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Sunday, November 22, 2026 · evening

The Christmas light train through Detroit

On the evening of Sunday, November 22, 2026, the CPKC Holiday Train plays Windsor, comes under the river into Detroit and rolls through Southwest Detroit, Allen Park, Taylor and Romulus toward Ohio. It’s all here: the route, where to watch, the show, videos, its whole story, and every Christmas train ride around.

34days5hours14min49sec

Counting down to the Windsor show (5:00 p.m., Detroit time); the train rolls through Detroit after it, in the evening.

Where does it go?Where to watchThe Windsor show

November, Sunday night
22
year since 1999
28th
communities on tour
182
million dollars for food banks
28.3

Photos: Chad Davis, CC BY 2.0 · HistorySports, CC BY 4.0 · Arun A, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jerry Huddleston, CC BY 2.0 · Teles, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chad Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0

01 / When and where

One night, one train, a million bulbs

The CPKC Holiday Train is two lit-up freight trains that cross Canada and the United States every winter, playing a free show at each stop to raise money and food for local food banks. On Sunday, November 22, 2026, the U.S. train plays Windsor, ducks under the Detroit River and rolls through Southwest Detroit and Downriver toward Ohio that evening.

Windsor: 5–5:30 p.m.

A Sunday show on the train’s stage car at Erie Street West and Janette Avenue, with Magic! and MARIS. Free.12

Detroit: in the evening, no stop

There is no stop or show in Michigan, and CPKC gives no exact pass time. Last year, after the Windsor show, Downriver expected it roughly between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.234

About 1,000 feet of light

Each train is about 1,000 feet long with 14 cars and hundreds of thousands of LED lights; one converted boxcar is the stage.5

Free, but bring something

The show is free; CPKC asks you to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food, and every gift stays in the local community.6

02 / The route

From Windsor to Ohio, right through Detroit

The train leaves CPKC’s Windsor yard, ducks under the river through the 2.6-kilometre Detroit River Rail Tunnel (wholly CP’s since 2020), then runs southwest on the Norfolk Southern line under trackage rights, through Indiana toward Chicago.12131415

A show on the train’s stage car: Terri Clark, Minneapolis, 2017
A show on the train’s stage car: Terri Clark, Minneapolis, 2017 · August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0

03 / The closest show

In Windsor it stops, and there's a party

5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. · Erie Street West & Janette Avenue, Windsor

The closest real Holiday Train party: the train pulls up beside CPKC’s Windsor yard, the stage car opens, and you get half an hour of music, sing-alongs and a sea of lights. It has stopped at this same corner every year we found since 2016. Earlier that afternoon it plays Chatham at 1:45 p.m.178

Magic!MARIS

Bring your passport. Into Canada by land you need a passport but no eTA; coming back, Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA, and the Canada trip does not restart the 90 days. Crossings and live waits: our Gordie Howe Bridge guide.

📅 Event page, add to your calendar

04 / Where to watch

Where to see it roll by

Michigan has no official stop, so everyone heads trackside: these are the places the press named, or where people filmed it in recent years. CPKC names no official viewing spots and no exact times, so dress in layers and bring a thermos.

Behind Michigan Central

Corktown, Detroit · first in line in 2025

The most photogenic spot: it comes up from the tunnel past the lit-up station. FOX 2 suggested it too.1817

Bagley Street bridge

Corktown, Detroit

Little Guide Detroit’s 2025 pick, near Michigan Central.4

Delray crossings

Southwest Detroit

It moves slowly here, so you see it for longer.19

Around Thunderbowl Lanes

Allen Park

The best-known gathering spot since 2015; in 2017 they expected 10,000–15,000 people. The bowling alley was sold in 2024, so parking is not guaranteed.162026

Taylor

Taylor

The press named the Walmart area as a popular spot, without saying which store.27

Romulus by the tracks

Romulus

In 2022 the city welcomed it with a tree lighting, fire pits and Santa; it was filmed here again in 2025.2128

Belleville and Milan

Washtenaw and Wayne counties

It comes later here; in 2025 Milan’s estimate was 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.232915

Adrian

Lenawee County

In 2016 it passed around 10:45 p.m., with people waiting from 8 p.m.2430

05 / Video

This is what it looks like

The video only loads when you click it (YouTube, privacy-enhanced mode).

