Ticket to Christmas

Ticket to Christmas

16th to 23rd December 2026

Discover the magic of the festive season with Ticket to Christmas at the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

Step aboard our ‘Santa Special’ one of our beautifully restored historic steam trains and begin your festive adventure through the heart of the Welsh countryside. Breathe in the nostalgic scent of coal and steam as your journey unfolds, with friendly Christmas elves interacting with passengers along the way, filling the carriage with festive fun, laughter and surprises.

Your 50-minute return steam train journey takes you to Capel Bangor and back before arriving at the Engine Shed Museum, where an enchanting one-hour immersive Christmas experience awaits.

Set amongst the impressive collection of historic steam locomotives, families will explore a series of magical interactive zones, each bringing the spirit of Christmas to life:

The Conductor’s Lobby – collect your Elf Passport and begin your festive mission.
The Toymakers Workshop – help Santa’s hardworking elves with hands-on Christmas activities.
Mrs Claus’ Living Room – enjoy a cosy festive setting filled with Christmas cheer and seasonal storytelling.
Santa’s Grotto – the magical final stop on your festive adventure.

As children complete activities throughout each zone, they’ll collect stamps in their Elf Passport, creating a keepsake of their festive adventure. Elf Passports and activity sheets are available in both Welsh and English, making the experience accessible for all young visitors.

There are plenty of magical moments along the way, including the chance for children to write their Christmas wish list and post it directly to Santa, ensuring their festive hopes are safely delivered to the North Pole.

The grand finale of your experience is a magical meeting with Santa Claus himself in his beautifully decorated grotto. Every child will receive a special Christmas gift from Santa, creating a treasured festive memory to take home. And because Christmas is for everyone, there’s even a little festive surprise for the grown-ups too!

With interactive characters, engaging activities, a nostalgic steam railway journey and unforgettable festive moments, Ticket to Christmas is a heartwarming Christmas experience designed to delight the whole family.

Approximate event duration *2 hours