Neighborhood News: All Aboard! Celebrating the holidays on the CTA
“This is North and Clybourn,” announces a man over the PA speakers as the train approaches that station. “Welcome aboard with Santa Claus and his elves.”
Life in Chicago Blog, 11/25/08
Every year, Chicago’s public transportation system goes all-out for the holidays!
Instead of just riding into and out of the city, the CTA’s Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow and Brown Lines, as well as the CTA Holiday Bus, pull out all the stops for a merry holiday experience!
Welcome to November and December’s Holiday CTA Trains and Bus!
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CTA Holiday Train History: A Charitable Past and Present
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 evolved from its modest and humble beginnings to a spectacular, joyous sight to see – in daytime or nighttime.
Today
You’ll see the holiday train as Santa waves to riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.
In 2025, the CTA Holiday Trains begin service on Friday, November 28. Normal CTA fares apply.
As Wikipedia describes it, six cars are adorned with seasonal decorations and bright lights. The interior of these cars are adorned with multi-color lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are transformed into (inedible) candy canes. Santa Claus rides on an open-air flatcar and waves to the passengers coming aboard from his sleigh.
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.
And the festively decorated trains serve two very important purposes: to deliver joy and the holiday spirit to thousands of riders and ALSO …to deliver food baskets to various charitable agencies throughout the city.
In the true spirit of the season, they’ll donate approximately 400 food baskets to local community organizations.
Each food basket contains all the preparations for a festive holiday meal, including a canned ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, muffin mix, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail, green beans, corn and dessert.
Fun for the Kids!
Photos with Santa will be taken by a “Santa’s Helper’ (CTA employee) using your device (iPhone, Android, Camera.)
Photos are on a first-come, first-served basis, limit one photo set-up per family/group. Photo props will be available.
A request: The CTA asks riders to please have devices ready for use when it’s your turn with Santa.
NOTE: Every effort is made to accommodate those lined-up for photos; however, there is a firm-cut-off time to ensure the CTA Holiday Bus/Train depart and remain on schedule. See the CTA’s on-site staff for more information.
Holiday Train Schedule
Green Line
Green Line & Photos with Santa: Saturday, November 29 Green Line 📷
Departing: Harlem/Lake to Ashland/63rd at 2:32pm
Cottage Grove to Harlem/Lake at 5:47pm
Brown and Orange Lines
Orange Line & Brown Line & Photos with Santa: Saturday December 6 📷
- Departing: Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 1:13pm.
- Midway toward Loop, then Kimball at 4:21pm.
- Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 5:50pm.
Blue Line
Blue Line & Pink Line & Photos with Santa: Saturday, December 13 📷
Forest Park (Blue Line): 2:45pm to 3:40pm
O’Hare (Blue Line): 5:45pm to 6:45pm
Red and Purple Lines & Photos with Santa Saturday, December 20 📷
Departing:
- Howard to 95th/Dan Ryan at 12:36
- 95th/Dan Ryan to Linden at 3:21
- Linden to Howard at 6:51Saturday, December 20
Howard (Red Line): 11:15am to 12pm
For a complete schedule, as well as the CTA bus schedule, click here. As the holidays come closer, a special holiday tracker will keep track of all holiday trains and buses .
The CTA Holiday Bus History and Today
Day or night, the commutes of thousands and the streets of Chicago’s neighborhoods are made merry with the CTA Holiday Bus.
When you hear holiday music playing and a jolly “Ho-ho-ho!” from down the street, look up and you’ll see Santa waving and greeting all the good boys and girls of Chicago from the roof hatch of the bus.
A holiday tradition since 2014, this 60-foot bus has been transformed by CTA employees into a winter wonderland to say “thank you” to customers and bring added cheer during the holiday season.
The exterior of the bus features the Christkindlmarket and famous sights around Chicago including the Bean, the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and Buckingham Fountain.
NOTE: Riders who wish to take photos with Santa on board the bus are encouraged to do so only when the vehicle is stopped, and ideally, just before exiting through the rear doors.
The CTA Holiday Bus will make stops throughout Chicago’s neighborhood bus routes. For a complete schedule, click here.
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
