Christmas Matic Express is a popular event and activity that takes place during the holiday season. It is an experience where participants, both young and old, can enjoy a festive train ride and immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Matic Express usually operates on a historic or scenic railway route, decorated with vibrant lights, ornaments, and holiday-themed decorations. The train cars are often adorned with traditional Christmas characters such as Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowmen, creating a whimsical atmosphere for all passengers. During the ride, participants can enjoy various forms of entertainment, such as live music performances, carol singing, and storytelling. Some Christmas Matic Express events also feature visits from Santa Claus himself, allowing children to meet and interact with the jolly old man in red.
Marisha Wallace
Singer and actor Marisha Wallace is a Broadway and West End sensation, best known for starring in Something Rotten, Dreamgirls and Waitress. A multi-talented performer Marisha was born and raised in North Carolina and has performed at Royal Variety Show 2020, starred in Netflix show Feel Good and topped the music charts with her cover of Annie’s Tomorrow.
Roachford Roachford has become one of the most compelling and consistent rock and soul artists the UK has produced, since Cuddly Toy a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades reached number four in the charts back in 1988. Tom Chaplin Five albums fronting Keane have taken the singer and songwriter round the world, to the top of the UK charts four consecutive times , to the winner s podium at the Brit Awards twice, for 2004 debut Hopes and Fears , and to centre-stage on some of the world s greatest venues.
Some Christmas Matic Express events also feature visits from Santa Claus himself, allowing children to meet and interact with the jolly old man in red. To add to the experience, passengers are often served holiday treats and refreshments on board. These may include hot cocoa, cookies, and candies, further enhancing the festive ambiance.
Magic of Christmas
FINAL CURTAIN CALL
This show is no longer running.
Magic of Christmas with Holiday Inn Express is the event that signals the start of the festive period with a celebration of live music like no other. This year’s highly anticipated event from Magic Radio, the UK’s favourite radio station for more of the songs you love, will see the event entertaining even more Christmas fans with a matinee performance at 2.30pm followed by an evening performance at 7.30pm.
Joining your host, Magic Radio’s Breakfast presenter Harriet Scott, for the matinee performance are Beverley Knight, Blue, George Ezra, Lemar, Marisha Wallace and Roachford.
Joining your host, Magic Radio’s Emma B, for the evening performance are Heather Small, Marisha Wallace, Mark Owen, Paloma Faith and Tom Chaplin.
Listen to Magic Radio Breakfast with Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott for all the news on the Magic of Christmas on Smart Speaker, App, Digital Radio across the UK and in London on 105.4FM.
Matinee Performance
Beverley Knight
Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight has been one of the UK’s most consistent artists for over two decades, scoring several Top 10 albums, one of which went platinum, and has racked up over a million albums sold in the UK, including four gold certified albums. Beverley was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2007 for services to British music and charity, has won three MOBO Awards, and been nominated for Best Female at the Brit Awards three times as well as for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Blue
Blue are one of the most successful British bands of the past 2 decades. Formed in London in 2000, the four-piece have sold a phenomenal 16 million records, 11 UK top 10 hits, including 3 #1’s, collaborated with some of the world’s biggest stars including Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Lil Kim, represented the UK at Eurovision and won numerous awards including two prestigious BRITs for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Pop Act.
George Ezra
Hertfordshire-born George Ezra, made his first appearance on stage at the age of 13. By the time he was 21, he had signed a record deal with Columbia but truly burst onto the scene in the summer of 2014 when his single Budapest reached No.3 in the UK. His debut album Wanted On Voyage reached No.1 on the UK albums chart and went four times platinum, becoming the third best-selling album of that year. Ezra’s follow-up album Staying At Tamara’s was released in March 2018 and featured the top 10 singles Paradise, Shotgun and Hold My Girl. Like its predecessor, Staying At Tamara’s reached No.1 on the UK album charts plus became the second biggest album of the year. In 2019 he also took home his first BRIT Award for British Male Solo Artist.
Lemar
Singer, songwriter Lemar has released seven studio albums, and released ten top 20 singles including ‘Dance (With U), ‘50/50’ and ‘If There’s Any Justice’. A Grammy nominee, double Brit Award winner and triple MOBO Award winner, Lemar is currently recording his 8th studio album.
Lemar has also made appearances in a number of films, those include Jay Cocks’ DeLovely (2004), starring Ashley Judd and Kevin Klein. The lead role of Danny Kilman in Sky Cinemas ‘Little Darlings (2022) among others. Lemar also presents a show on Magic Soul Radio.
Marisha Wallace
Singer and actor Marisha Wallace is a Broadway and West End sensation, best known for starring in Something Rotten, Dreamgirls and Waitress. A multi-talented performer Marisha was born and raised in North Carolina and has performed at Royal Variety Show 2020, starred in Netflix show Feel Good and topped the music charts with her cover of Annie’s Tomorrow.
Roachford
Roachford has become one of the most compelling and consistent rock and soul artists the UK has produced, since Cuddly Toy (a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades) reached number four in the charts back in 1988. He has released 10 studio albums and several greatest hits collections, been sought-after as a songwriter by the likes of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan, and consistently toured on his own and with contemporaries including Terence Trent D’Arby and The Christians. In 2019, Roachford received an MBE for Services to Music.
Evening Performance
Heather Small
Heather Small is best known as the voice of M People releasing smash hits including ‘Moving on Up’ ‘One Night in Heaven’ and ‘Search for the Hero’ and albums like Elegant Slumming, Bizarre Fruit and Fresco achieving massive worldwide success.
