It’s finally Holiday Train time! Thousands of families make it part of their annual holiday tradition to catch the truly one-of-a-kind trip on the L and just in time for the holiday, the Chicago Transit Authority has announced this year’s schedule for Santa’s very special sleigh and reindeer.
This year, on every Saturday the Holiday Train takes Santa and families around the city, the Jewel-Osco CTA Elves' Workshop Train follows to make sure everyone gets to ride.
Both trains are wrapped with a winter holiday scene and colored lights. Car interiors are decked out with bows, garland, red and green lighting. Hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes and CTA employees pass out candy canes while holiday tunes blare in the background.
The Holiday Bus, wrapped to look like Ralphie the Reindeer, also will travel bus route Nov. 28-Dec. 23. Check here for the routes to catch the bus, but you'll have no trouble spotting its 3-D antlers and a ruby light affixed to the front. Inside, you’ll find lights and one-of-a-kind artwork by students from Skinner West Elementary. And in the very back? Santa and his workshop.
The Holiday Train tradition began in 1992 when a Season's Greetings sign was placed on the front of an out-of-service O'Hare train that was used to deliver food to charities. A flatcar with Santa and his reindeer was added in 1995. As the Holiday Train grew in popularity, the schedules expanded to run more frequently during December on all eight lines. It still delivers food baskets to Chicago charities today.
The Holiday Train generally operates about 1-8 p.m. on weekends and 3-7 p.m. on select weekdays and will make stops at all stations along the routes.
When to catch the train
- Green Line: Nov. 24-25 and 28; Photos with Santa Nov. 25
- Orange Line: Nov. 24, Nov. 28-Dec. 2; Photos with Santa Dec. 2
- Brown Line: Nov. 29-Dec. 2; Photos with Santa Dec. 2
- Pink Line: Dec. 5-6; Photos with Santa Dec. 9
- Red Line: Dec. 12, Dec. 14, Dec. 16; Photos with Santa Dec. 16
- Purple Line: Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 21; Photos with Santa Dec. 16
- Yellow Line: Dec. 22
The CTA schedule can be found here.
If you go
The CTA offers the following tips to families taking part in the Holiday Train tradition for the first time:
Travel light. The cars get crowded. The CTA suggests that families use collapsible strollers.
Boarding. Because the train will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line, the CTA recommends that families board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Note that rail cars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately adjacent to Santa's sleigh.
Taking photos. The Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to stay on schedule, so it can't dwell in stations. Don't miss your opportunity to board because you are trying to grab a photo! Board the train first and then take photos of Santa or the train when exiting at your destination.
Photos with Santa. On select Saturdays, families can take photos with Santa at rail line terminals. Check the website for dates and specific times.
Find the train. Download the CTA Train Tracker to track the Holiday Train. Normal CTA fares apply for both the trains and bus.
