All aboard: The Polar Express will visit Galveston Island for the first time this holiday season

Children and families are invited to don their favorite pajamas and catch a ride onboard The Polar Express train when it makes its way to the Galveston Railroad Museum in mid-November. Children and families are invited to don their favorite pajamas and catch a ride onboard The Polar Express train when it makes its way to the Galveston Railroad Museum in mid-November. Photo: Contributed Photo, Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo, Contributed Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close All aboard: The Polar Express will visit Galveston Island for the first time this holiday season 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

There is always plenty of holiday-themed fun for families to explore in Galveston, but this season a brand new attraction will make its way onto the Island for the first time.

Children and families are invited to don their favorite pajamas and catch a ride on board The Polar Express train when it makes its way to the Galveston Railroad Museum in mid-November, according to a release from the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. Attendees will be transported into a winter wonderland as actors recreate iconic scenes from the children's book and film, and invite guests to sing and read along to the story.

Hot cocoa and cookies will be served on the hour-long ride, which also features a special gift from Santa. The rides will be offered at the museum Nov. 15 through Dec. 29, according to the release.

FREE FAMILY FUN: Popular Galveston Island sandcastle competition slated for Aug. 24

The train's debut onto the island marks the start of a jam-packed season of winter fun. Downtown Galveston will be transformed into a winter escape with extensive lighting and holiday decorations come November. Events such as Moody Gardens' Festival of Lights runs Nov. 16 - Jan. 12, while the Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at Hotel Galvez is slated for Nov. 29. The annual Dickens on the Strand festival kicks off the first weekend of December.

The Island will host more than 1,000 holiday events during the winter season, according the release. Find more on all of the holiday fun planned for Galveston this season on the city's tourism website.

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message

