There are so many great ways to meet Santa this Christmas, from grottos across Wales and even Santa appearing on a speedboat! But surely one of the best ways to meet Father Christmas this year is on a Santa train.
Many tourist railways and train rides across Wales are hosting Santa Specials where you get to meet Santa while on board. Not only do you get to enjoy the amazing views while on the train, but it's made extra magical with Santa's appearances. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
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There are Santa trains you can enjoy in south Wales, mid Wales and north Wales. Here is everything you need to know about the Santa trains in 2022 in Wales.
The Brecon Mountain Railway
This Santa special has been running for 33 years and starts at Pant Station in Merthyr Tydfil where you board a steam train and travel to Santa's grotto in Pontsticill. Here children will receive a present from Santa and adults will be served mulled wine and mince pies - a definite win-win!
The Santa Special train will be running on selected dates from Saturday, November 26, to Thursday, December 15. Tickets are £20.75 per adult, £17.75 per child, and babies under two are free. You can book your tickets to meet Santa here.
The Ffestiniog Railway
There are two ways to meet Santa at Ffestiniog Railway in north Wales, the first is at the Welsh Highland Railway where Santa Specials will be run between Caernarfon Station to Rhyd Ddu. You will board the train at Caernarfon Station, collect your Christmas hamper, and then enjoy the treats on your train journey which will take you through the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
Santa and his elves will be aboard the train saying hello and handing out gifts during the service which runs on selected dates from Sunday, December 4, to Friday, December 23. Tickets start at £23.50 for adults and children and £4.50 for babies and you can book tickets online, here.
The second way to meet Santa is from Porthmadog Harbour Station, where you will find Santa in his Christmas Carriage Grotto. Santa will be in his grotto on selected dates from Saturday, December 10, to Friday, December 19, and Wednesday, December 23, and tickets start at £4.50.
To meet Santa you will need to pre-book, which you can do online here.
Rheilfford Gwili Railway
Starting and returning from Bronwydd Arms station, near Carmarthen, you can enjoy a steam train ride alongside Santa. Children under 11 will receive a present from Santa and everyone can pose for a photo with Santa while the train journey lasts around one hour and a half.
You can hop on board the Santa Special train on selected dates from Saturday, December 3, to Christmas Eve. Tickets start at £9.95 and you book your tickets here.
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
Travelling through mid-Wales and meeting Santa is possible thanks to the Santa Specials at Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Boarding the train at Llanfair Caereinion you can stay warm and cosy in the heated carriages and you will then meet Santa during the 50 minute train journey.
Every child will receive a gingerbread man and a juice carton, while adults can enjoy a hot mince pie and a non-alcoholic hot seasonal drink. Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway has not increased its prices from 2021, meaning adult and child tickets are £19.50 and infants under one go free.
This train ride will be running on the first three weekends of December and Monday, December 19. You have to book beforehand, which you can do here.
Rhyl Miniature Railway
Rhyl Miniature Railway has been running for more than 100 years and this Christmas you can meet Santa on this sweet smaller railway on their Santa Specials. The Santa Specials are running on selected dates from Saturday, December 3, until Christmas Eve.
Tickets are £12 for adults and £4 for children and you can book your tickets here.
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway is not just providing a train journey to meet Santa this year but also you get to visit Mrs Claus and enjoy her festive treats and meet the donkeys. The train will depart from Tywyn Wharf station - tickets are £17 for adults and children.
The Santa Special Trains will be running on Saturday, December 10, Sunday, December 11, Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18. You can book your tickets here.
Bala Lake Railway
You don't just get to meet Santa but you will also enjoy a hot drink or glass of sherry, and mince pie on the Bala Lake Santa Specials. You hop on the train at Llanuwchllyn and head to Santa's grotto where the children will meet Santa and receive a gift.
You will be on board the train for 45 minutes and they are running on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. Tickets are £11 for adults, £12 for children, £1 for dogs, and babies go on for free.
You can pre-book online, which you can do here.
Llangollen Railway
You can meet Santa and enjoy the gorgeous views of the River Dee as you travel from Llangollen to Carrog, where there will be a winter wonderland Lapland. On the way to ‘Lapland’, Santa and his special team of elves pass through the carriages handing out gifts to all the children on the nice list.
The trains will be running the first three weekends in December and Wednesday, December 21, Thursday December 22, Friday, December 23 and Christmas Eve. Ticket prices start at £26 and you can book your tickets here.
Blaenavon's Heritage Railway
Blaenavon Heritage Railway has confirmed that its Steam Santa Specials will be returning for 2022 but have not yet released any details. They will update their Facebook page and website when they have more information available.
You can keep up to date on their website, here.
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