* There is always a party atmosphere on the railway's vintage carriages.
Following the success of its inaugural Ales from Wales Real Ale Trains, Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced two new themed events for 2026 - a Halloween Ales from Wales Train on Saturday October 31 and a Christmas Ales from Wales Train on Saturday December 12.
Ales from Wales attracted hundreds of passengers who enjoyed an evening of locally brewed Welsh ales, heritage rail travel and a fantastic atmosphere through the beautiful Dee Valley.
Every passenger travelling on the Halloween and Christmas Ales from Wales trains will receive an exclusive Llangollen Railway branded souvenir pint cup to take home as a keepsake of their journey.
The Halloween Ales from Wales Train gets underway at 5pm with live music at Llangollen Station, giving passengers the chance to soak up the atmosphere before boarding the train at 7pm.
Guests are encouraged to come in fancy dress, while stations and carriages across the railway will be transformed with spooky decorations. During the journey, the train will make a special stop close to Berwyn Tunnel - widely regarded as Wales' most haunted location - creating a unique and spine-tingling experience.
Passengers should also keep a watchful eye out for The Phantom Signalman, who will be making mysterious appearances throughout the train as darkness falls.
To complete the occasion, passengers can enjoy a specially created Halloween-themed menu alongside a selection of Welsh real ales.
Throughout Halloween Day, the railway will be running Spooky Trains between Llangollen and Corwen, stopping at all stations, giving families the chance to enjoy a fun-filled day out. The first 100 children travelling on Halloween will each receive a free Halloween Party Pack, making it the perfect family day out during the school holidays.
The festive fun continues with the Christmas Ales from Wales Train on Saturday December 12. The evening begins at 6.45pm with live music at Llangollen Station, before the train departs at 7.30pm.
Perfect for Christmas parties, friends, families and work colleagues, the railway will be transformed into a festive wonderland with seasonal decorations throughout the stations and carriages.
Christmas anthems and festive favourites will be played both at the stations and on board the train, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a superb selection of Welsh ales and celebrate the festive season in style. Father Christmas will also be making a special appearance on board, adding even more festive magic to the journey.
The excitement continues on Saturday November 7 with the return of Ride the Rocket, combining a spectacular evening steam train journey with one of North Wales' biggest fireworks displays in partnership with the Corwen Fireworks Committee.
From late November through to Christmas Eve, the railway's popular Santa Specials will once again welcome thousands of families on board. Beautifully decorated steam trains, festive entertainment, a visit from Father Christmas and a magical journey through the Dee Valley make the Santa Specials one of North Wales' most treasured Christmas traditions.
Alongside the Santa Specials, the much-loved Siôn Corn Arbennig will also return, offering a unique Welsh-language Christmas experience between Corwen and Lapland (Carrog). With Siôn Corn travelling on board, a festive grotto, gifts for children and a warm Welsh welcome, it's the perfect seasonal celebration for Welsh-speaking families and learners alike.
And because Christmas shouldn't end on Boxing Day, the railway's popular Mince Pie Specials will once again run between Christmas and New Year, now extended to Friday January 1 for a special New Year's Day steam train. Passengers can relax with a complimentary mince pie and warming festive tipple while enjoying unlimited travel through the stunning winter scenery of the Dee Valley, making it the perfect way to welcome 2027.
James Veal, Events Coordinator at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: "The response to our first Ales from Wales Real Ale Train has been nothing short of incredible. We knew people would enjoy the concept, but the level of enthusiasm has exceeded all of our expectations.
"We've had so many people asking for Halloween and Christmas night trains that we simply had to make them happen. Whether you're looking for a fun night out with friends, a memorable Christmas party or simply an evening enjoying great Welsh ales on one of Britain's most scenic heritage railways, these trains offer something really special.
"Our Halloween event will be packed with atmosphere from the moment guests arrive, with live music, fancy dress, spooky decorations, a specially themed menu, a stop close to the haunted Berwyn Tunnel and appearances from The Phantom Signalman, who'll be keeping a watchful eye over the railway throughout the evening. Earlier in the day, our Spooky Trains will be running to Corwen, and we're delighted to be giving free Halloween Party Packs to the first 100 children who travel."
Tim Hines, from the Railway's footplate team, added: "Our Christmas Ales from Wales Train will be the perfect festive celebration, with live music before departure, beautifully decorated stations and trains, Christmas music throughout the evening, Father Christmas joining passengers on board and a fantastic selection of Welsh ales.
"Together with Ride the Rocket, our Santa Specials, Siôn Corn Arbennig and our extended Mince Pie Specials running through to New Year's Day, we're offering our biggest and most exciting programme of autumn and Christmas events ever. We expect demand to be extremely high across all of our events, so I'd encourage everyone to book early to avoid disappointment."
Tickets
Tickets for both new Ales from Wales Trains are on sale now:
- The Corwen Special – Saturday 15 August – £20
- Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 12 September – £20
- Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 10 October – £20
- Halloween Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 31 October – £30
- Christmas Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 12 December – £30
Book online at:
Tickets for Ride the Rocket, Halloween Spooky Trains, Santa Specials, Siôn Corn Arbennig and the extended Mince Pie Specials are also available via the Llangollen and Corwen Railway website.
Autumn and Christmas Events 2026
- The Corwen Special (Ales from Wales) – Saturday 15 August (£20)
- Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 12 September (£20)
- Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 10 October (£20)
- Halloween Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 31 October (£30) Live music from 5pm. Live music from 5pm / Train departs 7pm
- Ride the Rocket – Saturday 7 November
- Santa Specials – Selected dates from late November to Christmas Eve
- Siôn Corn Arbennig – Selected dates during the Christmas season
- Christmas Ales from Wales Train – Saturday 12 December (£30) Live music from 6.45pm / Train departs 7.30pmTrain departs 7.30pm
- Mince Pie Specials – 27 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027, including the special New Year's Day service.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.