Catch a ride with Santa aboard the CTA Holiday Train and Bus: See the schedule

Editor’s note: The video in the player above is from a previous year.

Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer kicked off the start of their annual rounds aboard the CTA Friday, marking the start of the holiday train and bus season in Chicago.

The Holiday Train, now in its 34th year of operation, and the Holiday Bus will spread festive joy across the city along several CTA routes.

Decked out with six decorated passenger rail cars and one open flatcar carrying Santa in his sleigh, the CTA Holiday Train will run along all eight rail lines this season.

The CTA Holiday Bus has a gingerbread house theme with a newly updated design for 2025. The 6-foot festive fleet is wrapped in decoration highlighting Chicago’s Christkindlmarket and other iconic city landmarks.

The bus will also travel two more routes this year than previous, for a total of 19.

“The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet is one of CTA’s and Chicago’s most beloved and unique traditions, and I’m proud that our employees bring it to life each year,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet reflects the creativity, commitment, and heart of CTA’s workforce, who work hard every day to make our riders’ holidays a magical and memorable experience.”

Both the Holiday Bus and Train are now operating. The bus will run through Dec. 20 and the train through Dec. 22.

A candy cane will appear on the CTA Train Tracker to indicate when the Holiday Train is running. There is also a dedicated holiday bus tracker.

The CTA Holiday Train has evolved greatly since it began in 1992 when a sign reading “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” was placed on the front of an out-of-service Blue Line train used to deliver food to various charities.

The Holiday Train and Bus service all schedules stops along their route, but the CTA advises riders to be patient and prepared for delays.

Additional details on the CTA Holiday Train and Bus, including a full schedule marked with when photos with Santa are available, can be found here.

For anyone wanting to join the holiday transit fun without making a trip to the city, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will also make stops in the Chicago suburbs and several surrounding areas this season, featuring musical performances by cult favorite bands.