Festive preparations are now in full swing and we’ve got some exciting news to share with you all…
Tickets for the Caernarfon Santa Trains, Magical Carriage Grotto and New Year trains are NOW ON SALE..!
Our popular Santa trains run between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu, with Santa and his Elves on-board, greeting passengers, handing out gifts and singing Christmas carols!
Our Magical Carriage Grotto will once again be hosted at Porthmadog Harbour Station, specially prepared by our team of hard working Elves!
We will also be running a selection of Seasonal Snowdonia Special between the 28th of December 2024 – 1st of January 2025 inclusive, so there will be plenty of opportunities to shake off those Post-Christmas blues!
If you can’t wait until December, there will be two Christmas Markets in Caernarfon on the 16th of November, the Food Festival’s market takes place in our station and other venues around the town, while the Galeri also has its own market.
If these dates don’t suit, or you are too far away, you can always visit our web shop; www.festshop.co.uk which has a large selection of both local and railway interest gifts.
Read on to find our more!
Welsh Highland Railway Santa Trains : Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu
December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd
Our Welsh Highland Railway Santa Trains are the highlight of our festive calendar, as we welcome Santa and his Elves on board our trains between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu!
Our Santa Train sets off from Caernarfon Station, where passengers collect their complimentary Christmas Hamper, full of tasty treats to enjoy on the train!
Once on board, get ready to enjoy the fantastic scenery of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and look out for Santa and his Elves who will be passing through the train with gifts for all the well-behaved children! When the train arrives at Rhyd-Ddu station, there’s an opportunity for photo opportunities with Santa and his Elves before the return journey to Caernarfon.
Our Santa Trains are perfect for getting your Christmas festivities started so make sure you book your tickets for an exciting and fun journey through Snowdonia National Park.
The Caernarfon Station Gift Shop will be open on your return, so that you can purchase a memento of your day or perhaps a festive gift!
Our popular ‘Santa Train’ services, which run from Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu, will take place on the 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd of December 2024
Total journey time will be approx. 2hr 40min.
We will be offering both Standard and Gold seating options
Please note: Tickets should be booked in advance so the Elves can organise your presents…
Tickets for our Welsh Highland Santa Trains can be booked online or by calling our Booking Office Santa Hotline; 01766 516070
Santa’s Magical Christmas Grotto at Harbour Station
December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd
During his time in North Wales, Santa will also be visiting our Magical Carriage Grotto in Porthmadog!
Harbour Station in Porthmadog becomes a winter wonderland from the moment you step inside. There will be footplate rides, selfie opportunities, Christmas shopping and mulled wine, together with seasonal refreshments in Spooner’s café/bar. One of our carriages will be transformed into a magical Christmas Grotto by our team of Elves, so expect to be wowed as you step inside to meet Santa! Due to his busy schedule at this time of year, we are asking visitors to pre-book a slot.
Santa’s Christmas Carriage Grotto will be available to visit here in Porthmadog Harbour Station on the 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of December 2024.
Tickets to visit the Grotto include a gift for each child, and can be booked online or by calling our Booking Office Santa Hotline; 01766 516070
The “Christmas Cwellyn” : Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu
December 28th – January 1st inclusive
Our ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ services begin at our award-winning Caernarfon station, where our Cafe De Winton will be open, serving seasonal refreshments prior to departure.
Once on board, sit back and enjoy as the train sets off through the majestic landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, on its way to the interval stop at Rhyd Ddu station. Here, there will be a short break, allowing passengers an opportunity to enjoy the views and take some photos, before setting off on the return journey to Caernarfon.
The Caernarfon station café and gift shop will be open during your visit, so you can purchase refreshments and a memento of your day!
Our ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ services will be running on December 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and January 1st, with two departures per day at 10:45 and 13:45. We will be offering both Standard and Gold seating.
Total journey time will be approx. 2hr 20min.
*Please note; the ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ service is NOT a ‘Santa Train’ service i.e. Santa will not be on-board for this journey! For Santa Trains, please see our Welsh Highland Santa Trains. Details, and tickets for our ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ will shortly be available online or by calling our Booking Office; 01766 516024
The “Christmas Mountain Spirit” : Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog
December 28th – January 1st inclusive
Our ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ services run between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog and passengers can start their journey from either station.
Enjoy a festive journey through the beautiful landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, with popular sights including the towering slate tips in Blaenau Ffestiniog, the spiral at Dduallt and the tunnel near Llyn Ystradau.
Note: Tickets will be available to purchase from Blaenau Ffestiniog as well as Porthmadog.
Spooner’s Café and Harbour Station gift shop will be open during your visit, so you can purchase refreshments and a memento of your day!
Our ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ services will be running on December 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and January 1st, with two departures per day from Porthmadog at 10:00 and 13:30, and one departure at 11:40 from Blaenau Ffestiniog, in order to complete a return journey. We are offering both standard and Gold seating.
*Please note; the ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ service is NOT a ‘Santa Train’ service i.e. Santa will not be on-board for this journey! For Santa Trains, please see our Welsh Highland Santa Trains. Details, and tickets for our ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ will shortly be available online or by calling our Booking Office; 01766 516024
Christmas Shopping
At our shops in Caernarfon and Porthmadog, and online
If you are looking to get your Christmas shopping up and running, visit our online shop and browse our extensive range of gifts!
Highlights include our 2024 Christmas cards, which feature two stunning designs of Festive Minffordd Station, and Santa on the footplate of a Garratt, by talented local artist Rebecca Kitchin BA. Each pack of ten cards and envelopes contains five of each design, with the greeting inside in English and Welsh.
Get organized for next year with our 2025 Ff&WHR Calendar, complete with twelve stunning images.
There is plenty of branded clothing, an extensive range of railway models, gift vouchers and much more available online, so head over and take a look for yourself.
Porthmadog Harbour station and Caernarfon station shops will also be open for Christmas shopping in November and December.
We would like to say a big thank you for all your support during the year thus far, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you here this festive season!