Magical 'real-life Polar Express' coming to UK this Christmas - how to get tickets

Magical 'real-life Polar Express' coming to UK this Christmas - how to get tickets Fans of the classic Christmas movie can board the Polar Express for themselves, enjoying an immersive onboard experience that includes musical performances, dancing chefs and the chance to meet Santa The UK may be heading into another heatwave, but Christmas fanatics are already planning their festive adventure. One often sold-out attraction will soon have tickets on sale for 2026. After all, what better way is there to cool off than to imagine yourself enjoying the frozen weather again, bundling up in a Christmas jumper, and queuing up to see Father Christmas? The Polar Express Train Ride will return to London Euston Station on selected dates between December 5 and December 23, and tickets are on sale this week. Those who sign up for the mailing list enjoy early access and can book tickets from July 2, while general sales open on July 3 at 10am. Popular dates such as weekends and school holidays tend to sell out very quickly. The experience has run at London Euston Station for the past two years and is now "set to return with all the magic audiences have come to expect." Based on the 2004 Christmas film The Polar Express, which featured voice artists such as Tom Hanks, the ride takes place on a beautiful steam train. Guests are encouraged to wear pyjamas in a nod to the movie. Many families choose to wear Christmas bedclothes or even matching sets on board, to add to the fun atmosphere. The excitement begins before guests even get on the train, with Christmas carols playing and a festive-themed gift shop to browse while they wait. As they step onboard the decorated trains, they'll be seated at a lantern-lit table for their one-hour-long immersive journey. Performers bring the story to life, as the conductor comes round to punch your golden ticket, and dancing chefs head down the aisle with hot chocolate and a delicious cookie for each guest, before there's a read-along of the 1985 book. Characters such as Hobo appear during the journey, and guests are encouraged to keep an eye out for him throughout their train ride. And to top it off, Santa takes a walk through the carriages, along with his elf assistant, handing a silver sleigh bell to each passenger as a memento of the journey. In the book and movie, only those who believe in Santa can hear its ring, so it's a fun experience for older kids who might be growing out of their Santa years. Prices start at £69 per ticket for adults and children alike and include a souvenir golden ticket and a sleigh bell to take home as a memento of the journey. Under-2s sitting on an adult's lap can enjoy the experience for £5 and be booked online as an extra. If you can't make it to London, a similar experience is also running at a variety of other locations. There's the Polar Ex[ress Train Ride at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, running from November 7 to December 30, which has tickets on sale now. In the South West, the Polar Express Train Ride at South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh, Devon will run from November 27 to December 23, and can be booked online now from £35.95. And in the North of England, a festive service runs at Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire, from November 13 to December 23. It can be booked online now, with some dates already close to selling out. Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected]