See Rhode Island’s Largest Christmas Display For Free This Weekend

With over 30 acres of Christmas decorations, Pawtucket's Winter Wonderland inside historic Slater Park is the largest holiday display in all of Rhode Island.

Walking through the lights is absolutely free.

For the past two decades, 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, along with 20 lighted Victorian houses and glowing decorations all throughout the park.

Each night of the season, Dec. 4 to Jan. 1, 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 for perfect holiday photos.

Perhaps the best part is 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 read the story as you walk.

All of the festive fun happens every night through New Year's, but this weekend the event gets even bigger.

For Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, 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 are extra. Cocoa and snacks have 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.