The Polar Express Clonakilty

Yes, booking in advance is essential. As we are running on a limited number of days, we strongly recommend booking early. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 21st September.

Yes, there is free parking for customers of the Model Village. The car park has car park attendants to ensure a smooth operation.

Groups start every 15 minutes. The experience will take 1 to 1.15 hours, after which families can explore The Village of Lights, outdoor activities and cafe. We suggest planning for a 2-hour visit; please keep this in mind when selecting your date and time.

On Thursday, 15th December, we will be running ASD-friendly booking times from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Santa experience will be dialled down for sound, lighting, visuals and have smaller capacity numbers. The experience will run every 30-minute schedule instead of 15 minutes. Staff will be on hand to support family members with moving through the experience. This time is for anyone who would enjoy a less busy and less-stimulating visit. Bookings should be made with the specific ASD Polar Express Booking Calendar above.

Yes, families will get lots of time with Santa and Mrs Claus! Santa’s train carriage will fit a maximum of 40 individuals, that’s about 8 families. Santa and Mrs Claus will engage with families together and have time to chat with each family individually too.

Yes, children will receive a present as part of the experience. Children can choose their present from a wide range of toys in Santa’s Toy Workshop.

Families can pose for a professional Christmas photo. Santa has lots of families and children to see, so we’re delighted that Envisage Photography is helping Santa to create three magical green screen backdrops. Before the event starts, three photographs will be taken of Santa around the Model Village, and the team at Envisage will use green screen technology to snap the family photos in front of these backdrops.

The event will feel different by day and night, and we think there are great positives to both! The train carriage decorations and the Model Village diggers and boats will be best in the daytime. The Magical Village of Lights and Christmas lighting around the site will be best at dusk and night-time.

There will be tea, coffee, hot chocolate, refreshments and snacks available on site. For more substantial items for lunch and dinner, we suggest looking at the many great eateries in Clonakilty town, which is under 10 minutes walk from the Model Village.

The experience takes place both indoors and outdoors. We advise rain-appropriate clothing and shoes. Dress warmly in layers, hats, and rain gear when necessary.

Yes, we provide bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and changing facilities.

The event is wheelchair accessible – the two Christmas carriages have ramps and operate with a one-way system. We provide wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and the road-train can accommodate one wheelchair per journey. The Village of Lights and all areas of the Model Village are wheelchair friendly.

We have partnered with the Clonakilty Park Hotel to offer a festive family getaway experience. Visit their website Clonakilty Park Hotel for all the details.

Yes, you can reschedule your booking, but only to an available timeslot – please contact us at bookings@modelvillage.ie with the details. We will do our best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee it.

Yes, you will be fully refunded if the event cannot go ahead. If the event cannot proceed for a particular day or days, for example, due to an extreme weather event with code red, you will receive a full refund.

We have a no-refund policy for cancellations. You can, however, freely transfer/give the booking to someone else as long as the attendee number stays the same. If you decide not to show, email bookings@modelvillage as there may be a family waiting list for your booked time – thank you!

If you need to add more individuals to your booking, please email bookings@modelvillage.ie, and we will endeavour to accommodate you.

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