SARATOGA SPRINGS — This holiday season, passengers on the Polar Express will have the opportunity to come in to the Circus Café dressed in their cozy pajamas to receive homemade cotton candy.

Children sip hot chocolate on the Polar Express  (Photo by Erica Miller)

For generations “The Polar Express” has been a beloved book and an iconic Christmas story retold year after year. Now children and families have the chance to board the Polar Express at the Saratoga Springs Train Station to take a trip to the North Pole and back.

After the hour-long journey where kids are encouraged to wear pajamas while they enjoy hot cocoa, Christmas caroling, presents and a visit from Santa, families can stop by the Circus Café for an extra treat.

“The Polar Express train ride that leaves from Saratoga has really taken off,” said Christel MacLean, owner of Circus Café.

During the holiday season the Saratoga & North Creek Railway operates two trips each day on the Polar Express — the first departing at 6 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m.

Since MacLean started seeing so many children clad in pajamas coming to the restaurant either before or after a trip, MacLean says she felt, “we had to join the festivities!”

The free cotton candy offer at Circus Café, located at 392 Broadway, runs now through Wednesday, Dec. 28, which is the last day for the Polar Express.

For more information call 583-1106 or visit www.circuscafe.com. To learn more about the Polar Express visit https.www.sncrr.com.