Full Breakdown
CPKC Holiday Train Returns to Chicago Area for 2026 Season
By Drooid · · How we work
Expanded Midwest Tour Highlights New Chicago-Suburban Stops
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train will travel across North America again this year, adding more Midwest stops than in 2025. In the 2026 holiday season the train is scheduled to visit three Chicago suburbs, with the first two appearances occurring the week of Thanksgiving. The November 23 stop is at the south side of Ruby Street Railway Crossing in Franklin Park, and the November 24 stop is at Village Hall in Pingree Grove. Both dates feature live performances by the groups Magic! and MARIS.
Background and Growth of the Tradition
Since its inception, the Holiday Train has become a seasonal fixture, stopping in communities throughout Canada and the United States. According to the 2026 announcement, the train will visit 182 communities across the two countries. In 2025 the train made only two stops in Chicago suburbs; the expanded 2026 itinerary reflects a broader outreach effort.
Early-December Community Visits
Following the Thanksgiving-week appearances, the train will continue its route in early December, stopping in Gurnee, Illinois, and a series of Wisconsin towns including Sturtevant, Caledonia, Wauwatosa, Hartland, Oconomowoc, Watertown, Columbus, Portage, and Wisconsin Dells. Each location will feature a brief performance, with Allen Stone slated to play in Gurnee.
Community Impact and Official Remarks
The Holiday Train’s primary charitable goal is to support local food banks. Organizers are urging visitors to bring cash donations or non-perishable food items. The train’s presence is expected to draw crowds, prompting local officials to advise residents to plan ahead for traffic and dress for cold weather.
