The Holiday Express train at Blackberry Farm is welcoming all aboard throughout the month of December at Blackberry Farm, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive holiday decorations and happy holiday music.

New this year is the expanded schedule, which now includes Thursdays, beginning Dec. 5.

“Holiday Express has sold out the last two years and we want to provide more families an opportunity to experience all the magic that this popular event has to offer,” said Holly Wiggins, facility manager at Blackberry Farm.

Tickets — $7 for ages 2 and up — can be purchased beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. All ticket sales are final.

Here is the complete lineup of dates:

• Thursdays — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19
• Friday, Dec. 6 (Special Needs Night) — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Enjoy all the fun of Holiday Express in a low-sensory environment. Pre-registration is required.)
• Fridays — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 20
• Saturdays And Sundays — 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22.

More Holiday Fun

Santa and his elves will be at Blackberry Farm each weekend, collecting children’s wish lists at the Early Streets Museum. There’s a sleigh full of other activities, including:

• Gift Shop: Find antique vintage toys and stocking stuffers.
• A Huntoon Christmas: Visit holiday displays and get a holiday themed tattoo!
• North Pole Oasis (Carriage Museum): Warm up with indoor crafts and great Christmas music. Concessions are available for purchase. Stop by the Reindeer Food Bar and create a feed bag to put out on Christmas Eve.
• Candy Cane Village (Adventure Playground): Enjoy Blackberry’s beautifully lit playground (weather permitting).
• North Pole Depot: All Aboard the Polar Express Train!
• Winter Sleigh Ride: Dash through the snow on a cozy hayride.
• Reindeer Training Facility (Pony Ring): Santa’s reindeer are training for the big day – come see ponies trying to join his team!
• Little Elf Hobby Shoppe (Weaver’s Cabin): Create a bird feeder to keep birds fed throughout the winter.
• Sugar Plum Playland: Explore the winter-themed sensory table. This attraction closes at dusk.
• Gingerbread School House: Listen to classic holiday stories while keeping warm by our real wood burning stove.
• Kringle’s Café: Stop by Santa’s favorite café for some delicious hot cocoa and treats.

“Each family probably has a special spot within Holiday Express that makes it magical for them,” Wiggins said. “For many, it’s the train ride around Lake Gregory; for others it’s listening to holiday music as they admire the thousands of twinkling lights throughout the park; and for some, it’s the special stop to visit with Santa and find out if you’ve made the naughty or nice list this year.”

Also featured is a lineup of special guests, including:

• Dec. 8 – Mrs. Claus Story Time, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 15 – World’s Tallest Toy Soldier, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 21 – Ice Carving Demonstration, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 22 – a Mrs. Claus Story Time, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org, and stay up to date on Blackberry Farm’s Facebook page.

FEATURE PHOTO CAPTION INFO: Holiday Express returns to Blackberry Farm in Aurora throughout December, beginning Thursday, Dec. 5. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. 

About The Fox Valley Park District

The Fox Valley Park District is a dynamic and growing park district that serves a diverse population of more than 236,000 people. Recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Agency, Fox Valley holds the nation’s highest honor as a National Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in park and recreation management. Serving the communities of Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora, the District maintains 168 parks and 48 miles of interconnected regional trails amid 2,400 acres of parkland. Connected by the Fox River, our communities are tied together by the District’s commitment to promote vibrant, healthy lifestyles through fun and safe recreation opportunities that are environmentally and fiscally responsible. The Fox Valley Park District… Where Fun Begins!