Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minnesota News
MPR News Staff

Holiday Train set to make annual trek across Minnesota

A colorfully decorated train moves along the tracks
The CPKC Holiday Train passes through Newport, Minn., in December 2019.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The brightly decorated, colorful boxcars of CPKC Railway’s annual Holiday Train are back in Minnesota this week, with 20 stops planned across the state.

Over the past 25 years, the Holiday Train has traveled rail lines across Canada and the U.S. each November and December, with musical performances and food donation collections in communities along the way.

The train’s visit to Minnesota this year starts Tuesday with stops in La Crescent, Winona, Wabasha and Hastings. It’ll make its way through the Twin Cities on Wednesday and Thursday, then head through central and western Minnesota. Its last stop in the state will be in Elbow Lake on Dec. 16.

A complete list of stops is below.

The southeast Minnesota and Twin Cities stops will feature music by The Lone Bellow and Tiera Kennedy. Central and western Minnesota stops will include music by Seaforth and Alana Springsteen.

If you’re heading out to any of the stops — especially Wednesday and Thursday — bundle up. Forecasts are calling for frigid conditions in Minnesota, with highs in the single digits across much of the state.

Since its inception, the Holiday Train has raised more than $24 million and collected more than 5 million pounds of food for local food banks across the U.S. and Canada.


CPKC Holiday Train stops in Minnesota

Dec. 10

  • 2:15-2:45 p.m. — La Crescent, 215 South Chestnut Street

  • 3:45-4:15 p.m. — Winona, 65 East Mark Street

  • 5:45-6:15 p.m. — Wabasha, Bruegger Park - Gambia Avenue

  • 8:15-8:45 p.m. — Hastings, 500 East Second Street

Dec. 11

  • 5:15-5:45 p.m. — Cottage Grove, 7064 West Point Douglas Road

  • 7-7:30 p.m. — St. Paul, Union Depot - 214 Fourth Street East

Dec. 12

  • 5-5:30 p.m. — Golden Valley, Golden Hills Drive

  • 6:15-6:45 p.m. — St. Louis Park, Lake Street and Library Lane

  • 8:15-8:45 p.m. — Minneapolis, 37th Avenue NE and Stinson Boulevard

Dec. 14

  • 4:30-5 p.m. — Loretto, County Road 19

  • 6-6:30 p.m. — Buffalo, Fifth Street Northeast

  • 7:30-8 p.m. — Annandale, Downtown Park - Harrison Street

  • 9-9:30 p.m. — Kimball, Willow Creek Park - 230 Main St. South

Dec. 15

  • 10:15-10:45 a.m. — Glenwood, 20 15th Street NE

  • 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Alexandria, Eighth Avenue East and Nokomis Street

  • 2:45-3:15 p.m. — Detroit Lakes, Holmes Street, west of community center

  • 4:20-4:50 p.m. — Mahnomen, U.S. Highway 59 and East Washington Avenue

  • 6:15-6:45 p.m. — Plummer, Central Avenue

  • 7:45-8:15 p.m. — Thief River Falls, 405 Third Street East

Dec 16

  • 4:30-5 p.m. — Elbow Lake, U.S. Highway 59