Head over the bridge for some festive fun

Do your peeps love “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg? Be part of the story on a 90-minute ride from the Buzzards Bay Train Depot to ‘the North Pole’ aboard Cape Cod Central Railway’s own officially licensed ‘THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride’. Relive the magic of the classic story with costumed performers, Santa and the elves, cocoa and cookies, plus a souvenir golden ticket and sleigh bell. This event runs from November 22 to December 23; check their website for itineraries. They offer both matinee and nighttime rides (it’s more sparkling after dark.) Wear your pajamas. From $64 adults; $54 for children ages 3 to 12; www.capetrain.com.

Book it now — Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens (https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/gardens-aglow/) is always sold out. Wander through the gardens’ dazzling light display, roast marshmallows, go on a reindeer scavenger hunt, enjoy seasonal treats from Lilly’s Café and the Cape Cod Donuts truck, play with giant building blocks, stroll through lighted tunnels and more. Visit Santa indoors in a 1913 Ford Model T amid the Heritage Museum’s antique car exhibit. For sheer cuteness, you can’t beat a ride on the 1908 Looff Carousel, then take some time to admire winter-themed works in the museum’s Currier & Ives Collection. Gardens Aglow is currently scheduled for November 29 through December. December 1st, December 4-8, December 10-15 and December 17-23. Adults (non-members), $25; ages 3-17, $15. Visit their Facebook and Instagram feeds for updates.

The venerable Chatham Bars Inn (from $306-$378 per night; www.chathambarsinn.com) in Chatham is bringing Holiday Vibe with a capital V this season, with 45,000 Christmas lights, 65 wreaths, ten indoor Christmas trees, four giant nutcrackers and a partridge in a pear tree (well, maybe not a partridge, but they do have pear trees!)

Seasonal events, open to guests and visitors alike, include a series of wreath-decorating workshops led by the inn’s gardener; Teddy bear tea parties for the little ones (3-8 years); and making gingerbread houses (their pastry team bakes and assembles the houses, and you and your team do the fun part: decorating. Bring on the spiced gum!) On December 28, you can participate in their Hanukkah Party & Lighting of the Menorah , a family festival with games, songs and homemade potato latkes. If you’re eager to learn how to make your own ultimate eggnog or party-worthy hot chocolate, book a holiday mixology class. There are additional costs associated with these events, but there is one that does not apply: Cocoa & Carolers at Bayview Terrace on December 6. Gather under the twinkling lights for a bonfire, cocoa and live music. Of course, they also offer special holiday menus.

We saw Tony Danza at Wequassett Resort & Golf Club (from $327 per night; https://wequassett.com) in Harwich, but even his star power is no match for (drumroll please) Madame Claus! She pours champagne all season long and serves fresh cruffins in Mrs. Claus’ Cottage. She will also be hosting a series of gingerbread house decorating parties and three very cheerful pajama brunches. The Mrs. Claus Touch Night Package (from $495) includes a lit Christmas tree in your room, a Wequassett stocking filled with a sweet treat, complimentary coffee and pastries from The Sill (the property’s grab-and-go bakery), and a complimentary late check-out.

Kicking off the season: the resort’s grand tree lighting with a very special guest (whose name rhymes with Manta Paws) on December 7, and ending with fireworks over Harwich. A good reason to stay overnight: watch (or participate in) the Cape Cod Holiday Baking Classic on December 8. Let’s see if all those episodes of The Great British Baking Show taught you anything! It is free to participate in the competition; for those who just want to watch and eat, it costs $20 for ages 12 and under, and starts at $30 for adults. MasterChef finalist Anna Rossi will be one of the judges; the event supports The Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

A Christmas walk around the Cape is definitely for you, and it’s a charming way to get into the spirit of the season. The Cape’s oldest town, Sandwich, is quaint as can be, especially during the Sandwich Village Stroll (www.sandwichchamber.com) on Saturday, December 8. Local businesses are decked out in holiday costumes, providing a festive backdrop for strolling carolers, family activities and seasonal treats. Make a weekend of it and add your voice to the Community Carol Sing, held on the steps of First Church Sandwich on Friday, December 6. “This event brings together people from all over New England. It’s like stepping back in time!” says Christine Ross, executive director of the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce.

While you’re in town, visit the Sandwich Glass Museum (adults, $14; www.sandwichglassmuseum.org) for a peek into their enchanting orchard decorated with beautiful glass ornaments (November 15 – December 30). Ornaments are made by local and regional artists; there is also a souvenir version “2024″ available for purchase. After dark, try to spot all the Giants along Route 6A, two dozen illuminated roadside sculptures created by Michael Magyar.

All of Falmouth heads out for the Falmouth Holiday Stroll (www.falmouthvillageassociation.com) on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic for the Dec. 7 event. The Village Green turns into a Cape version of Whoville as people turn out for a community song, shops stay open late (supplying shoppers with goodies) and – you knew this was coming – the Jolly Old Elf himself performs a makes a guest appearance.

From December 6 to 8, Provincetown will be even more colorful and fantastic than usual, thanks to Holly Folly, the country’s largest and oldest (since 1997) LGBTQ+ celebration. Performance art, special shows, exquisite dining: it’s all here, and you can tick off your holiday gift list in no time at local boutiques and galleries. (We’ll take that cute red jacket from Cock N Bull Leather, Santa Baby!) Hot-ticket seasonal events include the Holly Folly Follies, a holiday version of the Provincetown Follies; a performance by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus; and the annual Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Run & Brunch. www.ptown.org.

The Chatham Christmas Walk (www.chathamrotary.org) on December 13 and 15 would melt the Grinchiest Grinch’s heart. Witness the lighting of an 8-foot-tall blue spruce in Sears Park, followed by Christmas carols sung by the Monomoy Regional Middle School Chorus, and the reading of a classic holiday story. Santa Claus rides in on a fire truck and leads the Parade of Lights. (Old Saint Nick will be in his workshop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to greet the little ones.) Add in a marching band, a commemorative mug and horse-and-carriage rides and you have a nice throwback holiday weekend.

For more ideas, visit www.capecodchamber.org.

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Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at [email protected]