How to get on the Santa Claus train?

The state-owned company "Russian Railways" decided to make an unusual but memorable gift for the youngest passengers. On the eve of the New Year, a festive train was launched-the residence of Santa Claus. The train will arrive at the station under the number "2023". Just think, he will stay on the road for more than two months and will travel 33 thousand km! Santa Claus will personally visit over a hundred Russian cities. Such a journey with the main wizard of winter will be remembered by every child. In addition, your child will be able to get on the "magic" train. But first, get acquainted with all the possibilities of this event.

What is the peculiarity of train No. 2023

The winter wizard will have a special train ― a mobile residence. The main magician, that is, Santa Claus, hails from Veliky Ustyug. It is this locality that will be the first to host the festive program. His assistant, granddaughter-the beautiful Snow Maiden, from Kostroma. The main characters have a wonderful team, which was assembled from different parts of the country.

The festive composition consists of several parts:

• the main reception of Santa Claus;
• a separate car for a variety of fun games, contests and quests;
• souvenir shop from the regions where Santa Claus and Snow Maiden come from;
• two dining cars where you can taste hearty Northern cuisine, fragrant tea and delicious treats.

When the festive train arrives in the city, an interesting festive program begins. Moreover, it can be either a short performance or a long celebration with a visit to the wagons and a tea party. 

When can I watch events

The Santa Claus train was launched on October 22. The first "departure point" and the city for festive events was Veliky Ustyug, the birthplace of the wizard. The final route is Kotlas-Yuzhny. The train will arrive in the Arkhangelsk region on January 14, 2023. There are over 100 cities between the first and the last point, that is, more than a hundred opportunities to please kids from all over the Russian Federation.

The festive train will be closer to the New Year holidays in such cities:

• December 24-25, Moscow (Belorussky Railway Station);
• December 26 — Smolensk;
• December 27 — Tver;
• December 28 — Velikiye Luki;
• December 30th — Pskov;
• December 31 — Veliky Novgorod;
• January 2 — Petrozavodsk:
• January 3 — Murmansk:
• January 5th — Vyborg:
• January 6-7 — New Peterhof:
• January 8th — Volkhovstroy and Tikhvin;
• January 9th — Cherepoven (Cherepoven-1 station);
• January 10 — Vologda (arrival at art. Vologda-1);
• January 11 — Danilov and Yaroslavl;
• January 12 — Ivanovo and Kovrov;
• January 13 — Kirov:
• January 14 — Kotlas-Yuzhny.

The exact schedule for each city should be viewed on the portal dedicated to this festive event. As part of the event, several 45-minute sessions are held, so it's worth buying tickets in advance.

What is included in the cultural program

In cities, winter celebrations may vary slightly. The organizers provide two types of programs.

1. Short.
2. Standard.

A short cultural program is held in those cities where parking is scheduled for less than two hours. Tickets for it are not for sale. The guests of the holiday will watch the festive performance absolutely free of charge. In addition, there is an opportunity to visit a car-shop with a photo compartment and a restaurant car. You don't need a ticket to visit them.

As for the standard program, it is held in cities where the mobile residence of Santa Claus costs more than two hours. To visit the festive train, you will definitely have to purchase a ticket. In 45 minutes (this is the duration of one session), the child will be able to have a good time with the animators, drink tea and get sweets. For an additional fee, you can take a souvenir photo with Santa Claus. For everyone, regardless of age, entrance to the car-shop and restaurant without restrictions. In the fabulous cafe, everyone will be able to taste delicious northern dishes from the small Homeland of Santa Claus.

The beginning and end of the festive event will be unchanged. When train No. 2023 arrives at the station, Santa Claus and his fabulous team go out on the platform and greet everyone gathered. A small event awaits them, which all guests can enjoy without exception. 

The general cultural program takes about 30 minutes. After communicating with the kids and adults, Santa Claus rises to his residence. At this time, the sessions of the standard program begin. After their completion, Grandfather will definitely come out on the platform to say goodbye to the guests and congratulate them on the Upcoming Year 2023.

Why it is worth buying tickets for the Santa Claus train

The main reason is the opportunity to please your child and immerse him in the atmosphere of a winter holiday. He will be able to personally meet Santa Claus and not only:

• participate in interesting quests;
• view the festively decorated carriages of the Fabulous Village
• chat with fairy-tale characters and Grandpa's assistants;
• drink fragrant tea with Grandma in Winter;
• get a sweet gift with postcards for your friends.

If desired, you can take a photo with Santa Claus. However, it is worth agreeing with the conductor in advance, because the service is paid separately. The photo is given to the child in a beautiful frame. Parents can take as many pictures as they want on their gadgets.

How to buy tickets

The sale of tickets for the senses will begin on the official website of Russian Railways exactly 30 days before the festive events in a particular city. In the fields you need to enter the personal data of the child. If suddenly you have issued tickets for yourself, be sure to correct the error. Admission to the residence is carried out after presentation of a ticket and a birth certificate. 

Keep in mind that not all children will be able to participate in the standard program. You can buy a ticket for a child aged 3 to 13 years.And up to six is possible only with an accompanying person. Children under 3 years old will not be able to participate in the entertainment program inside the residence. This is the position of the organizers. At the same time, a child older than 14 can be accompanied by a younger brother or sister, provided that he is from 3 to 6 years old. 

The ticket price depends on the age. There are only two tariffs:

• «Children with accompaniment» ― 2450 rubles;
• "Children's" ― 1950 rubles.

When buying tickets on the website, pay attention to some features. If you are going to purchase tickets, they are only booked for you for a period of 15 minutes. During this time, you need to enter the child's data and make the payment. Tickets will be sent by message to your mobile phone or email.

Important nuances

There are no discounts on the Santa Claus train, including for representatives of preferential categories. Similarly, it is impossible to take advantage of the capabilities of the "Pushkin Map". Tickets are paid in full.

If you do not have time to buy tickets on the website, you can try to get to the residence on the arrival date of the holiday train. If there are still seats, then it will be possible for the child to purchase a ticket right before the start of the session.

Buying tickets by hand is prohibited. You will not be able to cheat, because the controller will be able to establish the fact of unauthorized purchase of tickets at the entrance to the festive train. The organizers warn that the responsibility in this case will lie with the buyer of tickets.

The festive cultural program on train No. 2023 is a great opportunity to please your children. Do not deprive your child of the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. He will definitely remember such a winter adventure!