Date & Time: Weekends of 28–29 November, 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December, plus 22–24 December 2026. Departures at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm and 3:00pm on running days.
Location: Pickering Station to Levisham Station, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering, North Yorkshire
Website: https://www.nymr.co.uk/santa
Each December, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway swaps its usual heritage steam services for something a little more magical, as the Santa Express carries families on an hour-long return journey between Pickering and Levisham through the snow-dusted moors. It is one of the most cherished family Christmas traditions on this stretch of North Yorkshire, and tickets are always in high demand from the moment bookings open.
Onboard, children are visited by Santa and his elves, who hand out gifts including a plush toy and a festive storybook, while carriages are decorated for the season and filled with Christmas music and games to keep younger passengers entertained throughout the round trip. Back at Pickering station, the festivities continue with a range of platform activities, including a “naughty or nice” scanner, a letter-to-Santa post box, seasonal games, and a Christmas-themed gift shop, along with a station tearoom for warming up with a hot drink before or after the journey.
The experience runs across a series of dates through late November and December, with several departures scheduled on each running day so families can choose a slot that suits their plans. Because capacity on each train is limited and demand is consistently high, booking well ahead is essential, particularly for weekend dates and the days immediately before Christmas, which tend to sell out first.
This is very much an event built with young families in mind, offering a self-contained, manageable outing that combines the charm of a heritage railway with the excitement of a visit from Santa, without requiring a long day out. The journey itself, rattling through wooded valleys and open moorland in December light, is a treat in its own right, giving parents and grandparents plenty to enjoy alongside the children.
Given how quickly Santa Express dates sell out each year, hotel guests hoping to include this in a festive Yorkshire break should plan and book several months ahead if possible, ideally alongside their accommodation. Pickering is a short drive from Whitby and Scarborough, making it an easy addition to a wider North Yorkshire Christmas itinerary, and a memorable way to introduce children to the magic of steam travel.