November 22, 2025, Corktown: the train comes up from the tunnel past the lit-up station. Randy Arellano · 1:10
CPKC’s official recap of the record year. CPKC · 5:00
2025, Southwest Detroit: slow and close. Mitten State Railfan · 1:51
Downriver, the evening after the Windsor show. Midwest Railfan Productions · 1:26
Heading through Washtenaw County toward Ohio. 313 Railfan · 2:18
WDIV’s full footage of its return after three years. WDIV Local 4 · 7:13
CTV’s report from the Windsor stop. CTV News · 1:16
The whole lit train from above. VIP_PHIL · 9:46
Pere Marquette 1225, the model for the Polar Express engine, on its Christmas run. Steam Railroading Institute · 1:14
A lit-up village in Flint with evening train rides. ABC12 · 3:14

06 / Photos

The train up close

Arriving at Union Station, Kansas City, 2018
Arriving at Union Station, Kansas City, 2018 · Tyler Silvest, CC BY 2.0
The Holiday Train by Union Depot, Saint Paul, 2015
The Holiday Train by Union Depot, Saint Paul, 2015 · Jerry Huddleston, CC BY 2.0
The whole train in the night, Toronto, 2023
The whole train in the night, Toronto, 2023 · Russell Sutherland, public domain

07 / Its story

Rolling since 1999, and Detroit is on the map

Since 1999 the two trains have raised more than $28.3 million and 5.6 million pounds of food. It has rolled through Detroit almost every year since at least 2015; the years marked in red have Michigan reports or footage.3435

  1. 1999

    Canadian Pacific launches the Holiday Train. We could not find the details of the first route.3637

  2. 2015

    MLive films it by Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park: the earliest Detroit footage we found.20

  3. 2016

    18th edition, two trains, about 150 shows. Windsor on Wednesday, November 30; MLive films it in Allen Park and Adrian, and it passes Lenawee County around 10:45 p.m.573824

  4. 2017

    Windsor on Thursday, November 30, from 6 p.m.; Allen Park expects it around 9 p.m., and Thunder Bowl Lanes plans for 10,000–15,000 people.2416

  5. 2018

    20th journey: more than $1.3 million and 200,000 pounds of food. Windsor on Friday, November 30, with the Sam Roberts Band, then on through Michigan that night.3940

  6. 2019

    21st tour, more than $1.49 million. Windsor on Saturday, November 30, with Alan Doyle. The last year before the pandemic.4142

  7. 2020

    No train because of the pandemic, only an online concert.37

  8. 2021

    A second online year; the train stays home again.37

  9. 2022

    Back on the rails after three years. Windsor on Thursday, December 1; Romulus greets it with a tree lighting and bleachers by the tracks, and WDIV and WXYZ show it live.372143

  10. 2023

    The first trip as CPKC, after CP merged with Kansas City Southern. Windsor on Friday, November 24; WXYZ films it in Belleville.444522

  11. 2024

    More than $1.75 million and 130,000 pounds of food. Windsor on Monday, November 25; filmed in Detroit that evening.464748

  12. 2025

    A record: more than $2 million and 175,000 pounds of food. Windsor on Saturday, November 22, with Smash Mouth; filmed at Michigan Central, Delray, Romulus, Belleville, Milan and Adrian.3549171928

  13. 2026

    28th year: 182 communities from November 19 to December 20, reaching Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas for the first time. Windsor on Sunday, November 22, with Magic! and MARIS, then through Detroit that evening.3421

08 / Christmas train rides

Climb aboard: Christmas trains around Detroit

You can’t ride the Holiday Train, but you can ride these: Santa trains, steam engines and lit-up villages around Detroit. Every detail comes from the organizer’s own page, checked October 18, 2026.

Santa Express, Clinton, MI

Clinton, Michigan

Santa Express

📅 November 28–29, December 5–6 and 12–13

🎫 adults $20, kids $15, under 3 free

A short heritage ride from Clinton to Santa’s caboose: every child gets a few minutes with Santa and a gift, then hot cocoa. About 1 hour 15 minutes in all; propane heaters keep the cars warm.50515253

Southern Michigan Railroad Society, organizer photo

Spicer Express, Fenton, MI

Fenton, Michigan

Spicer Express

📅 from the day after Thanksgiving to December 23, by timed slot

🎫 per family, $75 (2 people) to $165 (6 people), plus a fee

A small musical lit-up train carries you across the orchard to Santa’s Sleigh Cabin or the Gingerbread Barn for a private family visit, then cider-mill donuts and cider at the market.54555657

Spicer Orchards, organizer photo

North Pole Express, Owosso, MI

Owosso, Michigan

North Pole Express

📅 November 20 to December 20, 15 days: Fridays 5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

🎫 Coach $85; sold out as of October 18

Pere Marquette 1225, the steam engine whose blueprints and sounds became the animated Polar Express engine, pulls the train to Ashley’s Country Christmas, with about two hours there to meet Santa. The cars are not wheelchair accessible.62636465

Steam Railroading Institute (Pere Marquette 1225), organizer photo

Findlay, Ohio

North Pole Express (ride-on trains)

📅 November 20 to December 27, Friday to Sunday, from 5:30 p.m.

