Christmas Train Rides in Rhode Island (2026)
Rhode Island’s holiday train is the Blackstone Valley Polar Express, which boards at the historic train station in Woonsocket and bills itself as the longest-running Polar Express train ride in the world. It runs Fridays to Sundays from November 6 to December 20, in small cars of 32 to 88 seats, and it sells fast. A nonprofit runs it, and the money goes to environmental education for local kids. For the rest of New England, see our Polar Express and Christmas train guide.
The short version
- THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Woonsocket: Nov 6 to Dec 20, from $75
Rhode Island holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 1 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- Woonsocket
- Season
- November 6 to December 20, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $75 (Blackstone Valley Tourism Council)
- After Christmas
- No rides found
- Last checked
Look inside the book
Riding a Rhode Island Christmas train? Read Rally first.
Rally Takes the Train is a corgi’s first train ride, from the early wake-up to the dark tunnel to the sunshine on the other side. It takes about five minutes to read, so it fits in the car on the way to the station. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Rhode Island's Polar Express for 2026
On the map
Where Rhode Island’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Woonsocket: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are Rhode Island towns, for shape.
The state's licensed ride, in the Blackstone Valley north of Providence.
Woonsocket: the Blackstone Valley Polar Express
Licensed Polar ExpressBlackstone Valley Tourism Council · Woonsocket
- Operator
- Blackstone Valley Tourism Council(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Historic Blackstone Valley Train Station, Woonsocket
- Season
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 6 to December 20, 2026
- Ride length
- About 90 minutes
- What's included
- The story read aloud, singing and games, hot chocolate and a cookie, a golden ticket punched by the conductor, and a silver bell for every child
- Price
- First Class $77 to $110 for adults and $75 to $104 for kids 12 and under, depending on the date; Premium and Platinum cost more, up to $143; plus an $8 processing fee
- Tickets
- On sale now; selling fast
- Best ages
- All ages; babies 12 months and under ride on a lap for a $10 upgrade
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council celebrated its 25th Polar Express season last year, and it bills this ride as the longest-running Polar Express train ride in the world. The 90-minute trip has singing, games and a reading of the book, hot chocolate and a cookie, a golden ticket punched by the conductor, and a visit from Santa, who gives every child a silver bell. The cars are small, from 32 to 88 seats, so everyone is close to the action.
Doors open an hour before your ticketed time, and boarding starts about 15 minutes after it, so there is time for photos at the station. Premium seats are in the smaller Dasher and Dancer cars with more legroom. The Platinum Prancer car is sold in tables of four, with souvenir mugs. Babies 12 months and under ride on a lap for a $10 upgrade but do not get cocoa. Tickets are on Etix or by phone at (401) 495-1213.
Check dates and tickets with Blackstone Valley Tourism Council(opens in a new tab)More Holiday Trains for Rhode Island Families
Christmas trains in Newport
Last December, the Old Colony and Newport Railway and the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad ran Sunday Christmas trains from Newport with carols, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa. They had not announced 2026 dates when we checked; watch the Old Colony and Newport Railway’s social pages.
Getting there by Amtrak
The Northeast Regional stops in Westerly, Kingston and Providence, and Woonsocket is about 25 minutes’ drive from Providence station. See our Northeast Regional with kids guide.
How Far Rhode Island Families Drive for a Holiday Train
Typical drive times without holiday traffic.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | Woonsocket | About 25 minutes |
| Newport | Woonsocket | About 1 hour |
| Westerly | Woonsocket | About 1 hour |
| Providence | Edaville, Carver, MA | About 50 minutes |
| Westerly | Essex, CT | About 45 minutes |
If Woonsocket sells out, Edaville and the Cape Cod Central are close on our Massachusetts page, and South County families are near the Essex trains on our Connecticut page.
Free to print
For the hour at the station
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesSmall Cars, Big Moments
Rally walks right down the aisle of his train in our book, and every kid reaches out to pet him. Small train cars are like that: nobody is far from the fun. Blackstone Valley’s little cars should feel the same way when Santa comes through.
My mom gave Rally his first story, and I finished it after she passed; our story page tells the rest. Grab our free Rally coloring pages for the hour at the station.
