Steam into Christmas at Didcot Railway Centre

About Steam into Christmas at Didcot Railway Centre

Steam Into Christmas and help Santa find his missing reindeer!

Explore the 21-acre site to find each of Santa’s lost reindeer, culminating in a visit to the grotto to meet Santa. Grab your tickets, make tracks to Didcot Railway Centre and Steam Into Christmas! Weekends of 06 and 07 December, 13 and 14 December, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December.

Kids. There’s been a disaster. Santa’s reindeer have all escaped and are lost. And Santa needs your help. You know that he needs the reindeer to deliver all the presents on Christmas Eve.

Can you help him find them?

Explore the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings, and small artefacts at the 21-acre museum set around the original 1932 engine shed whilst you locate all the reindeer stations.

You’ll receive a special passport and a stocking as you enter, and at each reindeer station, you’ll receive a small gift as a reward. The visit will culminate with a visit to Santa in the giant toy workshop, where he’ll hear what you want to get for Christmas, and you’ll get to choose your own gift from the selection on offer. Your entry ticket will also include unlimited train rides on the main demonstration line.

There will be seasonal refreshments in the catering building to enjoy as you explore the original 1932 GWR Engine Shed. Here, you can see more restored locomotives, see the footplate of some, and meet Eddie the Engine Driver, who will be telling festive tales of the railways at Christmas time.

Gates open at 9.30am, and you’ll need to book a specific arrival time as space on the trains is limited – you’ll receive a boarding pass confirming your itinerary on arrival. You should allow around 2 to 3 hours for your Steam Into Christmas experience but are welcome to stay longer if you wish – the centre closes at 4.00pm.

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Tickets

Please see important booking information below.

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Booking information

Dates & times:
Weekends of 06 and 07 December, 13 and 14 December, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December 2025.

Please select your date and arrival time and ensure you book the correct date and number of tickets. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot usually be amended.

You should arrive at the time booked and allow 2 to 3 hours for your Steam Into Christmas experience. You are welcome to stay longer if you wish – facilities close at 4.00pm with last exit at 4.30pm.

There is limited space at this event, so all tickets must be booked in advance.

Child tickets include admission, Christmas stocking, unlimited steam train rides and visit to Santa’s workshop.

Adults tickets also required for admission, unlimited steam train rides and visit to Santa’s workshop.

Free for children under 1, but tickets required.

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Good to know

There are outdoor picnic tables and benches around the centre which you are welcome to use should the weather permit.

Please note that whilst dogs are usually welcomed at Didcot Railway Centre, they ask that you leave your faithful friends at home due to the confines of space in the transfer shed and coaches. (Assistance dogs are permitted).

Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility should consult the centre’s accessibility page.