CPKC Holiday Train Returns for the 2025 Season

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train (CPKC) returns for the 2025 season with free concerts, support for community food banks and a mission to spread joy across the country. This special train, which has become a local tradition, will cover 13 US states in the CPKC network, including the Chicago area, during its journey from November 19 to December 21. This public service and festive event is considered a seasonal feast in the world of rail transportation.

Nationwide Comprehensive Route and Social Responsibility

The 2025 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train runs center around fundraising and food collection events for community food banks along its route. There will also be 196 live performances at the free event.

In this year’s program, well-known artists such as Barenaked Ladies, Smash Mouth, American Authors, JJ Wilde and Pynk Beard will perform at different stops. The train will start its journey from Quebec, Canada and November 22It will arrive at its first US stop in Hermon, Maine, in . From here it will move towards Illinois, Iowa, New York, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and other states.

This season, a new light show is also being introduced in honor of “Rudy,” the retired Kansas City Southern Holiday Express train that operated throughout the southern United States for nearly a quarter-century. CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel sees this train as a source of pride for railroaders and an important tradition that brings communities together to celebrate the holidays and support people experiencing food insecurity.

Chicago and Wisconsin Area Stops

First appearance of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train for the Chicago area November 23Between 17:30 and 18:00 in Illinois, Franklin ParkIt will take place in . At this stop, live performances will be performed by Smash Mouth and JJ Wilde.

Train, 9 Decemberin Illinois GurneeAfter stopping by, he will pass on to Wisconsin and, respectively, SturtevantAnd caledoniaIt will stop at . 10 Decemberif in wauwatosaHe will perform in . These Wisconsin and Gurnee stops will be performed by American Authors and Pynk Beard.

This season for train enthusiasts and families in the Chicago area, Metra Holiday TrainAnd Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)Other seasonal services, such as holiday trains and buses, will also return, allowing holiday trips to be combined with day trips.