A longtime holiday tradition will continue in 2023. It's the 25th year for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.

The train, which embarked on its first trip in 1999, has been "raising money, food, and awareness for food insecurity issues" for nearly two-and-a-half decades. This holiday season marks 25 years.

The U.S. Holiday Train will begin in Pingree Grove, Illinois on Sunday, November 26, and it will be in Iowa before the day is over.

CP Railroad
CP Railroad
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The first Iowa stop for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be Clinton. The train will actually visit Iowa a week before its first Wisconsin stop. Here's the schedule of Iowa stops on the first run:

Sunday, November 26 (Performers are Seaforth and Kiesza)

  • Clinton: 3:05 p.m. arrival; Event at East end of Main Avenue, near Sawmill Museum from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
  • Davenport: 5:45 p.m. arrival; Event at corner of Western Avenue and West River Drive from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Muscatine: 7:30 p.m. arrival; Event at West end of River Side Park at Chesnut Street and Harbor Drive 7:45 to 8:15 p.m.

Monday, November 27 (Performers are Seaforth and Kiesza)

  • Ottumwa: 10 a.m. arrival; Event at CPKC station, 1300 Wildwood Drive across I34 from Kohl's 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Kristopher Grunert
Kristopher Grunert
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The following week, there are a ton of stops in Wisconsin, as well as more in Iowa. Here is the Wisconsin schedule:

Sunday, December 3 (Performers are Tenille Townes and Breland)

  • Sturtevant: 6:45 p.m. arrival; Event at Amtrak Depot at 9900 E. Exploration Ct. 7 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Caledonia: 8:05 p.m. arrival; Event at railway crossing at 11402 County Road G 8:15 to 8:45 p.m.

Monday, December 4 (Performers are Tenille Townes and Breland)

  • Wauwatosa: 4 p.m. arrival; Event at Harwood Avenue railway crossing from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.
  • Hartland: 5:30 p.m. arrival; Event at railway crossing at Cottonwood Avenue 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
  • Oconomowoc: 6:40 p.m. arrival; Event at South Silver Lake Street railway crossing 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.
  • Watertown: 7:50 p.m. arrival; Event at Brandt Quirk Park parking lot (ball diamond) adjacent to CPKC tracks 8 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Columbus: 9:05 p.m. arrival; Event at Amtrak Depot at 359 N Ludington Street 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.

Tuesday, December 5 (Performers are Tenille Townes and Breland)

  • Portage: 1:15 p.m. arrival; Event at CPKC yard adjacent to Averbeck Street 1:15 to 1:45 p.m.
  • Wisconsin Dells: 2:30 p.m. arrival; Event at Amtrak Depot at 100 La Crosse Street 2:45 to 3:15 p.m.
  • Mauston: 4 p.m. arrival; Event at Division Street railway crossing 4:15 to 4:40 p.m.
  • Tomah: 5:25 p.m. arrival; Event at Amtrak Depot at 205 North Superior Avenue 5:30 to 6 p.m.
  • Sparta: 6:40 p.m. arrival; Event at corner of S. Water Street and Milwaukee (south side of CPKC tracks) 6:50 to 7:20 p.m.
  • La Crosse: 8:25 p.m. arrival; Event at Amtrak Station at 601 Saint Andrew Street 8:30 to 9 p.m.
Neil Zeller
Neil Zeller
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A couple of days later, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is back in Iowa. Here are those five stops.

Thursday, December 7 (Performers are Tenille Townes and Breland)

  • Mason City: 7:45 p.m. arrival; Event at CPKC Depot at 904 South Pennsylvania Avenue 8 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8 (Performers are Tenille Townes and Breland)

  • Ossian: 11 a.m. arrival; Event at West Mechanic Street between Becker Avenue and North West Street 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Marquette: 1:45 p.m. arrival; Event in Marin parking lot, north off Casino Queen Marquette at Water Street and Highway 76--2 to 2:30 p.m.
  • Lansing: 3:50 p.m. arrival; Event at ball field on South Front Street between North 2nd and Dodge Street 4 to 4:30 p.m.
  • New Albin: 5:15 p.m. arrival; Event at parking lot adjacent to CPKC tracks on Railroad Avenue between Ross Avenue and Oak Street 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Since its origination, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has raised over $22.5 million and over 5 million pounds of food for community food banks. As you can see above, you'll have plenty of opportunities to both enjoy and support it again this year.

Holiday Train 2022

Gallery Credit: Julie B

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Gallery Credit: Paul Drake

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