Winter is fast approaching here in the Prairie State. While those who celebrate Christmas often look to the skies for Santa’s sleigh, the official sign that the holiday is here, there’s another place we could be looking: to the tracks. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will visit four locations in Illinois this year, kicking off the holiday season with a little pre-Christmas sparkle. Starting Nov. 20, the 14-car train will make its way from Canada to the United States, lighting up the landscape in a cheerful glow. If you want to catch the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois, here are all the times, dates, and places you need to know.

First, for those who may be unfamiliar, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is a 1,000-foot locomotive covered front to back with lights, wreaths, and fun displays. It travels the Canadian Pacific Kansas City line, stopping at towns and cities all along the way.
CPKC
Experiencing the train is completely free, however, its main mission is to inspire residents across both countries to make monetary or food-related donations at their local pantries. Once the train comes to a safe stop at its scheduled visit, the train will open and reveal a band on a stage, which will perform music.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois
chaddavis.photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Then, a representative from a local food pantry will come on stage to raise awareness among the audience. There will be on-site collections also taking place, so feel free to bring your donation directly to the train! From there, the holiday party continues with more music and light shows.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois
CPKC

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This year, the holiday train is making its first Illinois stop in Bensenville on Nov. 25. It will roll in around 6:45 p.m. and stop at the park adjacent to the intersection of Railroad Avenue and South York Street. The event will take place from 7-7:30 p.m.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois
Visit Mason City Iowa/Facebook
Then, on Nov. 26, the train will make a daytime stop in Pingree Grove at 8:45 a.m. in front of Village Hall at Railroad Street and Reinking Road. The performance will last from 9-9:30 a.m. before the engine rolls away to Byron. In Byron, the train is due to arrive around 11:45 p.m. at Tower Road near the high school. Families can enjoy the train from 12-12:30 p.m.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois
CPKC
Finally, it will make its last stop in Illinois in Gurnee on Dec. 3 at about 5:10 p.m. in front of Viking Middle School on Old Grand Avenue. Catch the performance there between 5:15-5:40 p.m.
Teles, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

 

If you’re ready to be dazzled by the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Illinois, then head to the CPKC website and the CPKC Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all things holiday train-related. By the way, it’s going to be cold! Illinoisans already know to bundle up, but I always recommend going the extra mile and bringing a hot beverage with them, especially for an event that doesn’t require a lot of movement. These classic Christmas movie-inspired tumblers are perfect for keeping you nice and toasty with hot chocolate or cider.

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