The popular North Pole Express returns to Boothbay Railway Village on Thanksgiving weekend and continues every weekend through Dec. 22. New this year, Santa will have an extra special gift for children who visit the North Pole during Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 30-Dec. 1).

Event dates and times: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Festivities and grounds open from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Train departures run eight times each day: 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1, 1:45, 2:30 and 3:15 p.m.

Start your adventure inside the historic 1912 Freeport Station, writing your letter to Santa near a cozy wood stove.

Train conductors will call “All Aboard” and everyone, young and old, will board the train to the North Pole. Settle into a comfortable seat in the classic passenger car or our “Little Red Caboose” No. 551, built in 1904.

Round the tracks through the winter wonderland of forest and historic village to the “North Pole” where a very special guest in a red suit with a jolly belly will jump aboard to greet you! Every child will receive a special keepsake to help spark the magic leap to the North Pole.

After meeting the “big guy” in person the train will whisk you back to the station where multiple festivities await:

• Visit the Spruce Point Chapel for a storybook reading
• Cozy up at the Bonfire on the Village green
• Experience the vintage holiday display inside the Harrington House Barn decked out 1940s’ style
• Stroll over to the 1847 Boothbay Town Hall for hot chocolate and homemade treats while enjoying the Museums’ own locomotive holiday display under the Village Christmas tree
• Design your own vintage-inspired holiday ornament to take home
• Weather permitting, the exhibits on the Museum’s lower campus will be open for exploring

Ticket information: Standard tickets are $21 for attendees three years and older. Museum members receive a $4 discount per ticket. Children under 3 years of age do not require a ticket; however, they must sit on an adult’s lap. Tickets sell out early and advance purchase is highly recommended. Tickets are available online at www.RailwayVillage.org

Please note: Car seats and strollers are not permitted on trains for safety reasons. Boothbay Railway Village reserves the right to run either steam or diesel at this event.

Attending this event greatly contributes to the Boothbay Railway Village mission: to conserve, display and interpret artifacts, authentic period structures and technologies utilized in Maine during the historical period of the Mid-19th through the Mid-20th centuries. We wish to thank attendees, donors, volunteers and staff for your support and generosity.