For the first time tickets have been launched for families to experience THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride on 28, 29 and 30 December 2025 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Book your tickets here!
Many families have already secured their golden tickets to experience THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in the lead up to Christmas, but to meet demand event organisers have released additional tickets for families to enjoy the experience between Christmas and New Year.
Now in its 5th year at the Spa Valley Railway, this magical experience brings the classic story to life with dancing chefs, steaming hot chocolate, cookies, and festive fun for all ages. For many families, it’s the Christmas tradition they look forward to all year long.
Your adventure starts exactly like the film, with THE POLAR EXPRESS™ collecting your whole family from Spa Valley Railway to start your magical journey. You’ll meet your favourite icons from the beloved movie, including the Conductor, dancing chefs, a mysterious ghost, and of course the magical Santa Claus himself. All of you (complete with your pyjamas for the authentic experience!) will experience gloriously immersive theatre on a train as you make your way slowly North. As you venture forwards on your journey, you may experience unexpected Caribou related delays and other fantastical happenings, as well as having the beautiful original THE POLAR EXPRESS™ story shared with you by the talented chefs. Remember to savour your delicious, tasty treat and warming hot chocolate! Mr C will board the train and, if you’ve been good this year, you’ll receive the first gift of Christmas – a shiny sleigh bell from Santa’s sleigh, just like in the film and story.
The whole family will get to speak with Santa as he hands you your first gift of Christmas and if you’ve got your THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book (available to purchase with your Polar Express Tickets) he can sign it for you.
When you arrive back at Tunbridge Wells, there are yet more marvels. You can write a letter to Santa, see who in your family has been naughty or nice this year and check out the gift shop for souvenirs of your trip. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Spa Valley Railway will be a truly wondrous Christmas adventure. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
PNP Events and Warner Bros. have made their popular authentic family Christmas Experience ‘THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride’ more immersive than ever this year thanks to some additional West End magic from Pip Minnithorpe who has worked as an Associate or Resident Director on many well-known musicals and West End shows including Mamma Mia!, Wicked, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Spamalot, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. New lighting and enhanced music will also add to the uniqueness of the experience which stays true to the magical story of Warner Bros. Polar Express.
Pip Minnithorpe said: “Inspired by the characters and events of the original book and movie, we tell the story using the exciting opportunities of live theatre – song, dance, music, drama, comedy, illusion, lighting, special effects – and piping hot chocolate of course! The audience are immersed into the experience just like the children in the film – taken on a physical journey in search of Santa, but also an emotional journey: to rediscover the spirit of Christmas. Just don’t forget your golden ticket!”
A cast of talented performers brings the characters to life on board a train, transporting passengers into the world of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a one-hour immersive experience based on the hit film. See all your favourite elements from the film including Chef dancing in the aisles, hot chocolate and cookies served at your seat with a visit from Santa himself with sleigh bells and festival cheer. The magic takes place from early November to 23 December 2025 at the following locations:
• London Euston Station, Elversholt St, London, NW1 2DU https://londonthepolarexpressride.com/
• Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar, Northallerton DL7 9AR https://yorkshiredalesthepolarexpressride.com/
• Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QY https://spavalleythepolarexpressride.com/
• South Devon Railway, The Railway Station, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DZ www.southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com
This amazing family experience welcomed over 1.5 million passengers across 54 locations in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia in 2024, and it’s back to spread festive cheer across the UK once again.
What to expect on your family visit:
The unforgettable experience begins when you arrive at your chosen railway as the classic story unfolds as everyone takes a magical round-trip journey towards the North Pole.
Once aboard, the conductor makes his way through the carriages to punch golden tickets while dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a tasty cookies. Guests are invited to read along with the original children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa himself climbs aboard during the journey to greet children and adults alike, gifting each guest the first gift of Christmas — a silver sleigh bell. Just like in the story, a lively cast of characters delivers interactive fun throughout the journey.
All passengers will receive a souvenir golden ticket and sleigh bell to remember this enchanting experience. Families are encouraged to wear pyjamas just like the children in the film. For exact dates, departure times, and ticket prices, visit the website for your chosen location.
About THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides are licensed by Rail Events Inc. on behalf of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Inc. Since 2007, Rail Events Inc. has held the exclusive licence to operate THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
About THE POLAR EXPRESS Book
THE POLAR EXPRESS film is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s award-winning Christmas picture book, telling the tale of a young boy’s extraordinary journey to the North Pole aboard a magical train. First published in 1985 by the Houghton Mifflin Company, the book has become a holiday staple and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. It won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration in 1986.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), part of Warner Bros. Entertainment, brings the Studio’s iconic brands to life through licensing and merchandising. Working with top-tier licensees globally, WBCP offers a wide range of toys, apparel, home décor, and publishing inspired by properties such as DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, and Hanna-Barbera.
The division also oversees immersive themed experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. WBCP continues to lead in global licensing and entertainment experiences for fans worldwide.
About Rail Events Inc.
Rail Events Inc. is the industry leader in rail-based themed events. In 2023, its licensed experiences drew over 1.5 million guests at 54 partner railways in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Rail Events Inc. and its production arm, Rail Events Productions, are wholly owned by American Heritage Railways – the premier heritage rail operator in the United States.
About PNP Events Ltd
Headquartered in Telford, Shropshire, PNP Events Ltd specialises in immersive, licensed events. Since 2019, the company has staged official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride experiences across the UK. PNP Events also produces Indie Explosion, Hail, Hail, Rock & Roll Show, and Wonderglow – Light Experience, based on the classic Alice in Wonderland tale.
Credentialed press and influencers are invited to apply for preview tickets by emailing: [email protected]
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s25)
Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
