CTA Holiday Train

The train began on the Blue Line in 1992 when a “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” sign was placed on the front of an out-of-service train used to deliver food to various charities. Over the years this holiday tradition has evolved from its modest and humble beginnings to a spectacular joyous sight to see – in daytime or nighttime.

Today as the train pulls into each station Santa waves to riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.

Each car of the train is wrapped with holiday and 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.

Photos with Santa are back!

Make sure your camera and/or mobile devices are charged and ready as photos with Santa are back for another year. Riders and fans of the Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet will be able to partake in photo sessions with Santa on designated dates for both the festive bus and train (see schedules for more details).

Photos with Santa will be taken by a CTA employee using your device. Please have devices ready for use when it’s your turn with Santa. Photos are on a first-come first-served basis limit one photo set-up per family/group. Photo props will be available.

Train Schedule:

Green Line

Saturday November 30

Harlem/Lake: 1pm – 1:45pm

Ashland/63rd: 3:30pm – 4pm then departs without passengers

Cottage Grove: 4:40pm – 5:15pm​

Brown and Orange Lines

Saturday December 7

Kimball (Brown Line): 11:30am – 12:30pm

Midway (Orange Line): 2:30pm – 3:45pm

Pink Line

Saturday December 14

54th/Cermak (Pink Line): 12:30pm – 1:15pm then departs without passengers

Blue Line

Saturday December 14

Forest Park (Blue Line): 2:50pm – 3:45pm

O'Hare (Blue Line): 5:50pm – 7pm

Red and Purple Lines

Saturday December 21

Howard (Red Line): 11:15am – 12pm

95th (Red Line): 1:45pm – 2:30pm

Linden (Purple Line): 5pm – 6:15pm

*Note: For Detailed Schedule visit the website. The Allstate CTA Holiday Train will travel all rail lines beginning in late November through late December as part of regular rail service, making stops at all stations along the respective routes. Schedules for each rail line will vary. Normal CTA fares apply.

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