Polar Express rolling at Blackberry Farm

The Polar Express train is welcoming all aboard during the first three weekends in December at Blackberry Farm in Aurora for its annual Yuletide celebration amid thousands of glittering lights and festive activities.

The holiday spirit comes to life from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 when the decorated train will run continuously around Lake Gregory.

“Thousands and thousands of twinkling lights, from the ticket window to the train depot and all along the walkways, turn Blackberry Farm into a winter wonderland,” facility supervisor Sandie Gilmer said. “It’s a holiday spectacle to be experienced; truly memorable.”

Classic holiday music favorites play in the background throughout the event. The book “The Polar Express” will be read by storytellers at the historic one-room school house, and Santa Claus will delight young visitors at the Early Streets Museum.

New activities to enhance the experience this year include hayrides with carolers and storytellers; a bird feeder construction station and other craft stations for ornament making; a hot chocolate bar; a reindeer food bar; and face painting/tattoo stations.

Additionally, the Polar Express will feature scheduled ticketing for faster boarding to reduce lines and waiting times, allowing visitors to enjoy other attractions until their “ticket to the North Pole” is punched.

Admission to Polar Express is $5.

Blackberry Farm is at 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora, just south of Galena Boulevard about one-half mile west of Orchard Road.

For details, call (630) 892-1550.