Festive family fun returns to Locomotion
5th October 2026
Free entry and free parking alongside free festive activities and a £15 Father Christmas experience make Locomotion an affordable North East family day out this Christmas.
Families across the North East looking for an affordable day out this Christmas can head to Locomotion in Shildon, where a packed programme of festive activities offers plenty to enjoy without a hefty price tag.
Between 12 – 23 December, Father Christmas is returning to Locomotion and taking up residence inside a cosy heritage train carriage in Main Hall to meet children and give them each a special gift.
The Father Christmas experience costs £15 per child and, as well as the gift, includes a mini warming hot chocolate and 10% off in the shop, where a wide selection of Christmas gifts will be available including exclusive rail baubles and Christmas jumpers.
Father Christmas will be visiting Locomotion on 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December, and advanced booking is highly recommended for this popular experience.
In addition, an extended, relaxed Father Christmas Experience will also be available on Sunday 13 December for visitors who may benefit from a quieter and more flexible experience.
Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion said:
“We know Christmas can be an expensive time for families, so we want Locomotion to be a place where people can enjoy a really special festive day out without having to spend a fortune. For £15 per person, families can book a Father Christmas experience, while admission to the museum, parking and many of our other activities remain free. There’s also the chance to explore some incredible railway history, so there really is something for everyone.”
There will also be plenty of opportunities for families to get creative over the Christmas holidays. From 27 – 30 December, Same Difference Arts will run seasonal family learning workshops, alongside a free activity where visitors can make their own calendar.
The festive fun starts earlier with Locomotion’s Makers’ Market on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Held in association with Weardale Makers' Market, the indoor market will feature handmade creations, workshops and demonstrations – offering visitors the chance to pick up something unique while supporting local craftmakers.
Based in Shildon, County Durham, the world’s first railway town, Locomotion is home to highlights from the national collection of railway vehicles, with historic locomotives, carriages and wagons telling the story of Britain’s railway heritage.
Whether families are visiting to meet Father Christmas, explore the museum's impressive collection, get creative at a workshop or simply enjoy a free day out together, Locomotion offers a festive experience to suit a range of budgets.
