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Chicago Holiday Train

JenOfChicago by JenOfChicago

Chicago's Holiday Train


Get on the Holiday Train! The Chicago Transit Authority operates Santa's Holiday Train every year, taking tourists and locals alike around the city and spreading a bit of seasonal cheer! If you are a Chicago local or if you're visiting from out of town, the CTA Holiday Train is a great and inexpensive way to see the city!

Santa Claus is coming to town - riding the CTA

Information from The CTA website

The Chicago Transit Authority is getting into the holiday spirit with the popular Holiday Train. Santa and his elves will ride the train passing out candy canes and season's greetings.

The spectacular train is an amazing sight - during the daytime and at night. The outside of the six-car train is adorned with holiday seasonal images. Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars.

Interiors of the cars are decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes.

As the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to the boarding passengers from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar that carries his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.

The Holiday Train will travel all CTA rail lines in November and December as part of regular rail service. Normal CTA fares apply.

The train operates from approximately 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on select weekdays (schedules for each individual line will vary), and will make stops at all stations along the respective routes.

2011 Schedule!

For specific times, check the CTA website where they will be posted as the dates get closer. In the meantime watch the videos and look at the photos below to get your fix of the Santa train!

Green Line & Orange Line November 25 - Friday
Green Line November 26 - Saturday
Green Line & Orange Line November 30 - Wednesday
Orange Line & Brown Line December 1 - Thursday
Orange Line & Brown Line December 2 - Friday
Orange Line & Brown Line December 3 - Saturday
Pink Line December 7 - Wednesday
Blue Line December 8 - Thursday
Blue Line December 9 - Friday
Blue Line December 10 - Saturday
Red Line December 14 - Wednesday
Purple Line December 15 - Thursday
Red Line December 16 - Friday
Red Line & Purple Line December 17 - Saturday
Red Line December 20 - Tuesday
Purple Line December 21 - Wednesday
Yellow Line December 22 - Thursday

What's Santa doing riding on the El Train?

Santa's Limousine




Santa Claus Brings Holiday Train to Chicago
While his reindeers are busy practicing their flying for Christmas Eve, Santa Claus and his elves have to find another way to get around town! Read more about the Holiday Train!

Holiday Train On Flickr

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The Holiday Train In The News

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Holiday Train Video

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How about some Chicago Christmas decorations?

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Have you seen the Holiday Train? Share your stories!

  • Tipi Mar 14, 2012 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    I would love to see it, how cool is that! :)
  • bejeezers Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:20 pm | delete
    Looks like great fun.
  • Cinnamonbite Dec 22, 2011 @ 9:06 am | delete
    I had no idea! Unfortunately, I'm visiting Chicago in May next year so I'll totally miss it, but I will be catching a train once I get there to go West.
  • bikerministry Dec 19, 2011 @ 7:31 pm | delete
    Awesome, I love trains. What a great theme idea. Blessings.
  • SereneSea Dec 8, 2011 @ 7:09 am | delete
    Awesome train journey for holidays, Chicago train looks fun to ride.
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JenOfChicago

I'm a proud Chicagoan, and I enjoy writing about Chicago first and foremost. I am also interested in politics, public leaders, non-profits, volunteering,... more »

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