The Holiday Train Minnesota is a festive and charitable event organized by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It’s an annual tradition where a specially decorated train travels through various communities to spread holiday cheer and raise money for local food banks. The train is decked out in thousands of colorful LED lights and features live musical performances by well-known artists.
In Minnesota, the Holiday Train typically makes multiple stops, and these locations vary from year to year. Some of the past stops in Minnesota have included cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul, and several smaller towns along the railway route. The specific stops and schedule can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Canadian Pacific website or local news for the most up-to-date information.
Is the CP holiday train free?
The Holiday Train is a wonderful family event for so many reasons:
Get into the Holiday Spirit-
The train’s festive decorations and live music performances create a magical holiday atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for both kids and adults.
Community Involvement-
The event promotes community engagement and solidarity. It often serves as a fundraiser for local food banks, encouraging attendees to bring donations to support those in need during the holiday season.
Live Holiday Music-
Renowned artists and bands perform on the train, entertaining the crowd with holiday tunes. It’s a unique opportunity for families to enjoy live music in a cozy, outdoor setting.
Family Time
Attending the Holiday Train is an excellent way for families to spend quality time together. It’s a chance to bond, take photos, and create lasting memories.
Accessibility-
The train makes stops in various towns and cities, making it accessible to people across Minnesota, so families from different regions can easily participate.
Free Family Friendly Fun Event-
The event is usually free, so families can enjoy the festivities without breaking the bank.
The Holiday Train is a heartwarming, community-focused, and family-friendly tradition that brings the joy of the holiday season to Minnesota and many other places along its route. This year, the performers making stops in Minnesota are artists Allen Stone, Shawnee Kish and Jamie Fine!
Where does the holiday train stop in Minnesota?
FULL Canadian Pacific Holiday Train 2026 Schedule in Minnesota
Friday, December 11th:
Rochester at 1:15pm with the performance at 1605 Civic Center Drive NW
La Crescent at 2:15pm with the performance at the railroad crossing at 517 South Chestnut Street, near the entrance to the La Crescent maintenance building
Owatonna at 3:45pm with the performance at the railway crossing near the Owatonna Bus Company, 1145 Park Drive
Waseca at 5:30pm with the performance at 308 South State Street and Highway 13
Janesville at 7:15pm with the performance at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 236 Front Street, between Main Street and Craig Street
Saturday, December 12th:
Winona at 3:45pm with the performance at Amtrak Station, 65 East Mark Street
Wabasha at 5:45pm with the performance at Gambie Avenue railway crossing by Bruegger Park
Red Wing at 7:15pm with the performance at Bay Point Park overflow parking lot, Levee Road and Bay Point Drive
Hastings at 8:45pm with the performance at CPKC Depot, 500 East Second Street
Sunday, December 13th:
Cottage Grove at 5:15pm with the performance at South Sebian Bridge, 7064 West Point Douglas Road
St. Paul at 7:00pm with the performance at St. Paul Union Depot, 214 East 4th Street
Monday, December 14th:
Golden Valley at 5:00pm with the performance at the railway crossing at Golden Hills Drive
St. Louis Park at 6:15pm with the performance at the railway crossing at the intersection of West Lake Street and Library Lane
Minneapolis at 8:15pm with the performance at Lions Park, 37th Avenue and Stinson Boulevard
Tuesday, December 15th:
Loretto at 4:30pm with the performance at the Hennepin County Road 19 railway crossing
Wednesday, December 16th:
Buffalo at 6:00pm with the performance at the 5th Street Northeast railway crossing
Annandale at 7:30pm with the performance at Downtown Park, near the Harrison Street railway crossing
Kimball at 9:00pm with the performance at Willow Creek Park, 230 Main Street South
Thursday, December 17th:
Glenwood at 10:15am with the performance at CPKC Station, 20 15th Street Northeast
Alexandria at 11:45am with the performance at the railway crossing at 8th Avenue and Nokomis
Detroit Lakes at 2:45pm with the performance at the Holmes Street railway crossing near Holmes Community Center, 826 Summit Avenue
Mahnomen at 4:20pm with the performance at the railway crossing near U.S. Highway 59 and East Washington Avenue
Plummer at 6:15pm with the performance at the Central Avenue railway crossing
Thief River Falls at 7:45pm with the performance north of City Hall, 405 3rd Street East
Elbow Lake at 4:30pm with the performance at the U.S. State Highway 59 railway crossing
Related Article: Holiday Events at the Union Depot
Canadian Pacific Train 2026 Schedule in Wisconsin
Tuesday, December 8th: Sturtevant at 7:00pm with the performance at 9900 East Exploration Drive Caledonia at 8:15pm with the performance at the 5 1/2 Mile Road railway crossing Wednesday, December 9th: Wauwatosa at 4:15pm with the performance at the Harwood Avenue railway crossing Hartland at 5:45pm with the performance west of the railway crossing at Cottonwood Avenue Oconomowoc at 6:45pm with the performance at the South Silver Lake Street railway crossing Watertown at 8:00pm with the performance at Brandt Quirk Park Columbus at 9:15pm with the performance at 395 North Ludington Street Thursday, December 10th: Portage at 1:15pm with the performance at the CPKC Yard adjacent to Averbeck Street Wisconsin Dells at 2:45pm with the performance at 100 La Crosse Street Mauston at 4:15pm with the performance at the Division Street railway crossing Tomah at 5:30pm with the performance at 205 North Superior Avenue Sparta at 6:50pm with the performance at South Water Street and Milwaukee Street, on the south side of the CPKC tracks La Crosse at 8:30pm with the performance at 601 Saint Andrew Street Learn more about the CP Holiday Train and see the full schedule of stops here. Related Article: Your Family’s Guide to the Holidays in Minnesota
