# Great Central Railway Santa Express 2026

> Great Central Railway Santa Express 2026 runs 28 November to 24 December 2026. Times, booking and what to know, from the official page.

Source: https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/santa-trains/great-central-railway/

SANTA TRAINS

28 Nov to 24 Dec 2026, Great Central Railway, Loughborough Central station.

A festive steam train from Loughborough to Leicester North with singing elves, Mrs Claus and Santa, and a stop at his grotto. Every child gets a gift and activity pack.

| Dates | 28 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Departs From | Loughborough Central LE11 1RW [Open in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=52.7682,-1.1978) |
| Journey | return trip to Leicester North with a 25-minute stop there for Santa's grotto |
| Includes | Children meet Santa, get an activity pack, a gift, a festive drink and treats; adults get an Irish cream liqueur and a mince pie |
| Tickets and Price | Tickets from 27.50 pounds; private compartments cost more |
| Booking | Book ahead: tickets are not sold on the night. [Book on the official site](https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/christmas/gcrxm-santa-express/) |
| Organiser | Great Central Railway. [Official page](https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/christmas/gcrxm-santa-express/) |
| At or Near Here | [Love Loughborough Festive Fair](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/loughborough/), 29 Nov 2026 |
| Hotels | [Hotels near Loughborough](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=52.7682&lng=-1.1978&address=Loughborough%2C%20UK&checkin=2026-11-28&checkout=2026-11-29&currency=GBP&campaign=bcm_santa_santa_great_central_railway_top) [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/) |

Checked against [Great Central Railway](https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/christmas/gcrxm-santa-express/), 21 October 2026. Times and prices can change: check the official page before you set off. Spotted something out of date? [Tell us](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/contact/).

## Where Is Great Central Railway Santa Express?

**Making a night of it?** [See hotels near Loughborough](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=52.7682&lng=-1.1978&address=Loughborough%2C%20UK&checkin=2026-11-28&checkout=2026-11-29&currency=GBP&campaign=bcm_santa_santa_great_central_railway_link), priced for a night it is on. [affiliate link](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/)

## Christmas Markets Nearby

Make a day of it: the closest Christmas markets with confirmed 2026 dates.

[Love Loughborough Festive Fair  Loughborough, Leicestershire  29 Nov 2026  Under a mile away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/loughborough/) [Leicester Cathedral Christmas Market  Leicester, Leicestershire  5 Dec 2026  10 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/leicester-cathedral/) [Curly Magpie Christmas Markets at Calke  Ticknall, Derbyshire  27 Nov to 23 Dec 2026  11 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/calke-abbey/) [Nottingham Winter Wonderland  Nottingham, Nottinghamshire  12 Nov to 24 Dec 2026  13 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/nottingham/)

[All santa trains](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/santa-trains/) · [Christmas markets near you](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/)