Steam Illuminations
STEAM ILLUMINATIONS IS BACK FOR 2025 – BIGGER, BRIGHTER, AND MORE MAGICAL THAN EVER!
The Ultimate christmas celebration
Step aboard a steam train transformed into a dazzling spectacle of colour, music, and festive cheer! Steam Illuminations returns with a reimagined experience for 2025 – featuring immersive entertainment, enhanced light displays, and more onboard fun to make your journey truly unforgettable.
From the moment you step into the glowing carriages, you’ll be wrapped in a vibrant light and sound display. Thousands of synchronised LED lights – both inside and out – create a dynamic, ever-changing show that surrounds you in colour and rhythm. This year, the magic goes even further…
Even Better Onboard Entertainment
Enjoy a reimagined experience with live entertainers onboard, delivering festive fun, music, and magical moments throughout your journey. From interactive games to spontaneous singalongs, there’s excitement in every carriage.
Hosted by the Legendary ‘Voiceover Man’
Famous for Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor, ‘Voiceover Man’ returns as your charismatic host – guiding the journey with warmth, wit, and his signature humour. Get ready to laugh, sing, and compete in the lively FlashyOke game!
Snow Cascade Returns – Bigger & More Spectacular
At the summit of your journey, be mesmerised by the newly upgraded Snow Cascade – a delightful display, now extended for even more wonder.
New Onboard Trolley Service
Enjoy festive treats, snacks, and drinks from our NEW trolley service, available throughout the journey to keep the celebrations going.
What’s NEW at Alresford Station?
NEW light projections on station buildings guide you to the beginning of your magical journey. The beloved Talking and Singing Trees are back with a brand-new twist! This year, their show is bigger, better and even more entertaining, bringing added joy to this festive event. Wander through the Christmas Courtyard and see what treats are in store in each chalet.
Christmas Vibes Until 28 December
Before Christmas, the train is filled with holiday spirit and classic festive hits to get the whole carriage in the festive mood.
Pop Anthems Experience from 29 December - 4 January
After Christmas, keep the party going! The Pop Anthems Edition takes over with a soundtrack of iconic hits from the 60s to today – Queen, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and more – all perfectly synced with your interactive LED wristbands. It’s a dance party like no other!
Your Journey
Trains depart from either Alresford or Alton and return to your starting station. The full experience lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, so allow 2 hours for your festive adventure.
Your led wristband - a keepsake from the experience
Each ticket includes an LED wristband that lights up in sync with the show – and it’s yours to take home!
Did you know?
Simon Horn, the mastermind behind Steam Illuminations, also designs light shows for global music tours. With clients like Olly Murs, Westlife, Anastasia, and Ricky Gervais, he’s bringing concert-level spectacle straight to the tracks.
Steam Illuminations is back for 2025!
Steam Illuminations is an incredible sound and light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns. This makes the steam train look magical both inside and out!
NEW for 2025: Light projections to immerse you in the festive season!
‘Canopy of Lights’ returns this year in every carriage, bringing the light show inside the train, as well as ‘Snowlight Cascade’, an enchanting display of falling lights at the summit of your magical journey.
Enjoy the fun, interactive show all while hosted by the legendary ‘Voiceover Man’ (as heard on Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor); laugh with him (or at him) and compete against each other with the singalong “FlashyOke” game.
Join the festive action on board until 23 December, when the journey will be filled with big Christmas hits that will get you jigging about in the festive spirit; or visit from 27 December onwards for a musical journey from the 1960s to the present day with dance floor singalong anthems. Sing, dance and cheer on the magical, musical journey!
Book a ticket to be part of the full experience. This is sure to be an event the whole family will enjoy.
The trains depart from either Alresford or Alton and complete a round trip. The experience lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, so please allow 2 hours for your experience.
Your led wristband adds to the magic onboard the train and is yours to keep after the event
Interesting fact...
Simon Horn, the designer behind the Steam Illuminations show, also designs and programs lighting concert touring. He has toured the UK and internationally with pop acts including Anastacia, Dido, LibertyX, Olly Murs, The Pogues, Ricky Gervais and Westlife, designing and/or programming their light shows.
He definitely knows how to put on a show!
Fancy a party?
Experience Steam Illuminations Pop Anthems
The fun continues after Christmas with Steam Illuminations Pop Anthems Experience!
From the 27 December until the 4 January, the spectacular illuminated trains offer an unforgettable party experience under the dazzling glow of thousands of coloured LED lights that the Steam Illuminations event is famous for.
The Pop Anthems edition of Steam Illuminations features a soundtrack of iconic tunes spanning the 1960s to present day, including pop favourites from Queen, Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Taylor Swift, as well as sing-along cheesy classics and crowd-pleasing dance anthems.
