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Rhode Island Polar Express Train Rides (2024) : A Complete Guide

Last revised: January 1, 2024

By:  Adam Burns

Despite the state's small size, Rhode Island is home to one of the exclusively licensed "The Polar Express" train rides hosted by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in Woonsocket.

Polar Express train rides are an immersive experience that brings the story of Chris Van Allsburg's magical story to life. The trains are decorated to resemble the train from the book, and the conductors and other staff are dressed in period attire. Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas, just like the boy in the story, and are treated to hot chocolate, cookies, and other holiday treats.

The holiday trips are a magical experience that brings the beloved Christmas story to life. With beautiful scenery, holiday treats, and the chance to meet Santa Claus, these train rides are a beloved tradition for many families. If you're looking for a unique and memorable way to celebrate the holiday season, consider taking an officially licensed "The Polar Express" train ride.

Other Activities

If you might be interested in other activities for the whole family, Rhode Island is a state that knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. There are plenty of family-friendly events taking place throughout the holiday season, from festivals to light displays to visits with Santa. Here are just a few of the popular Christmas events in Rhode Island that are perfect for families:

(Newport): This festival runs from late November through January and features a wide range of holiday events and activities, including ice skating, visits with Santa, a holiday bazaar, and more. There's also a holiday light display along the waterfront, making for a magical evening stroll.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

(Newport): If you're looking for something a little more upscale, the Newport Mansions offer a unique Christmas experience. Each mansion is decked out in holiday decor, with special events like live music, holiday workshops, and visits with Santa.

Festival of Lights

(Bristol): This drive-through light display features over 100,000 lights, synchronized to music. Visitors can tune their radios to a specific frequency and enjoy the show from the comfort of their own cars. There's also a Christmas village with vendors and food trucks.

Enchanted Village

(Smithfield): This outdoor holiday display features over 100,000 lights, a giant Christmas tree, and various holiday-themed displays. Visitors can also take a train ride through the park and meet Santa Claus.

Christmas at the Zoo

(Providence): The Roger Williams Park Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with twinkling lights, carolers, and animal encounters. There's also a holiday marketplace with local vendors and crafts.

The Providence Rink

(Providence): This outdoor ice skating rink is open during the holiday season and offers a festive atmosphere with holiday music, twinkling lights, and hot cocoa. There's also a visit from Santa on select days.

Slater Park Festival of Lights

(Pawtucket): This annual holiday light display features more than one million lights, music, and holiday scenes throughout the park. Visitors can drive through the display or walk through the park and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Christmas at the Newport Art Museum

(Newport): This holiday event features a stunning display of decorated trees throughout the museum, decorated by local artists and designers. There are also holiday-themed workshops, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Roger Williams Park Holiday Lights

(Providence): Another holiday light display, this one takes place at the Roger Williams Park. Visitors can drive or walk through the park to enjoy the festive light displays and holiday music.

These are just a few of the many family-friendly Christmas events taking place throughout Rhode Island. Whether you're looking for a festive light display or a visit with Santa, there's something for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season in the Ocean State.

2024 Dates Will Be Included As They Become Available!

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council 

(Woonsocket) :   As its name suggests, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council aims to market Rhode Island's beautiful and historical Blackstone River Valley. 

It has been doing so for the last 30+ years.  One way it helps promote the region is by hosting official The Polar Express train rides in conjunction with the Providence & Worcester. 

These trips (lasting about 90 minutes) depart from the beautifully restored Providence & Worcester/New York, New Haven & Hartford wooden depot in Woonsocket built in 1882.   Today, this stretch of railroad is operated by the Genesee & Wyoming, the largest operator of short line freight railroads in the nation.

The Polar Express Dates: 

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

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It is quite staggering and a must visit!

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THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride 2023

Blackstone valley train station, woonsocket, ri.

Enjoy an exciting experience along THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride presented by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council! Arrive early for photo opportunities and fun at the train station, followed by a ninety-minute train ride that includes reading The Polar Express, hot cocoa, and cookies! Your show starts at the ticketed time and train boarding starts 15 minutes after the ticketed time.  To view the seating chart image, please CLICK HERE.

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11/14/2022: Pawtucket Times – Polar Express Returns to Blackstone Valley

11/7/2022: bvtc – blackstone valley polar express begins friday, 11/11, 3:30 pm, 1/9/2023: want to be rhode island’s cherry blossom princess this year, polar express returns to blackstone valley.

Cherished tradition continues as the Polar Express train ride returns this year, courtesy of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

Like last year’s experience, which marked the return of the event after a pandemic cancelation in 2020, this year will consist of a 90-minute train ride to and from the “North Pole.” Unlike last year, many of the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, though James Toomey, a spokesperson for the BVTC said they are still following state and federal health guidelines.  More

Event Page | Website

March 26, 2024

Weather Forecast

37°, light drizzle fog/mist

Blackstone Valley Polar Express Train Ride returns for holiday season

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Once again, people of all ages are eagerly awaiting the captivating magic that the holiday season brings.

Come and join the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC) as they kick off the 2021 season with their production of the popular Blackstone Valley Polar Express Train Ride presented by Navigant Credit Union.

