It’s a fully immersive walkthrough experience for families to enjoy, and will be returning to Manchester this November and December.
BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience will bring the magic of Christmas to life in Manchester this winter at the O2 Victoria Warehouse(Image: BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience)
An immersive Polar Express experience that delighted families in Manchester last Christmas has announced it will return for 2026. The attraction is described as “unlike any other seasonal events” and is officially sanctioned by film bosses Warner Bros to recreate the hit Christmas movie as a magical family event which takes place entirely indoors.
The BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience is confirmed to return to the O2 Victoria Warehouse at Old Trafford this November and December. The fully immersive walkthrough experience invites families to journey through the heart of the beloved story that was made into a hit 2004 film starring Tom Hanks.
Visitors to the attraction will follow the Hero Boy and Hero Girl on a fantastical trip to the North Pole. Like the movie and the book, it tells the story of a magical steam train which stops outside the house of a young boy, whose belief in Father Christmas is wavering – on Christmas Eve, of all days.
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He then embarks on an adventure-filled return trip to the North Pole to meet the man himself, making a few friends along the way and restoring his belief in the process. Many visitors choose to dress up in their own Christmas pyjamas to really get into the tradition of the story too.
The production, from Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Rail Events Inc., and Plus Live Events offers guests a completely unique North Pole style experience – without leaving the city. Bookings for the event are now live, with dates available from 21st November right through to Christmas Eve, December 24.
While THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride has become a holiday tradition worldwide, and welcomed over 1.7 million riders in 2024, BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience was hailed as a brand-new experience when it launched last year – with no moving train or stations to navigate. Instead, the fully immersive walkthrough event brings the world of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ off the tracks and into a hands-on environment.
It’s billed as a magical adventure designed for those looking to experience the story in a brand new, up-close way. The experience begins in the comfort of Hero Boy’s bedroom before stepping into the iconic Polar Express carriage as a passenger.
Along the journey, guests will pass through magical landscapes including the Caribou Forest, icy lakes and a dazzling Northern Lights display—culminating in a breathtaking arrival at the North Pole.
On your way, families get to encounter beloved characters such as the Conductor, Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and the mysterious Hobo. And of course there’s also the chance to meet Santa himself.
The experience ends with guests able to head to a festive village area where you can enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and cookie, and take part in interactive storytelling and handicrafts.
A relaxed performance day for guests with neuro diverse conditions will also be organised, with details announced nearer the time. The MEN’s reviewer headed along last year and you can read his review of the attraction here.
Tickets are priced from £26.04 for cares, £42.95 for children and from £52.94 for adults depending on the dates and times, with all details at the Polarexpressbelievemanchester website now. Infants under two years old go free.
