Nov6to Dec 20
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council · Woonsocket, RI
- Time
- Weekends
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
Christmas trains 2026Providence · The Creative Capital
Christmas train rides near Providence, 2026.
We found six Christmas trains within a drive of Providence with 2026 dates posted: two Polar Express rides, three Santa trains and one holiday lights train. The closest, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, is in Woonsocket. Each card has the dates, times, the ages it suits, the price as the operator lists it and whether you need to book ahead.
By date
Every Christmas train, by first date
Filter by kind of ride, then tap one for dates, ages, price and how to book.
6NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Polar Express · to Dec 20 · Woonsocket, RI20NovFriNorth Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Essex, CT · about 60 miles away20NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 40 miles away27NovFriEdaville's Winter Wonderland train and lightsLights train · to Dec 27 · Carver, MA · about 35 miles away27NovFriSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Thomaston, CT · about 85 miles away27NovFriThe TinselinerSanta train · to Dec 19 · Adams, MA · about 105 miles away
Polar Express · to Dec 20 · Woonsocket, RI20NovFriNorth Pole ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Essex, CT · about 60 miles away20NovFriTHE POLAR EXPRESS Train RidePolar Express · to Dec 23 · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 40 miles away27NovFriEdaville's Winter Wonderland train and lightsLights train · to Dec 27 · Carver, MA · about 35 miles away27NovFriSanta ExpressSanta train · to Dec 23 · Thomaston, CT · about 85 miles away27NovFriThe TinselinerSanta train · to Dec 19 · Adams, MA · about 105 miles awayNothing matches that filter yet.
Train rides
Polar Express, Santa and lights trains near Providence
Dates, ages, price and booking notes come from each railroad, zoo or park’s own page. The area line shows where you board.
Nov20to Dec 23
North Pole Express
Essex Steam Train · Essex, CT · about 60 miles away
- Time
- Fri–Sun Nov 20–22 and 27–29, Tue–Sun Dec 1–20, plus Dec 22–23; trains from 2 to 8 p.m.
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Sold online only; all sales final
Nov20to Dec 23
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Cape Cod Central Railroad · Buzzards Bay, MA · about 40 miles away
- Time
- Usually 2 p.m. on weekends, plus 4:30 and 7 p.m.; about 90 minutes
- Ages
- Child fares for ages 3–12; lap babies ride with a paying adult
- Price
- Standard Class from $44 child / $54 adult; higher classes cost more
- Tickets
- 2026 tickets on sale now
Nov27to Dec 27
Edaville's Winter Wonderland train and lights
Edaville Family Theme Park · Carver, MA · about 35 miles away
- Time
- Fri–Sun evenings plus Dec 26–27; closed Christmas Day
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Online tickets strongly recommended; nights often sell out
Nov27to Dec 23
Santa Express
Railroad Museum of New England (Naugatuck Railroad) · Thomaston, CT · about 85 miles away
- Time
- 12 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Ages
- All ages
- Price
- Coach seat for two $70; Hi-Level and Premium Coach for two $130; lounges cost more
- Tickets
- No cancellations without trip protection; a sensory-friendly train runs Nov 29
Nov27to Dec 19
The Tinseliner
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (Hoosac Valley Explorer) · Adams, MA · about 105 miles away
- Time
- Two or three departures a day between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Ages
- Not listed
- Price
- Not listed
- Tickets
- Book through the museum's FareHarbor calendar
Before you go
Three things that make train day easier
TicketsBook as soon as you canPolar Express and Santa trains often sell out weeks ahead, weekend evenings first.
DressPajamas are part of itMany Polar Express rides invite kids to come in pajamas. Bring a warm layer for the platform.
TimingPick a ride before bedtimeEarly departures are easier with toddlers. Late lights trains are better for older kids.Keep planning
More for little kids in Providence
November: things to do in ProvidenceEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ProvidenceEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ProvidenceFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in ProvidenceIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ProvidenceBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ProvidenceHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ProvidenceParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ProvidenceKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ProvidenceParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in ProvidenceBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in ProvidenceChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ProvidenceWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in ProvidenceStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in ProvidenceDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Christmas trains near Providence: the FAQ
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Woonsocket, RI: Nov 6 – Dec 20. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Buzzards Bay, MA · about 40 miles away: Nov 20 – Dec 23. Price: Standard Class from $44 child / $54 adult; higher classes cost more.
North Pole Express (Essex, CT · about 60 miles away): Nov 20 – Dec 23. Santa Express (Thomaston, CT · about 85 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 23. The Tinseliner (Adams, MA · about 105 miles away): Next: Fri Nov 27, Sun Nov 29, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 and 2 more.
Edaville's Winter Wonderland train and lights (Carver, MA · about 35 miles away): Nov 27 – Dec 27.
Many do. Three of the six here ask you to book ahead or warn that seats sell out. Each card says what the operator posts about tickets.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Providence that weekend, holiday trains included.
