Epping Ongar Lights Party Express
Passengers step aboard train carriages decorated inside and out with thousands of colourful lights, creating vibrant views of the landscape along the route. Hosted by the legendary Voiceover Man, the ride features on-board games, comedy, and music singalongs paired with synchronized light shows and complimentary LED wristbands. Before departure, guests can stop at the station for burgers, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and drinks from a licensed bar.
What to Expect
Immersive illuminated train journey featuring interactive light shows and Voiceover Man.
Event Details
Duration
Approximately 90 minutes.
Food & Drink
Before boarding, Ongar station has a street-food truck serving hot and cold snacks including burgers and hot dogs, plus hot chocolate, tea, coffee and soft drinks; a licensed bar offers bottled alcoholic drinks.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and groups who enjoy music and interactive entertainment
Vibe
Festive and energetic
Energy Level
Low
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Know Before You Go
- Parking: No parking at Ongar station; car parks are a 5-minute walk away.
- Accessibility: The show features flashing lights that may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
Tips & Advice
- Board at Ongar station only; the train does not stop at North Weald, so arrange your journey to the correct departure point.
- Drive to nearby town car parks and allow for the five-minute walk to the station; there is no parking at Ongar station.
- Choose your themed train carefully: Christmas Gold is family-oriented, while Groove Train is aimed at grown-ups and mature teenagers.
- Standard seats are unallocated around tables of four, and groups may need to share; arrive ready to sit where space is available.
- Save your e-ticket PDF to your smartphone if you cannot print it, and note the show has flashing lights that may affect some medical conditions.
Special Events & Promotions
- Three new party themes for 2026: Christmas Gold, Party Anthems and Groove Train.
- Christmas Gold sessions run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from November 28 to December 23.
- Party Anthems sessions run on November 15 and 22 and from December 27 to January 2; sessions on December 31 leave earlier.
- Groove Train sessions run on November 14, 21 and 27 and from December 27 to January 2; the December 31 session leaves earlier and is the last train of 2026.
- Groove Train is aimed at grown-ups and mature teenagers.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the different train themes suited to?
Christmas Gold is described as suitable for families of all ages; Party Anthems is aimed at slightly older families, while Groove Train is for grown-ups and mature teenagers.
What happens during the journey?
The train has thousands of lights, a synchronized lightshow, music, singalongs, an on-board game hosted by the Voiceover Man, and interactive LED wristbands.
Can I get food and drinks before boarding?
Yes. Ongar station has a street food truck with snacks such as burgers and hot dogs, plus hot drinks, soft drinks and a licensed bar.
Where can I park, and can I board at North Weald?
There is no parking at Ongar station; car parks are a five-minute walk away. The train departs from Ongar only and does not stop at North Weald.
How long is the experience, and should I be aware of anything on board?
The journey lasts about 90 minutes. The show includes flashing lights that may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
More Christmas Events near Southend-on-Sea
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.