All aboard the train to Santa

Will you help Noodle the Elf find his magic dust? Well you just might get to meet Santa if you do…

A new Christmas experience called The Forest Train has opened in Avondale Forest Park. Your family can travel through a beautiful winter wonderland on Toots the Train, as he rides through the breath-taking mature forest park.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Noodle the Lazy Elf who is running late for work! If you spot him, wave hello – he’s lost his magic dust somewhere in the woods and needs some help to find it. This little guy needs to catch the train and get to the workshop with the magic dust in time or Santa won’t be able to deliver his toys!

When Toots the Train reaches his final stop, Noodle will lead you all to the secret workshop to say thank you for helping him – but only if you promise not to tell Santa it was him!

The elves will be really busy making and testing Christmas toys but they always have time for a song and of course, there will be plenty of stories to hear and toys to test.

After the Elf Floor Manager greets everyone and show them around the workshop, Santa will meet with each family individually. He’ll look everyone up in his Big Book and may even surprise you with a few facts about yourself!

After meeting with Santa every child will receive a wooden themed gift and can even get a special photo taken with the man in red. A Christmas Market is held in the rustic stone barn at Avondale where families can enjoy a range of food, beverages, crafts and gift stalls..

The Forest Train is open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 27th until Christmas Eve. Tickets cost €15 per child and €10 per adult, with all children under 1 year at €5, and can be booked at www.theforesttrain.ie.

The Forest Train will donate a percentage of ticket sales to Barnardos, which will be matched by Coillte, managers of Avondale Forest Park. Visitors can donate coins at the Barnardos Wishing Well, and can even take a selfie Elfie with Noodle the Elf and text NOODLE to 50300 to make a €2 donation to the charity.