From heritage railways in the South East, South West and North Yorkshire to landmark city-centre stations in Birmingham and London, each production offers families a local gateway into the much-loved Christmas story. The five experiences share the same combination of cinematic storytelling, live theatrical performance and festive hospitality, while drawing on the character of their individual settings.
PNP Events, together with its partner railways and venues, Rail Events Inc. and Warner Bros., will once again bring the story to life at destinations across England. The 2026 productions continue PNP Events’ collaboration with theatre director Pip Minnithorpe, who has worked as an associate or resident director on productions including Mamma Mia!, Wicked, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Spamalot and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
With five destinations across England, families can choose an experience close to home or make it the focus of a festive weekend away. Whether departing from Kent, Devon, North Yorkshire, the West Midlands or London, every guest can enjoy the same signature journey inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s book and the 2004 film.
From pyjamas on the platform to the first chime of a silver sleigh bell, the approximately one-hour theatrical journey transforms a train ride into a family Christmas adventure. Many guests embrace the occasion in matching festive sleepwear, adding to the atmosphere before the train has even departed.
On board, performers bring the story’s characters to life as the conductor punches golden tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie, and passengers read along with the original tale on their journey towards the North Pole.
Guests can watch out for their favourite characters from the film before Santa and his elf assistant make their way through the carriages to present every passenger with a silver sleigh bell - the cherished first gift of Christmas. Each guest also receives a souvenir golden ticket to take home.
2026 Dates and Locations
• South East - Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells, Kent: departures from 7 November to 30 December 2026. www.spavalleythepolarexpressride.com
• South West - South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, Devon: departures from 27 November to 23 December 2026. www.southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com
• North - Wensleydale Railway, North Yorkshire: departures from 13 November to 23 December 2026. www.yorkshiredalesthepolarexpressride.com
• West Midlands - Birmingham Moor Street Station: 2026 departures from 22 November to 23 December 2026. www.birminghamthepolarexpressride.com
• London - London Euston: departures from 5 December to 23 December 2026. www.londonthepolarexpressride.com
Popular departures sold quickly last year, so families are encouraged to book early through the website for their chosen location. Ticket prices vary by destination, date and departure time.
Across all its events, PNP Events will again support the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, with 5p from each biodegradable carrier bag sold at on-site shops helping to maintain Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer in the Cairngorm mountains.
Media Contacts:
Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR: 01892 616647 or 07775 943305, caroline@penningtonpr.com
Mark Haynes | Emily Woodcock | PNP Events LTD: 01952 946 053 | marketing@pnpevents.co.uk
Notes to Editors
About THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train RideOfficial 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 2024, 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: marketing@pnpevents.co.uk
Photographs available
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Caroline Edmunds
Pennington PR
caroline@penningtonpr.com
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