The Polar Express train ride returns to five England locations for Christmas 2026

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride is coming back to five destinations across England for the 2026 festive season, with tickets now on sale for dates from 7 November to 30 December. The immersive family experience blends live performance, hot chocolate and a journey to the North Pole, with departures in Kent, Devon, North Yorkshire, Birmingham and London.

Why it matters: - The return of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride gives families in multiple regions a local Christmas outing instead of a single destination event. - The 2026 run spans five locations across England, widening access to one of the UK’s best-known festive rail experiences. - The event also supports the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd through bag sales at on-site shops.

What happened: - Tickets are now on sale for THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride’s 2026 season. - The experience will run from 7 November to 30 December 2026, depending on location. - The five destinations are Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, Kent; South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh, Devon; Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire; Birmingham Moor Street Station; and London Euston. - PNP Events is producing the experiences with partner railways and venues, Rail Events Inc. and Warner Bros. - The 2026 productions continue PNP Events’ collaboration with theatre director Pip Minnithorpe.

The details: - Each production combines cinematic storytelling, live theatrical performance and festive hospitality. - The ride is an approximately one-hour theatrical journey inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s book and the 2004 film. - Guests are encouraged to arrive in pyjamas or matching festive sleepwear. - On board, performers recreate key scenes as the conductor punches golden tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie, and passengers read along with the original story. - Santa and his elf assistant visit each carriage to hand every passenger a silver sleigh bell. - Each guest also receives a souvenir golden ticket. - Dates by location are: Tunbridge Wells, 7 November to 30 December 2026; Buckfastleigh, 27 November to 23 December 2026; North Yorkshire, 13 November to 23 December 2026; Birmingham, 22 November to 23 December 2026; and London, 5 December to 23 December 2026. - Ticket prices vary by destination, date and departure time. - Booking is available through the website for each location, including More information for Tunbridge Wells, More information for Buckfastleigh, More information for North Yorkshire, More information for Birmingham and More information for London.

Between the lines: - The five-site rollout mixes heritage railways with major city stations, giving the same branded experience different local settings. - PNP Events is leaning on a familiar formula: immersive theatre, recognizable film characters and seasonal traditions that are meant to drive repeat family demand. - The early booking push suggests strong demand, after popular departures sold quickly last year. - The reindeer donation adds a small charity element to the commercial event.

What’s next: - Families are being urged to book early for preferred dates and departure times. - Credentialed press and influencers can apply for preview tickets by emailing marketing@pnpevents.co.uk. - The season will unfold across the five venues through late December 2026.

The bottom line: - THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride is expanding its Christmas footprint across England again, with five locations, a roughly one-hour immersive show and a booking window that is already open.