With Pop Anthems LED wristbands, which synchronise with the music on board the train, and a sparkling ‘canopy of lights’ in every carriage, all hosted by the legendary ‘Voiceover Man’ (as heard on Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor), party guests are guaranteed an immersive journey that makes it impossible to stay seated!
Sing, dance and cheer on this musical party train – perfect for a night out with friends.
Trains depart from either Alresford or Alton and complete a round trip, back to the starting station. The journey lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
To book the Pop Anthems Experience, just choose a date from 27 December until 4 January.
Join the fun on board…
• Featuring ‘Voiceover Man’, the king of film and TV voice-over talent.
• A full immersive lightshow to music.
• NEW for 2025 – Light projections to immerse you in the festive season!
• Interactive LED wrist bands (as worn by the King on the Coronation concert!)
What's On
• Incredible neon coloured flashing views of the scenery outside the train.
• Dazzling ‘singing’ Christmas trees at Alresford.
• On board interactive narrative, clap, stamp and cheer!
• Full train Christmas karaoke experience!
• Laugh or groan to Voiceover Man’s Christmas cracker jokes.
A Wonderful Family Experience
Watch the video below from last year to see what's in store!
PLEASE NOTE: Father Christmas will NOT be appearing during Steam Illuminations.
CAUTION: This event consists of many flashing lights, so it may be unsuitable for people suffering from epilepsy.
Tickets
Children
Under 2 Years*
FREE
Seating For 1**
£34
First Class for 1**
£42
Compartment for up to 6 people
£250
Important information about ticket types. Please read before purchasing tickets.
Purchase of Tickets
There are three types of tickets. Individual tickets (in a carriage), First Class individual tickets (in a First Class carriage) or compartment tickets. Compartments are for up to 6 people.
First Class tickets
First Class tickets give you:
– Seat in a First Class carriage
– Souvenir golden travel ticket!
– Express access (queue jump)
– Only opportunity to be pulled directly behind the locomotive
– Red carpet carriage entry (weather dependent)
ACCESSIBLE Carriage
We have a limited number of spaces in our accessible carriage on the trains that run from Alresford. There is no accessible access/seating on from Alton station.
If you require a space in an accessible carriage please contact our reservations manager on 01962 733810 or email reservations@watercressline.co.uk giving a phone number we can use to to call you back.
PRIORITY Tickets (Special Offer)
Special priced tickets have been made available to those who joined us for Steam Illuminations in 2024, a link to this offer was sent via email to all eligible customers. These are non-refundable, non-transferable and are not available for compartments or Saturday dates.
Purchase of Tickets
There are two types of tickets. Individual tickets (in a carriage), or compartment tickets. Compartments are for up to 6 people.
Flexibility
At a slightly higher price, we offer you the option of buying FLEXIBLE tickets that allow cancellation.
FLEXIBLE Tickets
If you book flexible tickets and give us a minimum of 3 working days notice before the date of your booking (by email to reservations@watercressline.co.uk), we will endeavour to move the booking to another date, time or starting station as requested.
If your booking was for a compartment, then we are unlikely to be able to offer a compartment on any revised date, but we may be able to offer seating in a different carriage. In this event, you will not be refunded the difference in price.
If you are unable to travel for any reason, tickets can be refunded with flexible upgrade with a minimum of 5 working days notice before the day of travel.
STANDARD Tickets
If you book standard tickets, then we cannot issue any refund if you are unable to travel.
If you give us a minimum of 3 working days notice before the date of your booking (by email to reservations@watercressline.co.uk), we will endeavour to move the booking to another date, time or starting station, depending on availability. This change will incur a £20 administration fee if we are able to amend the booking.
If your booking was for a compartment then we are unlikely to be able to offer a compartment on any revised date, but we may be able to offer seating in a different carriage. In this event you will not be refunded the difference in price.
ACCESSIBLE Carriage
We have a limited number of spaces in our accessible carriage on the trains that run from Alresford. There is no accessible access/seating on from Alton station.
If you require a space in an accessible carriage please contact our reservations manager on 01962 733810 or email reservations@watercressline.co.uk giving a phone number we can use to to call you back.
PRIORITY Tickets (Special Offer)
Special priced tickets have been made available to those who joined us for Steam Illuminations in 2023, a link to this offer was sent via email to all eligible customers. These are non-refundable, non-transferable and are not available for compartments or Saturday dates.
Our ticketing page will look different to normal as We are currently changing ticketing systems to improve your experience.
Please note:
* Children under 2 years of age are free as they will not be allocated a seat (they need to be sat on laps).
** Seating for 1, 2 or 3 people may be put on a table with others.
Our booking system allocates seats automatically. You do not need to select your seats manually. Standard coach seating is in tables of 4. Each booking will be auto allocated to the next available seats. Every effort is made to ensure groups are seated together. You may share a table with other passengers.
