Rhode Island’s Largest Christmas Display Starts 25th Colorful Year

This weekend over 30 acres of Christmas decorations will light for the first time of the season as Pawtucket's Winter Wonderland kicks off their 25th year of holiday lights inside the historic Slater Park.

This is officially the largest holiday display in all of Rhode Island and the best part is, walking through the lights is absolutely free.

For the last 25 years, Slater Park has been lit up each December and filled with hundreds of Christmas trees sponsored by local families.

This year the display features 650 trees, over 100 light displays, 20 lighted Victorian houses and plenty more glowing decorations all throughout the park.

So when can you see it?

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Starting this Saturday, Dec. 2, the lights are turned on around 4 p.m. and glow until 9 p.m. for people to either drive through or walk around and see.

It really is a sight to see.

The folks behind this event literally go big or go home. There is an 18-foot-tall talking snowman to chat with the kids along with an 8-foot Wonderland sign that's perfect for holiday photos.

There's also a 'The Night Before Christmas' Lane which brings the classic Christmas tale to life. Visitors walk along a row of houses and peer inside the windows to see different scenes from the story displayed inside. Buttons at each house even read the story as you walk.

All of the festive fun happens every night through New Year's, but the first two weekends of December the event gets even bigger.

On Saturdays, Dec. 2nd and 9th, and Sundays, Dec. 3rd and 10th, Slater Park will be closed to vehicular traffic so families can walk freely among the displays and take in the Wonderland magic.

From 4 to 8 p.m., the lights will be on, the holiday music will play and families will make memories.

Your family can head down to the event for free, but there are additional attractions for this weekend for which you might want some cash.

Santa will visit with kids at the boathouse and photos cost extra. There are also hay rides and train rides through the lights you can pay for. Rides on the historical Looff Carousel cost .50 cents, plus there is a food tent with snacks and cocoa for a cost as well.

Still, 30 acres of lights and 650 shining Christmas trees for free make for a great way to spend a holiday weekend just a short ride from the SouthCoast.