Here's How To Find The CTA Holiday Train
By Kate Shepherd in News on Nov 23, 2015 11:00PM
(Santa heads for the loop by yooperann)
Now you know the holidays are officially on the way: the Christkindlmarket is open, the Magnificent Mile lights are on and the city is lighting its official Christmas tree in Millennium Park tomorrow.
That means it's also time for one of our other favorite traditions, the CTA Holiday Train. It made its first run on the Red Line on Saturday but Santa and his reindeer will be back to drive the train after Thanksgiving until Dec. 23, according to the schedule released by the CTA:
- Green Line: Nov. 27 & 28, Dec. 1
- Orange & Brown Line: Dec. 2-5
- Pink Line: Dec. 8 & 9
- Blue Line: Dec. 10-12
- Red Line: Dec. 15, 17, 19
- Purple Line: Dec. 16, 18, 19, 22
- Yellow Line: Dec. 23
The times of departure will be announced on the CTA's site as they become available.
If you've never been on one, it's a great experience. It's the friendliest train ride of the year with Santa waving to the passengers at each station. The outside of the six-car train is adorned with holiday images and thousands of lights outline the shape of the train and windows. The inside of the cars are decorated with lights, bows, garlands and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles even look like candy canes.
Check out this video from last year for the full effect:
and don't miss the CTA's holiday bus, which just debuted last year. The schedule is on the CTA's website.