The holiday spirit is set to chug into the Chicago area with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train and the sale of Metra's popular Holiday Train tickets. Residents can look forward to the decked-out trains bringing merriment and live music while participating in community charity efforts.
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City 2025 Holiday Train is steaming into its 27th year, heralding the festive season with a schedule beginning on Nov. 19 and running through Dec. 21. The train, adorned with dazzling lights and offering free musical performances, aims to gather donations and raise awareness for local food banks. According to a release obtained by NBC Chicago, the journey starts in Quebec, with the first U.S. appearance slated for Hermon, Maine ,on Nov. 22, before it makes its way to several states, including Illinois.
The festal lineup features performances by bands such as Barenaked Ladies, Smash Mouth, American Authors, and others, bringing together communities in the shared joy of the season while contributing to an important cause. "We are thrilled to send this beautiful train filled with lights and music to spread the joy of the season," CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel told NBC Chicago. Stops in the Chicago area include Franklin Park and Gurnee, with performance details and schedules available online.
Concurrently, Metra has also launched the sale of its own Holiday Train tickets, which began at noon on Monday. Serving as a transportive yuletide experience with holiday characters, the trains run across five rail lines and include a North Pole winter wonderland feature at Millennium Station. "It’s our way to spread a little holiday joy and thank our riders for making Metra part of their lives all year," Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski stated in an article published by WGN-TV. The Holiday Trains are expected to fill up quickly, with a five-ticket per purchase limitation, further underscoring the event’s immense popularity.
Those hoping to secure a spot on Metra's Holiday Trains are advised to act swiftly, with tickets available through their online store and expected to be a sell-out affair. For full schedules and more details about the musical acts on the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, or for purchasing Metra Holiday Train tickets, citizens can visit their respective websites.
