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.
Event Venue
CTA Holiday Train, Chicago, United States