Trains depart from either Alresford or Alton. If these options are not showing when you choose a date, this means they are sold out for that day.
Accessible access is located at Alresford Station only. Please call us on 01962 733 810 to book.
If you are a group of 15+ people, please contact emma.morris@watercressline.co.uk to talk about available discounts.
Refreshments
Add our festive picnic boxes to your booking for an extra special experience!
Festive Picnic Boxes
Add a delightful Festive Picnic Box full of delicious picnic goodies to enhance your experience.
This can be purchased at the time of booking. These will be ready for collection twenty minutes prior to the train departure time.
An example of what the boxes will include:
Festive Picnic Box
Mini fruit & plain scone, jam & clotted cream, macarons, mini mince pie, lemon tart, bite size sausage roll, pork cranberry & stuffing pie, ham hock & pea terrine with rustic bread
£15.95 per person
Kids Festive Picnic Box
Ham, cheese, jam sandwich, apple or orange juice carton, festive gingerbread, raisins, Pom-Bear crisps, Christmas colouring and crayons
£6.25 per person
Also available to pre-order:
Mulled cider & mince pie
(gluten-free option available)
£8.50 per person
If someone is dairy or gluten intolerant please speak to our Reservations Manager on 01962 733810 or email reservations@watercressline.co.uk.
The Watercress Line reserves the right to change or substitute the contents of the Picnic Boxes if required.
Treat Box for 2 People
£25.00
Sold Out
Treat Box for 4 People
£45.00
Limited Stock
Drink Boxes
Pick your favourite from a selection of fabulous drinks boxes:
Local Ale Box (4x 500ml bottles & bottle opener) – £24
Fizz Box (4x 200ml bottles of Prosecco) – £25
Soft Drinks Box (sparkling clementine & cranberry and freshly squeezed lemonade, 75cl each) – £12
These will be ready for collection twenty minutes prior to the train departure time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Father Christmas be visiting children during this event?
No, Father Christmas will not be at Steam Illuminations, however if you would like to visit Father Christmas at The Watercress Line this is available on a different train. Please refer to our website (on sale shortly).
How long is the trip?
The train journey will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes, so please allow around two hours.
Do toddlers and babies need their own seats?
Under 2 year olds go free and will not be allocated a seat. Two year olds and above will need a seat.
Why can I not see the seating plan when I’m booking my tickets (on a mobile phone)?
If you are using a mobile phone to book tickets you need to turn the phone around so it is in a landscape orientation.
Can I bring my own food?
You can order one of our ‘Treat boxes’ when you book your ticket(s), purchase snacks from our outlets or bring your own food.
Can I buy refreshments on the day?
Yes, the West Country Buffet will be open at Alresford for takeaway hot and cold drinks and food (including a children’s menu), from 3pm to 8pm. At Alresford, find chalets selling hot drinks, snacks and souvenirs. The kiosk at Alton will be open for takeaway light refreshments and trains starting from Alton will have a drink bar onboard.
If I’ve ordered a ‘Festive Picnic Box', where do I pick it up from?
These boxes will be available to collect when you check in at Alresford or Alton station.
Are there any discounts available?
We provide discounts to groups of 15+ people.
If you are interested in bringing a group, please contact emma.morris@watercressline.co.uk.
Can I bring my dog?
Following advice from animal welfare charities, regrettably dogs are not allowed at this event, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Is the event accessible?
Yes, we have a limited number of accessible places on the trains which depart from Alresford Station.
If you are a passenger who uses a wheelchair and who cannot transfer to a conventional seat, please call our Reservations team on 01962 733810.
Do you have any quiet areas for visitors with sensory needs?
No, regrettably we do not have a quiet area.
Are toilets available on the train?
Yes, Toilets will be available on the train as well as at Alresford and Alton stations.
Will the Alresford gift shop be open?
The gift shop will be open until the last arrival.
Can I buy an individual ticket?
Yes.
What are First Class tickets?
First Class tickets include:
– Seat in a First Class carriage
– Souvenir golden travel ticket!
– Express access (queue jump)
– Only opportunity to be pulled directly behind the locomotive
– Red carpet carriage entry (weather dependent)
Is there a notice period for cancellations?
Please see section on ‘Important Information About Ticket Types’.
Have another question?
Please call 01962 733 810 or email reservations@watercressline.co.uk.
Parking
Alresford: Pay & display car park, operated by Winchester City Council. Disabled parking is available.
Alton: Pay & display car park, operated by South Western Railway. Cash or RingGo app location 77475. This car park is operated by South Western Railway.
Additional charged parking is located behind Waitrose (location code 801788). Operated by SiP Car Parks.
The company does not guarantee that the trains will arrive or depart at the times stated and reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice, or to substitute a different train should this be necessary for whatever reason.