🎫 adults $5, kids $3, at the door

Quarter-scale ride-on trains wind through a winter wonderland of lights; Santa and Mrs. Claus drop in on select nights.66676869

Port Stanley, Ontario

Santa Treats Train

📅 weekends from November 21 to December 20, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

🎫 price at booking

A one-hour Santa train on Lake Erie’s Canadian shore; you need a passport.747576

09 / Pitch in

Bring a food donation

The Holiday Train is about giving: since 1999 it has collected more than $28.3 million and 5.6 million pounds of food. If you go to Windsor, bring non-perishable food or cash; everything stays with the local food bank. Watching in Michigan? Your own town’s food pantry will be just as glad.346

10 / Questions

What people ask

Does the Holiday Train stop in Detroit?

No: there is no stop or show in Michigan; it only passes through. The closest show is in Windsor, 5–5:30 p.m.341

When exactly will it get here?

Nobody knows in advance: CPKC gives no time, and the border matters. The Windsor show ends at 5:30 p.m., then it comes through the tunnel; last year Downriver expected it between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., Milan maybe after midnight.3415

How much does it cost?

Nothing. At the shows CPKC asks for a cash donation or non-perishable food for the local food bank.6

Do I need a passport for the Windsor show?

Yes. By land you enter Canada with a passport and no eTA; coming back on the Visa Waiver you need an approved ESTA, and the trip does not restart your 90 days.91011

What if it isn’t lit when it passes?

It can happen: for safety the lights may be switched off in Michigan. At the Windsor show you’ll see it fully lit.32

Can I ride it?

No, it is a freight train with a stage. If you want a Christmas train ride, see the Christmas trains around Detroit below.5

What is CPKC?

The railroad formed when Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merged in 2023; the train has been the CPKC Holiday Train since.45

Sources

Every fact with its source and retrieval date; last checked 2026-10-18. Unofficial sources are marked.

