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Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains are back again this Christmas

September basically starts the countdown to Christmas... right?

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th September 2025

Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.

Sure, it’s literally only the second week of September, and we’ve technically still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of Halloween and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.

The heritage railway has announced that its popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam train rides are back once again from late November.

The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.

You can already grab tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides this Christmas / Credit: ELR

And in recent years, the much-loved event has been even bigger and better than ever before.

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ELR’s ‘Santa Specials‘ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.

The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station.

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You’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears. 

The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves, with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.

And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.

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The famous East Lancashire Railway ‘Santa Special’ steam train / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)

After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipple, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.

East Lancashire Railway’s famous Santa Specials are running on weekends and selected weekdays from Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December.

Tickets now on sale starting from £22.50 for kids and £23 for adults.

Read more:

You can book your seats here before it’s too late.

Featured Image – ELR

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Northern Rail have announced their latest flash sale with train tickets available from just £2

Danny Jones Danny Jones Northern Rail train tickets flash sale

Finally, we’ve got some good news on the train lines once again, as Northern Rail has just announced the return of their fantastic flash sale, which sees literally millions of discounted tickets made available to the general public.

With the last promotion from Northern having delighted Brits up and down the country, the train company are once again offering affordable tickets, with prices starting from just £2.

The only catch is that you’ve got just a few days to make the most of the savings.

Confirming the flash sale across the Northern Assist social media accounts, the rail operator has now detailed both start and end dates, as well as the valid travel dates.

Sharing more details in a full press release, Northern has revealed that a whopping three MILLION £2 tickets are now up for grabs.

The 2025 Northern flash sale began at 8am this Tuesday, 30 September, with thousands of train journeys having already been booked.

A full list of all the routes with cut-price tickets on until Thursday, 2 October can be found HERE.

According to Northern, the top destinations with the most tickets available in Northern’s Flash Sale are as follows:

  • Manchester and Manchester Airport
  • Leeds
  • Bolton
  • Preston
  • Manchester Airport
  • Blackpool North
  • Shipley
  • Rochdale
  • Stockport
  • Bradford
  • Sheffield
  • Wigan Wallgate
  • Hebden Bridge
  • Blackburn
  • Meadowhall
  • Liverpool Lime Street
  • Skipton
  • Wilmslow
  • Doncaster
  • Ilkley
  • Hull
  • Wakefield Westgate

Although it remains an ever-essential network and the UK’s second-largest national rail service, the PR around Northern isn’t always positive when it comes to efficiency, quality and reliability.

Their estimated 2,650 daily lines across more than 500 stations often come under fire, especially in comparison to public transport down towards the capital.

Andy Burnham calls for ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport as he slams Northern rail services

With all that being said, the arrival of the latest Northern flash sale is a much-needed plus for the firm.

Commenting on this week’s flash sale, Northern’s commercial and customer director, Alex Hornby, said: “With three million tickets up for grabs, there’s something for everyone in Northern’s Flash Sale.

For our existing customers, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit somewhere new, and hopefully, we can encourage those who don’t currently use the train to give it a try.

We believe the Flash Sale will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to the countryside and stunning coastlines. Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment – once they’re gone, they’re gone!” You can grab your tickets online NOW.

Once again, the Northern Rail flash sale runs for just three days and closes this Thursday, 2 October, with tickets valid for travel strictly between Monday, 6 October and Friday, 24 October 2025. 

Tickets can be bought on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices and on ticket machines in stations managed by Northern – please make sure to check terms and conditions.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity picture/El Pollock (via Geograph)

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Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Ready to have the time of your life? Dirty Dancing is returning to Manchester next year.

Based off the iconic 1987 film of the same name, audiences are being told to expect this new production of Dirty Dancing to explode onto the stage with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, and of course, sensationally sexy dancing when it heads out on a grand tour of the UK and Ireland in 2026.

The popular stage production will, once again, come to life before your very eyes with what is already being described as a ‘fantastic, emotional and triumphant’ live show.

If you’ve never seen the film, or you haven’t been lucky enough to watch Dirty Dancing on stage before, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny.

Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Mark Senior

Already seen by millions across the globe, you’ll get to watch these two ‘fiercely-independent’ young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

The musical features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’, and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.

The iconic show will first be returning to the stage with a preview at Milton Keynes Theatre on 27 August 2026 before it heads out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and arrives at Manchester’s legendary Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026.

Tickets officially go on sale this week / Credit: Dirty Dancing (via X)

Once again, the show will be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks, with the producer being Karl Sydow.

“We can’t wait to bring this amazing show back to audiences across the UK and Ireland,” Karl Sydow said. “Now more than ever, theatre needs the excitement and joy that Dirty Dancing brings – you’ll have the time of your life.”

Tickets to Dirty Dancing at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026 officially go on sale this morning at 10am.

Read more:

You can get your hands on tickets here.

Featured Image – Mark Senior (Supplied)

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