Following overwhelming public demand and the huge success of its inaugural Ales from Wales Real Ale Trains, Llangollen and Corwen Railway is delighted to announce two brand-new themed events for 2026 – a Halloween Ales from Wales Train on Saturday 31 October and a Christmas Ales from Wales Train on Saturday 12 December.
The announcement comes after the railway’s Ales from Wales events proved a runaway success, attracting hundreds of passengers who have enjoyed an unforgettable 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 promises to be a frightfully good evening. The event 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 the legendary 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 fantastic selection of Welsh real ales.
The Halloween celebrations don’t stop there. Throughout Halloween Day, Llangollen and Corwen 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 12 December. 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.
Looking ahead, the excitement continues on Saturday 7 November 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.
The festive season doesn’t end there. From late November through to Christmas Eve, the railway’s hugely 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 1 January 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:
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/real-ale-train/
