Picture a steam whistle echoing through the bush, a carriage full of excited kids, and the smell of a heritage locomotive drifting across the platform. Now add carnival rides, Christmas markets and Santa himself, and you’ve got the Santa Express & Christmas Carnival, coming to Zig Zag Railway at Clarence on Saturday 5 December 2026.It’s our biggest Christmas celebration yet, and a great way to kick off the festive season if you’re looking for places to visit in the Blue Mountains with the family.
All Aboard the Discovery Journey
At the heart of the day is a classic steam train ride. Our beautifully restored heritage train takes you on a 45-minute Discovery Journey, giving you the sights, sounds and nostalgia of a Blue Mountains railway adventure without needing to travel far from Sydney.
Five journeys run throughout the day:
- 10:30am
- 11:30am
- 1:00pm
- 2:00pm
- 3:00pm
The shorter trip is just long enough to feel like a proper adventure, but short enough for preschoolers and primary school children to enjoy every minute, which leaves plenty of energy for everything else on offer.
More Than a Train Ride
When the train pulls back into Clarence, the Christmas fun is just getting started.
- Unlimited carnival rides: Hop on as many times as you like. The selection is mostly aimed at young families, with a few rides for teens and adults too.
- Santa at Clarence Station: Santa will be at the station all day, ready for a chat and a photo with a heritage train in the background or at a festive photo display.
- Christmas markets: Browse the stalls, find a gift or two and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
This year, Santa is staying at the station rather than riding the train. That means you can visit him before or after your journey, whenever suits your family.
A Sample Day at Zig Zag Railway
Wondering how to fit it all in? Here’s one way to enjoy the day:
- Morning: Arrive in time for the 10:30am journey, then head straight to the carnival rides while the kids’ excitement is still high.
- Midday: Visit Santa for photos, then browse the Christmas markets or grab something at the café.
- Afternoon: Catch the 1:00pm, 2:00pm or 3:00pm journey if you’d like to ride later, then finish with another round on your favourite carnival ride.
There’s no set order, so you can mix it up to suit your family’s pace.
Planning a Family Day Near Sydney?
If you’re searching for family attractions near you, or for activities for kids in the Blue Mountains that suit a toddler and a grandparent equally well, this event is hard to beat. Everyone can ride the train together and share the same view, while the carnival and markets give older and younger guests plenty to enjoy. It’s also an easy trip from the city for anyone looking for a steam train experience near Sydney.
Joining Us for the Carnival Only
Not planning to ride the train? You can still join the celebration with a Carnival Only ticket, which includes unlimited carnival rides, Santa and the Christmas markets. It’s a great option for local families from Lithgow, the Blue Mountains and the surrounding areas, and it can be bought on the day with no need to pre-book.If you do want to travel on the train, carnival rides are already included with every train ticket, so there’s nothing extra to buy. Train seats are limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Full details are on our ticket information page.
Finding Us
Zig Zag Railway is at 840 Chifley Road, Clarence NSW 2790, about 15 minutes from Lithgow and around 90 minutes from Sydney. You can drive via the Great Western Highway, or catch a train to Lithgow and continue from there. For parking, café details and more, visit our Plan Your Visit page.
Save the Date
Saturday 5 December 2026. Clarence, Blue Mountains.