A train story for Rhode Island kidsRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi on his first train ride, hand-painted in watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon
More for holiday train families
- Find a Christmas train near you: type your town and see every ride in the country sorted by distance
- Christmas train guide by state: licensed rides, costs and booking tips
- Christmas trains in Massachusetts
- Christmas trains in Connecticut
- Every Amtrak route with kids, for a real train trip after the holidays
- Free Rally activity pack and coloring pages to print before the ride
Sources
- Blackstone Valley Tourism Council: The Polar Express(opens in a new tab)
- Etix: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride 2026, Woonsocket(opens in a new tab)
- Macaroni KID Newport: Storytime with Santa, Christmas Trains in Newport(opens in a new tab)
Checked against each railroad’s own pages on . THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Each ride is run by the railroad or museum named above; Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Rail Events or any railroad listed here. Book only through the operator’s own site, and confirm dates and prices there before you go.
Rhode Island Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in Rhode Island?
Yes. The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council runs the licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from the historic train station at One Depot Square in Woonsocket. In 2026 it runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 6 to December 20, and each ride lasts about 90 minutes.
Do any Rhode Island Christmas trains run after Christmas?
No Rhode Island holiday train we could confirm runs after Christmas in 2026. The last one on this page is the Polar Express in Woonsocket, which runs until December 20. For a ride after the 25th, look at the states near Rhode Island in the drive-time table above. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges, so check your date twice before you buy.
What Christmas events are there in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, this year?
For families, Woonsocket has THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (November 6 to December 20, from $75). It includes the story read aloud, singing and games, hot chocolate and a cookie, a golden ticket punched by the conductor, and a silver bell for every child. For other Woonsocket, Rhode Island, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Providence, Rhode Island find a Christmas train ride?
From Providence, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Woonsocket, about 25 minutes; Edaville, Carver, MA, about 50 minutes. Each Rhode Island ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Providence families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Newport, Rhode Island find a Christmas train ride?
From Newport, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Woonsocket, about 1 hour. Each Rhode Island ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Newport families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Westerly, Rhode Island find a Christmas train ride?
From Westerly, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Woonsocket, about 1 hour; Essex, CT, about 45 minutes. Each Rhode Island ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Westerly families can compare before they drive.
How much is the Blackstone Valley Polar Express?
First Class costs $77 to $110 for adults and $75 to $104 for children 12 and under, depending on the date. Premium and Platinum seats cost more, up to $143. Every order has an extra $8 processing fee, and all sales are final with no refunds or exchanges.
Do babies need a ticket for the Polar Express in Woonsocket?
Babies 12 months and under can ride on a parent's lap with a $10 upgrade added to an adult ticket, but they do not get hot chocolate or a cookie. Older children need their own child ticket, which covers ages 12 and under.
When should we arrive for the Blackstone Valley Polar Express?
The station doors open 60 minutes before your ticketed time, and boarding begins about 15 minutes after the ticketed time. Arriving early gives kids time for photos at the historic station before the 90-minute ride. Tickets are sold on Etix and by phone at (401) 495-1213.
Are there Christmas trains in Newport, Rhode Island?
Last December, the Old Colony and Newport Railway and the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad ran Sunday Christmas trains from Newport with carols, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa. They had not announced 2026 dates when we checked; watch the Old Colony and Newport Railway’s social pages.
Can you take Amtrak to a Christmas train in Rhode Island?
The Northeast Regional stops in Westerly, Kingston and Providence, and Woonsocket is about 25 minutes’ drive from Providence station. See our Northeast Regional with kids guide.
How long is the Polar Express in Woonsocket?
For the Woonsocket ride, plan on about 90 minutes. Included with the Polar Express in Woonsocket: the story read aloud, singing and games, hot chocolate and a cookie, a golden ticket punched by the conductor, and a silver bell for every child. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges, so check your date twice before you buy.
Any tips for the Polar Express in Woonsocket with young kids?
Doors open an hour before your ticketed time, and boarding starts about 15 minutes after it, so there is time for photos at the station. Premium seats are in the smaller Dasher and Dancer cars with more legroom. The Platinum Prancer car is sold in tables of four, with souvenir mugs. Babies 12 months and under ride on a lap for a $10 upgrade but do not get cocoa.