East Lancashire Railway Santa Specials
Visitors begin by walking through Bury Bolton Street Station, transformed into a winter wonderland with festive scenes and costumed characters such as elves, Mrs Claus, and the Ice Princess. Guests then board a heritage steam train for an approximately 80-minute round trip through the Irwell Valley to Rawtenstall and back. The journey includes live carols from a traditional brass band, a mince pie and festive drink, and a personal visit from Santa Claus with gifts for each child.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
Adult, child and adult-with-under-3-on-knee ticket prices vary by date: 28–29 November from £25, £24.50 and £39 respectively; 5–6 December from £30, £29.50 and £44; 12–13 December and 19 December from £34, £33.50 and £48; 20 December and 24 December £41.50, £41 and £59; 21 December £35, £34.50 and £51; 22–23 December from £31, £30.50 and £45. A £2.50 booking fee applies per order, not per ticket, and is included in the total shown before checkout. Adults with under-3 tickets include a gift for the child; an adult-only ticket does not provide a gift for the child.
Hours
Santa Special departures from Bury: 28–29 November and 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 24 December: 09:30, 10:20, 11:10, 12:00, 12:50, 13:40, 14:30*, 15:20*, 16:10*. On 21 December: 10:20, 12:00, 13:40, 15:20. On 22–23 December: 10:00, 10:50, 11:40, 12:30, 13:20, 14:10, 15:00. The starred services do not operate on 24 December.
Ages
All ages
Food & Drink
The ride includes a mince pie and festive tipple, with a soft-drink swap available; gluten-free biscuit and dairy-free chocolate alternatives can be requested.
Parking
Parking at Bolton Street Station and nearby is very limited. The page recommends beginning at Heywood, where it says there is a free car park, and taking the Santa diesel shuttle to Bury. It recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure.
Accessibility
Every Santa Special train features a specially adapted private carriage offering direct wheelchair access.
Pets
Dogs are not permitted at the Santa Special event, except guide dogs.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your steam train departs, because the experience starts with a walk through the decorated station before boarding.
- Park for free at Heywood and take the Santa diesel shuttle to Bury, because parking around Bolton Street Station is very limited.
- Book an Adult with under 3 ticket if you're bringing a baby, since an adult-only ticket does not include a gift for the child.
- Ask your steward for the gluten-free biscuit or dairy-free chocolate if you need them, or swap the festive tipple for a soft drink.
- Ask for Carriage A if you want the least walking, as it sits next to the engine and the entrance to the event.
Special Events & Promotions
- New this year: a British Sign Language interpreter on 28 and 29 November and 5 and 22 December, on SEND and non-SEND trains. Book by email; places are limited.
- SEND Family Santa Special: a customised experience designed for SEND families.
- Christmas Card Competition: children design an ELR Christmas card, and the winner gets four Santa Special tickets and their design printed and displayed.
- Nominate a Family: visitors pick five deserving local families to enjoy a Santa Special or SEND Santa Special.
- Santa Shuttle diesel railcar from Heywood to Bury, sold separately on an open return basis.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in a Santa Special?
A walk through the decorated winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station with characters like the elves, Mrs Claus and the Ice Princess. Then about 80 minutes by steam train to Rawtenstall and back, with a brass band, a mince pie and festive tipple, and a visit from Santa with time for photos. Every child gets a gift chosen by age band and an activity book.
Where should we park?
Parking at and around Bolton Street Station is very limited. Start at Heywood, which has a free car park, and take the Santa diesel shuttle to Bury. It takes about 15 minutes, and tickets are open return.
My child is under 3. Which ticket should I book?
Book an Adult with under 3 ticket. One seat is included with the child on your lap, and under-3s receive a teddy. An adult-only ticket doesn't include a gift for the child.
Is there food, and are there dietary alternatives?
The buffet on Platform 3 serves drinks, snacks, warm pies and treats for children, and the Trackside Bar on Platform 2 also serves refreshments. You can bring your own food too. The mince pie is vegan, and you can ask for a gluten-free biscuit or a dairy-free chocolate. Your steward can swap the festive tipple for a soft drink.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users and prams?
Every train has a wheelchair-adapted carriage with direct access, offered privately to one family at a time and booked by phone. A pram route avoids the platform stairs, and each train has a buggy carriage where you can leave a pram and collect it on your return.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.