(Minnesota) — December 10th, 2024 — All aboard! The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is set to stop in 20 Minnesota towns this December, bringing live entertainment and Christmas cheer in exchange for donations to local food banks. This annual tradition has become a beloved event, lighting up the winter nights with its festive spirit.
The Holiday Train stretches about 1,000 feet in length and features 14 brightly decorated rail cars. Each car is adorned with hundreds of thousands of LEDs and holiday designs, celebrating the season of giving. The train’s dazzling lights and joyful atmosphere make it a spectacular sight to behold.
Depending on the day, visitors can enjoy free musical performances by artists such as The Lone Bellow and Tiera Kennedy, or Seaforth and Alana Springsteen. These performances add an extra layer of festive fun, making the Holiday Train a perfect outing for families and friends. Any food or cash donations collected at the stops will directly benefit the local community, supporting those in need during the holiday season.
Please note, visitors don’t actually get to ride the Holiday Train. Instead, it’s more of a pop-up concert experience. According to Canadian Pacific’s FAQ, “A typical Holiday Train event goes something like this: The train arrives and pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd. The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song, followed by a brief presentation with local food bank officials and other dignitaries on stage. Once the presentation is done, the band resumes the show, singing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs, and popular original songs. After the final song, the boxcar door closes and the train is on its way to the next stop.”
For additional information regarding the event, please visit the Canadian Pacific website. Below is Minnesota’s preliminary itinerary, including arrival times, dates, and destinations. Please note that times are subject to change.
Holiday Train 2024 Schedule:
- 12/10 La Crescent at 215 South Chestnut Street (2:15 p.m.)
- 12/10 Winona at 65 East Mark Street (3:45 p.m.)
- 12/10 Wabasha at Bruegger Park (5:45 p.m.)
- 12/10 Hastings at 500 East Second Street (8:15 p.m.)
- 12/11 Cottage Grove at 7064 West Point Douglas Road (5:15 p.m.)
- 12/11 St. Paul at Union Depot (7 p.m.)
- 12/12 Golden Valley at Golden Hills Drive (5 p.m.)
- 12/12 St. Louis Park at Lake Street & Library Lane (6:15 p.m.)
- 12/12 Minneapolis at 37 Avenue & Stinson Boulevard (8:15 p.m.)
- 12/14 Loretto at Road 19 (4:30 p.m.)
- 12/14 Buffalo at 5 Street Northeast (6 p.m.)
- 12/14 Annandale at Downtown Park (7:30 p.m.)
- 12/15 Glenwood at 20 15 Street Northeast (10:15 a.m.)
- 12/15 Alexandria at 8 Avenue & Nokomis (11:45 a.m.)
- 12/15 Detroit Lakes at Holmes Community Center (2:45 p.m.)
- 12/15 Mahnomen at US 59 & East Washington Avenue (4:20 p.m.)
- 12/15 Plummer at Central Avenue (6:15 p.m.)
- 12/15 Thief River Falls at 405 3 Street East (7:45 p.m.)
- 12/16 Elbow Lake at US State Highway 59 (4:30 p.m.)
Gather around the CP Holiday Train at one of its many stops in Minnesota, and enjoy the festive performances while supporting local food banks.