Officially licensed Christmas train journey inspired by the film 'The Polar Express', with carol singing, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
The Polar Express Train Ride is coming to Edinburgh Waverley Station throughout November and December 2026, with one date on Friday 27 November. It's based on the 2004 film The Polar Express, and it's officially licensed by Rail Events International and Warner Bros, so it follows the story pretty closely. The organisers describe it as the UK's most magical Christmas train journey, and the whole thing is built around that film's atmosphere.
Before you even get on, there's a bit of a dress code: families are encouraged to turn up in their finest pyjamas and dressing gowns, so you're already in the spirit before you climb aboard at Waverley. Once the train pulls away, the cast brings the songs from the film to life, and hot chocolate and a sweet treat are served to everyone on board. The highlight comes when Santa himself visits each carriage to hand every child a silver sleigh bell, which they call the 'First Gift of Christmas'.
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The whole experience runs for between an hour and a half and two hours, so it's a proper outing rather than a quick trip. It's set up for families, with the pyjamas and the treats making it more of a themed event than a standard train ride. If you're planning to go, just keep in mind it's running across November and December, so you've got a fair few dates to choose from around the city.
