Christmas Train of Lights
Passengers take an illuminated steam train journey along the line from Paignton to Kingswear. On the return trip back to Paignton, Santa and a helper visit every guest at their seat. Both adults and children receive a gift from Santa during the journey.
What to Expect
Illuminated steam train journey featuring gifts and seat visits from Santa.
Event Details
Ages
All ages (children under 3 travel free, but specific pricing applies for ages 3-15)
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company
Food & Drink
Mulled wine and mince pies are not offered on this service; no other food or drink options are specified.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and magical
Energy Level
Low
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Adult (aged 15+): £39.50, with no concession fare. Child (aged 19 months–14 years): £29.00. Children aged 0–18 months travel free, but no seat is provided. No family ticket is available. Ticket delivery is offered for £4.95. – Get tickets
- Hours: Departures: 17:00 and 19:00.
- Parking: Torbay Council car parks near the station include Victoria, Hyde Road, Station Lane and Churchward Road. Great Western car park has a 3-hour maximum stay.
- Accessibility: A wheelchair carriage is available, bookable by phone or in person at the Paignton station only. There are toilets at the station and on the train.
- Pets: Only registered disability assistance dogs are allowed.
Tips & Advice
- Arrive at Queen's Park Station in Paignton at least 30 minutes before departure, and grab a hot drink at the Head of Steam café.
- Book wheelchair spaces by phone or in person at Paignton station, because the wheelchair carriage cannot be booked online.
- Tell the team when booking if you are travelling with another party, as they will do their utmost to seat you together.
- Don't expect mulled wine, mince pies or a pantomime on this service; Santa's seat visits and gifts come on the return journey.
- Have your camera ready at Kingswear, where you can step off onto the platform for photographs before the train heads back.
Special Events & Promotions
- Back for 2026 with more dates added to meet demand.
- The 2026 Train of Lights show features new lineside displays and surprises that can only be seen from the train.
- Ticket delivery is available for an extra fee.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Santa visit passengers?
Santa and his helper visit guests directly at their seats on the return journey from Kingswear to Paignton.
Do adults receive a gift from Santa?
Yes, every adult and child receives a gift from Santa.
Are mulled wine and mince pies served?
No, mulled wine and mince pies are not offered on the Train of Lights+Santa service.
Is there a pantomime show during the trip?
No, there is no pantomime performance on the train or at Queen's Park or Kingswear stations.
Do babies require a ticket?
Children aged 0 to 18 months travel for free, but no seat is provided for them.
More Christmas Events Near Paignton
More Christmas Events near Paignton
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.