Father Christmas returns to Lappa Valley on 12 dates in 2026: 28-29 November, 5-6 December, 12-13 December and every day from 19 to 24 December. Visitors board the train at Benny Halt for the journey to East Wheal Rose, with unlimited rides on the Lakeside Railway once there; every child gets a present, a cookie and a hot or cold drink, and accompanying adults get a mince pie and a hot drink too.
Adult tickets cost £19, child tickets (ages 3-15) are £22, children aged 2 and under are £10 and dogs cost £6, all inclusive of park admission, both railways and the visit to Father Christmas. Lappa Valley members get discounted tickets - £14 for adults and £16.50 for children - on the 28 and 29 November dates only.
On Saturday 5 December, three morning trains (9:30am, 10:30am and 11:30am) are adapted for groups with special educational needs and disabilities, with brighter grotto lighting, static light displays and very quiet Christmas music. These can only be booked by phone on 01872 510317, not online.
Visitor information
Dates: Selected dates from Saturday 28 November to Thursday 24 December 2026. Check the occurrence list above; the event does not run daily across the full range.
Venue: Lappa Valley, St Newlyn East, Newquay, TR8 5LX.
Admission: £19 adults, £22 children (3-15), £10 for ages 2 and under, £6 dogs, all including park entry and both railways.
Getting there: Trains run back to the car park every 30 minutes. The last train on Christmas Eve leaves at 2:30pm, when Lappa Valley closes for the day.
Booking: Book online at lappavalley.co.uk or call 01872 510317. General admission without the Father Christmas experience is not available on these dates.
Where to stay
The venue is at St Newlyn East near Newquay. Browse places to stay near Newquay.
