more than 8 tickets may have all of their tickets canceled.
- Tickets are $17 plus tax per guest and are non-refundable. Tickets can be gifted or resold at face value and then shared with the new guest via email or text. Tickets will retain the information of the original guest who purchased the tickets. Tickets are required for all guests ages one and older (12 months and under do not require a ticket.)
- The train time you purchase is the time you are required to ride. Requests for changes to train times cannot be honored. Please arrive at the train station at your scheduled time. Wait times may be between 15-30 minutes.
- Tickets will be emailed to the address you provided. If you do not see it, please check your SPAM folder, the email will come from Raleigh Parks.
- For information about the event or specific ticketing questions, call 919-996-6468 or email HolidayExpress@Raleighnc.gov.
The resale of admission tickets for Holiday Express at Pullen Park is limited in accordance with the certification from the Secretary of State of North Carolina.
To avoid scams, only purchase tickets through the official City of Raleigh system. Please be careful of offers from third-party sellers since we cannot verify their legitimacy.
Event Information
Dates: December 2 - 18
Times: 5-9:30 p.m.
*Gates will open for all guests at 4:30 p.m. on each date except Dec. 7 and 15 to accommodate an earlier train ride added this year due to guest demand. During this additional 30 minutes, we will have limited activities and experiences available including Santa Claus, the Reindeer Food, and the Crafty Elves stations, with the full event set to open at 5 p.m.
Sensory Friendly Event Information
Dates: Dec. 7 and 15
Times: 3 - 5 p.m.
Back by popular demand is a sensory-friendly event. This event is designed to create a more enjoyable atmosphere for individuals with sensory needs. This sensory-friendly event will include:
- Lower-decibel music
- Decreased capacity to provide more space between crowds
- Less walking between activities
- Access to a quiet area to decompress from sensory overload.
While you will be enjoying our holiday lights during daylight hours, there will still be some lights that have easy or slow movements. Sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, and additional supplies will be available.
Your ticket grants you entry to the park at 3 p.m., with your specific train time being selected at purchase.
Holiday Express Parking
- Main parking for Holiday Express will be free and located at the Coliseum Parking Deck on the NC State University Campus.
- The deck can be accessed via Western Boulevard in either direction by heading towards Pullen Road and then turning onto Dunn Ave.
Please note that sections of the deck may be unavailable, and you should abide by the signage posted.
- This location is a short walk from the back of Pullen Park where the event entrance is located.
- Accessible parking and spaces for those with mobility needs are available at the Pullen Park lot located at 520 Ashe Avenue.
- Rideshare/drop-off should enter the Pullen Park lot located at 520 Ashe Avenue and then make a left towards the main entrance.
- Other vehicles may be turned away at this location.
Activities
This is an outdoor event – please dress accordingly. Indoor space will not be available for guests. We will operate in light rain and/or snow.
Holidays Highway
Join us for a stroll around the lake and remember some of our best holidays of the year. You will ring in the New Year as you enter the Holidays Highway at the top of the stairs near the event lawn. Make your way along the path to take a selfie with a cupid or a leprechaun. Enjoy the flowers and bunnies before walking through our patriotic area and more.
The Holiday Express
Your designated ride time is located on your event ticket. Arrive with your entire group at the train station at your scheduled time. Three guests maximum to a seat, including children and infants. Wait time may be between 15-30 minutes.
Santa’s Toy Shop
Santa has transformed our Southern Railroad caboose into his mobile workshop where he’s been storing some of the toys the elves have finished. In addition, it’s become his home away from home while he’s in Raleigh! Stop by for a walk-through experience where you might even be able to see the big man himself! Due to the popularity of this experience, traditional sit-down photo opportunities will not be available, but you will likely have time for a brief chat and maybe even a selfie for the digital scrapbook.
Please note that this experience may be modified or removed due to circumstances beyond our control.
Santa’s Snack Shack
The Pullen Cafe offers a variety of options for all guests, including those with dietary restrictions and/or allergies so everyone in the family can enjoy something. Additionally, Santa’s Snack Shack will be in Shelter 1 to offer an assortment of Holiday treats. For more information about Pullen Café or to see this year’s Holiday Express menu, visit www.PullenCafe.com or call 919-803-0030.
S'more Station
Enjoy a delicious complimentary treat and learn about holiday fire safety from the Raleigh Fire Department.
Carousel
Lions, tigers, and REINDEER, oh my! Choose your favorite animal and enjoy unlimited rides on the historic Dentzel carousel while singing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes played on our authentic Wurlitzer organ.
Candy Cane Lane
Visit the crafty elves and create your own souvenir to bring home with you. While you’re up there, don’t forget to make a bag of reindeer food to bring home for the nine highflyers on their big night. Have you written your letter to Santa yet? Stop by the post office and take some time to write a letter or drop off the one you brought with you. Take a turn on our candy themed inflatables and games including Hansel and Gretel’s Great Escape.
ELF I.T. (In Training)
On Santa’s sleigh ride into Raleigh, a whole bunch of his presents fell out of the sleigh as he was coming in for a landing. We need YOUR help to find these presents hidden all around the park. Get your Elf I.D. and PAL (present activity locator) before starting your training. At the end of your night’s work, don’t forget to stop inside the welcome center to collect your elf paycheck!
Gift Shop/Welcome Center
If you have any issues or emergencies, stop by the welcome center for immediate assistance.
This is also the spot for fun-themed merchandise, including our $15 limited-edition carousel animal ornaments, or our train ornament from the Charleston Mint! This year’s edition will be a replica of one of the carousel horses.
Sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, and additional supplies will be available.
Gingerbread Grove
Experience our 27-foot-tall Gingerbread Glide, the Ava-launch, the Gumdrop Grab, and the Gingerbread Jam. The gameplay is unlimited, so take as many chances as you need to get a high score.
Arctic Avenue
Visit this frosty playground where you can participate in a variety of games and activities like the Frosty Fling and the Penguin Escape! Get your dancing shoes on for our Blizzard Boogie with an assortment of games, prizes, and our always-poplar snowball fight!
Rotary Snow Globe Experience
Ever wonder what it’s like for those people in the scenes on the inside of a snow globe? Now’s your chance to find out about this extremely popular experience provided by the Rotary Club of Crabtree.
Inclement Weather Plan
In the case of severe weather (rain with extremely wet conditions, high winds and/or lightning, extremely cold conditions with ice and/or snow), Holiday Express may be canceled. Weather conditions are evaluated on a daily basis. Event cancellations will be made by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Registered guests will be notified by email and information will be posted on the Holiday Express website. Available rain date options will be presented at that time.
Refunds
All sales are final, and no refunds will be provided. Tickets can be gifted or resold at face value and then shared with the new guests via email or text message. Tickets will retain the information of the original guest who purchased the tickets. Questions regarding extenuating circumstances may be emailed to: holidayexpress@raleighnc.gov
