Iconic Holiday Train’s First 3 U.S. Stops Are in Illinois

As you may have heard by now, the world-famous CPKC Holiday Train has announced its 2026 schedule. What you may not be aware of is the first 3 US stops for this iconic iron horse Christmas messenger will be in Illinois.

I will admit that the first time I saw the just-announced CPKC Holiday Train schedule, it slipped right by me that as it enters America, it's first 3 stops are in the Land of Lincoln. Here are the exact times and days:

November 23, 2026 - 17:30 - 18:00 Franklin Park, Illinois - South side of Ruby Street Railway Magic! and MARIS Crossing, North of Franklin Avenue

November 24, 2026 - 09:00 - 09:30 Pingree Grove, Illinois - Village Hall, Railroad Street & Reinking Magic! and MARIS Road

November 24, 2026 - 12:00 - 12:30 Byron, Illinois - Tower Road near High School Magic! and MARIS

It's important to note that as the CPKC Holiday Train heads back toward Canada, it will make one more Illinois stop:

December 8, 2026 - 17:15 - 17:40 Gurnee, Illinois - 4460 Old Grand Avenue, Viking Middle Allen Stone School Park

If you're somehow not familiar with the history of the CPKC Holiday Train, it was launched in 1999 and has collected millions of dollars of donations for local food banks including millions of pounds of food, too. It's truly one of the ultimate feel good Christmas sights you can see. Illinois is fortunate to have so many stops for this iconic Christmas train.