CTA Holiday Train & Holiday Bus

About this adventure

Perhaps Chicago's most unique, heartwarming homegrown holiday tradition for over 30 years, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Holiday Train and Holiday Bus bring joyful surprises to everyday commuters and excited children alike. The six-car train is wrapped in holiday livery and illuminated with thousands of exterior LED string lights. In the center rides an open-air flatcar carrying Santa Claus and his reindeer waving to onlookers on transit platforms across the city. Inside, train cars are adorned with holiday artwork, candy cane-striped handrails, seasonal music, and the sweet scent of cinnamon wafting through the cars, while friendly CTA employee 'elves' distribute candy canes to riders. The train rotates across all eight CTA rail lines (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow lines) on select afternoons and evenings from late November through December 23. It runs as part of normal scheduled transit service, meaning standard CTA fares ($2.50) apply with no special tickets needed.