Kannapolis Village Christmas Festival in NC – Train Ride, Lights, and More!

Welcome Aboard the Christmas Train in Kannapolis NC © Katrena

Kannapolis, a town located in Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina, provides a wonderful array of Christmas activities for little or no cost at Village Park. Train lovers will be particularly drawn to this great Christmas spot in the Piedmont, and families may discover that this is a destination to which the kids wish to return each year.

Kannapolis Christmas Offers Santa, Christmas Lights and More © Katrena

My family first discovered Village Park in Kannapolis at Christmastime in 2010. The kids are still talking about it a year later and this was one of the top destinations on their list for fun things to do this year for Christmas. I was particularly impressed with the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, and I was delighted to find the same friendly family atmosphere when we visited the Kannapolis Christmas this year. With so many budget cuts many towns have faced this year, I was not sure that Kannapolis would be able to provide this nice family Christmas festival, and I was delighted to see that they are still offering this great activity in 2011. Kudos to Kannapolis!

Christmas Family Fun in Rowan County © Katrena

Kannapolis Christmas Train and Light Show © Katrena

Fun Family Christmas Train Activities at Kannapolis Village

At the heart of the Kannapolis Village Park is the train ride called the Winterland Express. Tickets are available at the front building, and the price is very reasonable at $2/person. You might be able to find a coupon up there for buy one, get one free. The train will take adults and kids around the park, which has a huge playground, lots of covered picnic areas, and a splash pad.

Christmas Light Show and Train Ride in Kannapolis © Katrena

During summer months the train ride is only $1, but the Christmas train includes a trip through a beautiful nighttime light show similar to Tanglewood but on a smaller scale. The lines and cost are on a much smaller scale as well. The Christmas decor is still impressive with about 150,000 lights. The brightly colored scenes and decorations seem to envelope the park in the Christmas spirit. The train is wheelchair accessible.

Christmas Light Show in Kannapolis NC © Katrena

Christmas Art at Kannapolis Village Park Train Station © Katrena

The train engineer can get the crowd excited about the ride with some fun interaction before leaving the station. I'm impressed that these volunteers donate their time to drive through some pretty cold nights...and always with a smile! The original artwork displayed in the train station is very nice, so make sure to take a look at the various ones on display. Guests who are enjoying other parts of the park often stop to wave as the train passes by. I was surprised to see that the train engineer actually stopped the train for me to take a picture as it meandered around the playground as my kids played.

Model Train Show at Kannapolis Park © Katrena

Christmas Family Activities in Cabarrus County NC © Katrena

Miniature Trains and Interactive Scenes in Rowan County © Katrena

Model Train Show at Kannapolis Village Park Christmas Festival © Katrena

Those who enjoy model trains will be delighted with the large display at Kannapolis Village. Venture inside the Community Room, and you'll immediately hear the sound of miniature trains running the rails. It can bring back great memories of toy trains around the Christmas tree! You might even catch a glimpse of Santa waving from a caboose of one of the model trains. The Carolina's Division of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers offers a wonderful array of trains, from 1950's to modern day, and many of the members of the group are available for trouble-shooting and questions.

Interactive Scenes for Christmas in Kannapolis © Katrena

Great Model Train and Interactive Scene Display in Kannapolis © Katrena

Push Buttons to Make Scenes Come to Life © Katrena

People who love to tinker will find about 50 scenes along the model train route that takes up nearly the whole room. These scenes are interactive – push the button and the scene will come alive. These scenes can be quite elaborate as visitors can try their hand at loading logs, turning on lights or sending people down a ski slope, just to mention a few. This is truly a gift from Kannapolis as the model train in interactive scene display is completely free for people to enjoy. The display is only available for a limited time during the holiday season.

Christmas Singing Bears at Kannapolis © Katrena

Kannapolis Christmas Festival – Fun for the Family

Near the train station are two small buildings. One houses Santa Claus, always a popular destination for many of the youngsters, but even if you have kids who are a bit frightened of the guy in red, they may particularly enjoy the singing bears in the other building. My 4-year-old absolutely loved the singing bears, a group of automated animals that talk and sing about Christmas. The bears even had a few adults in the crowd chuckling. Those who are standing in the area might even be in for a winter surprise. I won't spill the beans...just walk down there and stand for a while.

Full Moon Adds to Christmas Light Show at Kannapolis NC © Katrena

A large stage lies farther back, and music and lights make the area festive when the singing bears are resting. Kannapolis has several special Christmas activities planned through the season. For example, on December 17, 2011, they plan to have a live nativity scene, pony rides, a petting zoo, vendors, and more starting at 4:00 p.m.

Christmas Train Ride and Light Show © Katrena

Kannapolis Playground in Village Park © Katrena

A fire is also near the Community Building for those who wish to try their hand at making smores, another great memory maker for a family. Refreshments are also available for purchase. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more, but you'll need to call ahead at 704-920-4343. Kannapolis Village Park is located at the corner of West C Street and Dale Earnhardt Blvd. Get more details and enjoy more pictures from the Kannapolis Christmas web site. The activities in Kannapolis are dependent on weather conditions.

Free Christmas Activities for the Family © Katrena

Kannapolis Christmas Festival – a Favorite Christmas Tradition

I have been quite impressed with the Kannapolis Christmas Festival. Village Park is clean, has a friendly atmosphere, and does not have huge lines. People are welcome to enjoy the festival and walk through the paved pathways to enjoy the Celebration of Lights for free, but the train ride was certainly worth the price for my family. Those traveling from I-85 may find road barriers just as you are able to see the park to the right. Simply turn to the right and keep turning toward the light shows – you will end up in the YMCA parking lot and can enjoy walking through the park first. I have a feeling this is going to become an annual tradition with my family...I hope to see you there!

Looking for more Christmas activities and pictures in the Piedmont? I've collected several ideas in my Events section.