This three-hour experience is based on the popular children’s book “The Polar Express” by noted Rhode Island author Chris Van Allsburg, which was also made into an animated family movie featuring Tom Hanks.

Put on your pajamas for this trip, which includes a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train filled with a reading of the classic children’s story, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate, a delicious Polar Express cookie, games, and a special visit from Santa to deliver the first gift of Christmas to every child! During the trip passengers will view the North Pole that includes a giant 35-foot Christmas tree, gorgeous decorations, and “elves” to welcome the train’s arrival, performed by children from The Dance Step. After returning from the trip, families can stay for a photo with Santa in the historic Blackstone Valley Train Depot.

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council President Bob Billington states, “we’re excited to be back in Woonsocket. We love working there and being a part of Rhode Island’s holiday season festivities.”

A notable change to previous Blackstone Valley Polar Express Train Rides is that all pre-boarding activities will take place outside of the depot. Under a large beautifully-lit tent passengers will have the opportunity to take photos in front of custom-made Polar Express backdrops with some of the characters from the show, as well as peruse the officially-licensed Polar Express Gift Shop, and enjoy children’s activities and writing letters to Santa.

A wonderful addition to this year’s event is a brand-new stage show orchestrated by renowned performer Emily Luther (“The Voice”); John Guevremont, creative director at Mount Saint Charles; and students from this acclaimed academy that will take guests through the introduction of the beloved Polar Express story! This show will begin 30 minutes before each trip and will lead passengers right into the calling of “All Aboard” with our Conductor and boarding the train.

BVTC is seeking volunteers for various positions at the Blackstone Valley Polar Express. Those interested in being a part of this event should contact Joan Loos at [email protected] or call (401) 724-2200.

For more information and tickets, visit www.blackstonevalleypolarexpress.com or call the ticketing office at (401) 495-1213

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Tickets Still Available for Blackstone Valley’s Polar Express

Thursday, September 28, 2017

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

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Polar Express

The Polar Express runs on weekends from November 17 through December 23 from the Blackstone Valley Train Depot in Woonsocket.

Riding the Polar Express

The three-hour event includes a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train with storytelling, sing-a-longs, games, delicious cookies, hot chocolate served in a collectible souvenir mug, and a special visit from Santa where he personally delivers the first gift of Christmas to every child.

Guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before the trip for photo opportunities besides custom-made Polar Express backdrops with the characters of the show, a kids area that includes coloring and writing letters to Santa, and the official Polar Express gift shop.

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Latest News For Immediate Release: Press Contact: BLACKSTONE VALLEY TOURISM COUNCIL’S POLAR EXPRESS HELPS THE HUNGRY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Donations of non-perishable food will be collected during the annual Polar Express Train Ride, November 22- December 21 Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC) will help feed hungry families this holiday season by serving as a collection for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, as part of BVTC’s Polar Express Train Rides, happening November 22-December 21, in Woonsocket , RI . People who come to the Polar Express Train Rides this season are urged to donate non-perishable food items that will be distributed to by the Food Bank through its statewide network of food pantries and meal sites. “We are very pleased to partner with the Food Bank in their ongoing efforts to help meet the growing needs of hungry people in Rhode Island by having our event be a public participation effort where people can make a real difference in others lives in the community,” said BVTC president Dr. Robert D. Billington. Currently, the Food Bank provides food to 63,000 people per month through its member agencies, who work on the front lines of hunger in every community of the state. One in three served is a child under the age of 18, and a growing number are seniors living on sparse fixed incomes. “This partnership with BVTC’s Polar Express is a perfect example of how we can work together to bring the joy of the holidays to people who are struggling just to put food on the table for their families,” said Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We love it when children are included in this valuable life lesson about caring for their neighbors who may be having a tough time making ends meet.” Anyone who drops off non-perishable food goods at the event can also participate in a surprise drawing, with details to be announced. The Polar Express Train Ride, operating from the historic Woonsocket Train Depot, in Downtown Woonsocket, is now in its 15th season of operation. Passengers are taken by train, on the Providence & Worcester Railroad, to venture to the “North Pole” to meet Santa. Each year over 12 thousand people have experienced the captivating magic of the Holiday Season with these interactive family fun oriented excursions, inspired by the popular children’s book The Polar Express, written by famed Rhode Island based author Chris Van Allsburg. The book also became a popular animated movie, which was released in 2004, starring Tom Hanks. More information on tickets and schedule for the Polar Express Train Ride are available here . For more information on the Food Bank and its programs and services, or to make any cash contributions to support their efforts, visit www.rifoodbank.org . Back to News Page

*NOTE: Please check the event’s website for any potential updates. _____

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Blackstone Valley Polar Express

November 30, 2019 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Step into the enchanted world of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Blackstone Valley as the conductor shouts, “All Aboard!”

Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas classic, this family favorite becomes reality during a 3-hour event that includes a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train with a reading of the classic children’s story, sing-a-longs, games, hot chocolate served in a collectible souvenir mug, delicious cookies, games, and a special visit from Santa where he personally delivers the first gift of Christmas to every child. After we return to the depot from our train ride to view the North Pole, stay for a complementary photo with Santa. These photos often make great Christmas cards…and are memories that last a lifetime!!!

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