Caltrain's Holiday Train is gearing up to roll through the San Francisco Peninsula on December 2 and 3, bringing a cascade of 75,000 twinkling lights and a sleigh full of joy to both kids and adults alike. According to information released on Caltrain's website, the train's annual journey is much more than a spectacle of lights; it's a charity drive aimed at lighting up the lives of local children in need.
ICYMI: Holiday Train is back this weekend December 2-3!
— Caltrain (@Caltrain) November 27, 2023
Get your holiday cheer ready, we can't wait to see you! Scheduled stops and more information can be found https://t.co/8taOTqMECG. #HolidayTrain2023
In what's become a beloved tradition, the Holiday Train will be accepting donations of new toys and books, striving to make the holidays a bit merrier for families struggling to make ends meet—glittering with pride in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and The Salvation Army. As the train makes its anticipated stops across San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, families are invited to take part in this festivity, which will feature carolers, the Salvation Army Christmas Brass Ensemble, and visits from Santa and his charming company. Trying to capture the perfect holiday snapshot, kids and parents alike can pose with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and that beloved red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph.
Free entertainment will abound at each station stop before the train's arrival, offering families a chance to soak up the seasonal ambiance. Meanwhile, Holiday Train ambassadors will serenade visitors into a charitably festive mood, directing them to donation bins and offering special giveaways as Santa and company get off the train to greet the eagerly waiting children.
For those members of the press wanting the scoop on this event, an early access media preview will unfold on December 1 from 5:00-7:00 a.m. RSVPs are being corralled through an email to [email protected] for this special preview. Carolers and costumed characters will be in full regalia, eagerly awaiting to spread holiday spirit to the early birds among the press.
Onlookers are encouraged by Caltrain to capture the magic of the Holiday Train on camera and share their festive snapshots on social media platforms. By tagging @Caltrain and using the hashtag #HolidayTrain2023, event-goers can join the digital chorus of holiday cheer. As the article on Caltrain's website notes, this grand tradition is made possible by a variety of sponsors, including KOIT, Jim's Handyman Services, Peterson Technical Services, and other local businesses committed to decking the halls of the Peninsula’s Caltrain stations.