Heather became one of the seminal British voices of the 1990s, with the band winning the Best British Dance Act Award at the Brits in 1994 and 1995, as well as the Mercury Music Prize. Heather has since had great successes with two solo albums – the title track of her ‘Proud’ album has gone on to become the soundtrack to a whole host of very special events including London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid & the 60th anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square.
James Morrison
At the age of sixteen James Morrison fronted a covers band with a repertoire of classics from the Sixties and Seventies, playing five nights a week to packed pubs. From then on the rest was history as he racked up five top 10 singles including breakthrough smash You Give Me Something’ and ‘Wonderful World’, plus the huge Nelly Furtado collab ‘Broken Strings’. Now with 5 studio Albums Morrison has over7 million worldwide record sales, over 500 live shows under his belt as well as a BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist.
Marisha Wallace
Singer and actor Marisha Wallace is a Broadway and West End sensation, best known for starring in Something Rotten, Dreamgirls and Waitress. A multi-talented performer Marisha was born and raised in North Carolina and has performed at Royal Variety Show 2020, starred in Netflix show Feel Good and topped the music charts with her cover of Annie’s Tomorrow.
Mark Owen
Mark Owen is one of Britain’s most celebrated music stars. As part of pop group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards, scored 12 UK No.1 singles, eight UK No.1 albums, sold over 45 million records and played live to millions of fans around the world. He released his first solo album, Green Man, after Take That first split in 1996 and, since then, he has released a further four solo albums
Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actor & TV personality. She is one of the UK’s best-loved music artists and has released five critically acclaimed platinum selling albums.
As well as collecting dozens of awards in the last decade, including a BRIT Award and No. 1 album, Paloma has played her part in developing the nation’s music talent by being a judge on The Voice UK and The Voice Kids
Tom Chaplin
Five albums fronting Keane have taken the singer and songwriter round the world, to the top of the UK charts (four consecutive times ), to the winner’s podium at the Brit Awards (twice, for 2004 debut Hopes and Fears), and to centre-stage on some of the world’s greatest venues.
As a solo artist, too, he’s enjoyed success away from what was his arena-filling day job: 2016’s The Wave was a silver-selling Number Three hit album. It was swiftly followed a year later by Twelve Tales of Christmas, which featured eight Chaplin originals alongside inspired covers of festive standards old-ish (Walking In The Air, River) and newer (2000 Miles and Stay Another Day) and now Tom Chaplin’s third studio album Midpoint where the musician presents all of himself: as a writer, a singer, a husband, a world-beating artist with a past (and all the ups and downs that come with it) – and as a middle-aged man.
EVENT INFORMATION
TICKETS
Prices displayed include an online per ticket booking fee. All prices include a £1.70 restoration levy.
Matinee Performance – 2:30pm
Beverley Knight, Blue, George Ezra, Lemar, Marisha Wallace, Roachford
13:30 Doors
14:30 Act One
15:30 Interval
15:50 Act Two
17:00 Show ends
Evening Performance – 7:30pm
Heather Small, Marisha Wallace, Mark Owen, Paloma Faith, Tom Chaplin
18:30 Doors
19:30 Act One
20:30 Interval
20:50 Act Two
22:00 Show ends
James Morrison
At the age of sixteen James Morrison fronted a covers band with a repertoire of classics from the Sixties and Seventies, playing five nights a week to packed pubs. From then on the rest was history as he racked up five top 10 singles including breakthrough smash You Give Me Something’ and ‘Wonderful World’, plus the huge Nelly Furtado collab ‘Broken Strings’. Now with 5 studio Albums Morrison has over7 million worldwide record sales, over 500 live shows under his belt as well as a BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist.
The Christmas Matic Express is not only a fun-filled activity for families and friends but also serves as a source of community engagement and unity. It brings people together, fostering a sense of holiday cheer and spreading joy among those who participate. In addition to the train ride itself, many Christmas Matic Express events also offer additional attractions and activities at the train station or surrounding area. These may include Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, holiday light displays, and even visits to Santa's workshop. Overall, the Christmas Matic Express provides a unique and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season. Whether it's taking a ride with loved ones, singing along to Christmas carols, or meeting Santa Claus, this event allows people to make lasting memories and embrace the magic of Christmas..
Reviews for "Discover the magic of the holiday season on the express train"
1. Amy - 1 out of 5 stars - I was highly disappointed with "Christmas Matic Express". The acting was subpar, and the plot was completely predictable. I felt like I had seen the same movie a hundred times before. The characters were dull and lacked any depth, making it impossible for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the movie tedious and boring. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars - Unfortunately, "Christmas Matic Express" didn't live up to my expectations. The storyline seemed promising, but it quickly fell flat. The dialogue was cheesy, and the acting felt forced. I found it difficult to stay engaged throughout the entire movie. While there were some heartwarming moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the film. I wouldn't necessarily say it's the worst Christmas movie ever, but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it again.
3. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - "Christmas Matic Express" was a complete letdown for me. The plot lacked originality and the characters were incredibly bland. It felt like a generic made-for-TV movie that had nothing new to offer. The humor fell flat, and the romance was so predictable it was almost painful to watch. I was hoping for a heartwarming Christmas film, but instead, I got a cliche and uninspiring movie. I would recommend skipping this one and finding something more enjoyable to watch during the holiday season.