Fans of the hit Christmas film The Polar Express will be able to bring the magic to life this year, when a train experience visits the north of England.
For the first time, the enchanting event The Polar Express Train Ride will visit Yorkshire, promising a blend of theatre and all the wonder of the Great British steam engine.
On board, guests – who are actively encourage to arrive in pyjamas and dressing gowns – are treated to hot chocolates and cookies alongside live performances, The Hoot Leeds reports.
Inspired by 2004 hit film The Polar Express starring Tom Hanks, where a boy boards a mysterious train bound for the North Pole (aka the home of Santa Claus) the Yorkshire event hopes to bring the magic of the season to life.
The Polar Express Train Ride is set to depart from Bolton Abbey Station from NoA new David Bowie-inspired gyros kitchen has opened in Manchestervember through to Christmas Eve.
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Guests arrive to the train station – hopefully cosy in their pyjamas – ready to board the magical train, with friendly chefs helping you to find your seats.
Actors on board The Polar Express Train Ride experiencePassengers are welcomed by singing chefsHot chocolates and cookies are servedGuests will get to meet Santa
Then as the train begins its journey, iconic moments from the Christmas classic film will come to life with some of the film’s most beloved characters.
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Santa and his elf might even make a special appearance to deliver the first gift of Christmas…
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway said: “Do you believe? We at Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway certainly do and that is why we are proud to be hosting an exciting magical experience like no other.
“The Polar Express Train Ride is coming to Bolton Abbey in 2023 with the magic of the 2004 motion picture The Polar Express being theatrically re-created so you and your family can be immersed in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children’s tale.
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“Prepare to be surrounded by the magic and wonder of the Christmas season!”
Tickets are on sale now, with classic tickets priced between £33.95 and £44.95 – that includes hot chocolate, a golden ticket, reserved seats in the historic carriages, a freshly baked cookie, and a gift from Santa.
You can also book premium seats for £43.95 to £54.95, which includes all of the above plus a The Polar Express Train Ride souvenir mug, a goodie bag, and seats in Premium Class.
Accessible tickets and SEN experiences are also available.
A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 11 December – York Barbican
Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Massive festive event dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’ is returning to the North West
Daisy Jackson
The North West’s most extravagant festive event, with everything from a frozen skating pond to a snow-covered world filled with elves, will return just outside Greater Manchester this winter.
Dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’, LaplandUK recreates the home of Father Christmas himself right outside Greater Manchester.
The event was so popular last year, organisers are expecting more than one million people will join the queue for tickets when they go live this week – with tickets expected to sell out in hours.
Families who book tickets for LaplandUK – which range in price from £60 to £195 – will be greeted by hundreds of elves and other performers in a snow-covered landscape.
You’ll be able to visit the Lapland Toy Factory to make a toy for Santa’s sleigh; decorate gingerbead with Mother Christmas in the Lapland Bakery, as well as skating on a frozen pond and travelling through the Whispering Woods.
Every child leaves LaplandUK with a gift from Father Christmas.
The immersive experience takes around four and a half hours from start to finish, but the magic begins way before – ticket-holders are sent personalised invitation boxes (which you can pop in the freezer for extra magic for the kids).
LaplandUK has invested an additional £30m into its Cheshire site, which is the second location after a long-standing residency in Ascot.
Keeping this impressive festive event running are more than 2000 members of staff across the two sites.
It’s drawn in some very high-profile guests, too, with previous visitors including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Elton John, and the Beckhams.
The Lapland experience is based on eight best-selling books, written by founders Mike and Alison Battle.
LaplandUK will run from 7 November to 24 December 2026, with tickets ranging from £60 to £195.
Tickets for LaplandUK Manchester go on sale from 10am on Friday 27 March HERE, with the waiting room open from 9am.
Daisy Jackson -
27th July 2023 
