It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year and when the snow falls, it won’t be long until the CPKC Holiday Train rolls into Alberta!

With twinkly lights and Christmas cheer, this colourful display kicks off on November 21st and will raise money and food all over North America

“The Holiday Train unites people in the spirit of the season as it travels across Canada and the United States while generating critical support for our neighbours in need through the program’s support of local food banks,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We are pleased to again send this magical train on a four-week trip across our network spreading holiday joy as we collect food and raise money to fight food insecurity. We look forward to seeing all the smiles and cheers from people young and old coming together in the spirit of giving.”

Want to check it out?

Each location will also have a musical guest who will take the brightly decorated stage—for FREE. All they ask is that you bring a monetary or “heart-healthy” food donation.

Where and when

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This year, the train will stop in several destinations across Wild Rose Country between December 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th.

The train will stop for a half hour in each location, then move on so don’t be late!

Here’s when and where it will stop in your city or town this year:

  • December 8th at 15:15 – 15:45 – Medicine Hat Alberta, Queen & North Railway St. East of CPKC | American Authors and KT Tunstall 
  • December 8th at 17:30 – 18:00 – Tilley, Alberta, Southeast Side of Crossing HWY 876 | Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish
  • December 8th at 18:40 – 19:10  – Brooks, Alberta, 1st Ave. Rear of Civic Bldg | American Authors and KT Tunstall
  • December 8th at 20:45 – 21:15  – Gleichen, Alberta, 3rd Ave. & Crowfoot Street | Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish
  • December 11th  at 13:00 – 13:30 – Blackfalds, Alberta, Alberta Broadway Avenue & East Avenue | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 11th at 14:15 – 14:45 – Lacombe, Alberta, Len Thompson Fish Pond, Lacombe | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 11th at 16:00 – 16:30 – Ponoka, Alberta, 50 Street & 47 Avenue, Ponoka, Alberta | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 11th at 17:45 – 18:15 –  Wetaskiwin, Alberta, CPKC ES Building – 4009 50 Street | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 11th at 19:00 – 19:15 – Millet, Alberta, Railway Pedestrian Crossing – 50th Street & 48 Avenue | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 11th at 20:30 – 21:00 – Leduc, Alberta Railway Intersection at 50th Avenue (Mainstreet) & 47th Street | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 12th at 17:15 – 17:45 – Josephburg, Alberta,  Moyer Recreation Centre – 54596 Range Road 215 | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 12th at 20:15 – 20:45 –  Edmonton, Alberta,  south of the Edmonton CPKC Station 7935 Gateway Blvd | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 13th at 12:55 – 13:25 – Innisfail, Alberta, 50 Street | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 13th at 14:30 – 15:00 – Olds, Alberta, 50 Street | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 13th at 15:45 – 16:15 – Didsbury, Alberta, 20 Street & 18 Avenue | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 13th at 17:30 – 18:00 – Airdrie, Alberta, Nose Creek Park – Main Street | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 14th at 18:30 – 19:15 – Calgary, Alberta, Anderson C-Train Station | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 15th at 15:00 – 15:30 – Cochrane, Alberta, Behind Provincial Bldg between 4th Avenue & 2nd Avenue | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 15th at 16:25 – 16:50 – Stoney Nakota, Alberta, Morley Trading Post | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 15th at 18:00 – 18:30 – Canmore, Alberta, Railway Pedestrian Crossing on 10th Street – behind Save-On-Foods | Magic! and Sofia Camara
  • December 15th at 19:15 – 19:45 – Banff, Alberta, Banff Railway Station – 327 Railway Avenue | Magic! and Sofia Camara

As always, it’s going to be enchanting, so bundle up, head out and enjoy!

There’s nothing else like it.

Cassandra Stefanic

Regional Editor, Prairies –Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing, or editing, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, binge-watching a new series, at a speakeasy, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.

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