  1. Holiday Train rolls into Windsor, Chatham Nov. 22 · AM800 CKLW (Bell Media) · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  2. CPKC Holiday Train to pass through metro Detroit in 2026 on Sunday, Nov. 22 · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 (Scripps) · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  3. Here's when popular light-up holiday train will pass through Metro Detroit during 2024 tour · WDIV ClickOnDetroit Local 4 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  4. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train (2025 viewing guide) · Little Guide Detroit · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  5. 18th edition of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on track to raise $1.2M and 250,000 pounds of food · Canadian Pacific (investor.cpkcr.com) · 2026-10-18
  6. CPKC Holiday Train begins 182-stop journey (donations paragraph) · CPKC via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  7. CP Holiday Train rolling through Windsor · AM800 CKLW · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  8. CPKC Holiday Train Ontario Schedule 2026 · TodoCanada · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  9. Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Who can apply · Government of Canada (IRCC) · 2026-10-18
  10. CBP Buffalo Reminder of ESTA Requirement at Land Border Ports of Entry (April 11, 2023) · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · 2026-10-18
  11. 8 CFR 217.3(b): readmission after a trip to a neighbouring country · eCFR (U.S. Government) · 2026-10-18
  12. CP completes acquisition of Detroit River Rail Tunnel · Canadian Pacific (investor.cpkcr.com) · 2026-10-18
  13. CP to acquire full ownership of the Detroit River Rail Tunnel · Canadian Pacific (investor.cpkcr.com) · 2026-10-18
  14. Watching Trains · MichiganRailroads.com · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  15. Holiday Train passing through region on mission to spread cheer and support food banks · WTVG 13abc Toledo · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  16. Metro Detroiters prepare for arrival of Canadian Pacific Holiday Train · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  17. CPKC Holiday Train arrives at Michigan Central Station · YouTube / Randy Arellano · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  18. CPKC Holiday Train to pass through Detroit this weekend - How to see it · FOX 2 Detroit · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  19. ***2025*** CPKC annual holiday train crawls through Delray, Michigan · YouTube / Mitten State Railfan · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  20. Watch the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train roll through Metro Detroit · YouTube / MLive · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  21. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls through metro Detroit for first time in 3 years · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  22. Check out this Christmas train! · YouTube / WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  23. CPKC holiday train 2025 in Belleville Michigan · YouTube / Hectic Aperture · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  24. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to pass through metro Detroit · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  25. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train passes through Adrian, MI · YouTube / MLive · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  26. Bowlero release mentioning Thunderbowl Lanes (Allen Park) · Bowlero via Business Wire · 2026-10-18
  27. Lighted CPKC Holiday Train Rolls Through Metro Detroit on Nov. 22 · Hoodline (AI-assisted article) · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  28. The 2025 CPKC Holiday Train!! - Romulus, MI 11/22/25 · YouTube / Midwest Railfan Productions · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  29. The 2025 CPKC Holiday Train Running Through Milan, MI! | CPKC 02H, 11/22/25 · YouTube / 313 Railfan · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  30. The 2025 CP Holiday Train - Adrian, Michigan · YouTube / SRT Railfan · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  31. CPKC Holiday Train begins 182-stop journey (safety paragraph) · CPKC via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  32. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to pass through metro Detroit for first time in 3 years · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  33. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to pass through metro Detroit again in November · WXYZ-TV Channel 7 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  34. CPKC Holiday Train begins 182-stop journey of music and giving Nov. 19 · CPKC via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  35. CPKC Holiday Train raises record $2 million, collects 175,000 pounds of food in 2025 · CPKC via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  36. Canadian Pacific Railway · Wikipedia · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  37. CP Holiday Train program finishes 24th year; raises more than $1.3 million and collects 121,000 pounds of food · Canadian Pacific (investor.cpkcr.com) · 2026-10-18
  38. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train passes through Allen Park · YouTube / MLive · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  39. CP Holiday Train completes 20th journey across North America, raises more than $1.3 million and collects 200,000 pounds of food · Canadian Pacific via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  40. Sam Roberts Band to headline CP Holiday Train in Windsor, Chatham · AM800 CKLW · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  41. 21st annual CP Holiday Train concludes another successful tour, raises more than $1.49 million and 238,393 pounds of food · CPKC (cpkcr.com media page) · 2026-10-18
  42. CP Holiday Train with Alan Doyle coming to Windsor and Chatham · CTV News Windsor · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  43. Full video: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train passes through Metro Detroit · WDIV ClickOnDetroit Local 4 · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  44. CANADIAN HOLIDAY TRAIN Schedule for Nov. 21 - 25, 2023 (CPKC schedule reproduced) · Canadian Railway Observations · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  45. Canadian Pacific Kansas City · Wikipedia · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  46. 2024 CPKC Holiday Train raises over $1.75 million, collects more than 130,000 pounds of food · CPKC via Cision/CNW (newswire.ca) · 2026-10-18
  47. Hundreds attend as CP Holiday Train visits Windsor · AM800 CKLW · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  48. CP Holiday Train in Detroit - November 25 2024 · YouTube / Dan Cluley · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  49. Holiday Train arrives in Windsor tonight · AM800 CKLW · 2026-10-18 · unofficial source
  50. Santa Express - Southern Michigan Railroad Society · Southern Michigan Railroad Society · 2026-10-18
  51. Santa Express - Ticket Prices · Southern Michigan Railroad Society · 2026-10-18
  52. Santa Express - Train Schedules · Southern Michigan Railroad Society · 2026-10-18
  53. Santa Express - Duration · Southern Michigan Railroad Society · 2026-10-18
  54. VISIT SANTA | Spicer Orchards · Spicer Orchards · 2026-10-18
  55. VISIT SANTA | Spicer Orchards - reservations · Spicer Orchards · 2026-10-18
  56. VISIT SANTA | Spicer Orchards - included · Spicer Orchards · 2026-10-18
  57. Santa FAQ | Spicer Orchards · Spicer Orchards · 2026-10-18
  58. Christmas Holiday Magic - Genesee County Parks · Genesee County Parks · 2026-10-18
  59. Christmas Holiday Magic - Dates & Times · Genesee County Parks · 2026-10-18
  60. Christmas Holiday Magic - description · Genesee County Parks · 2026-10-18
  61. Christmas Holiday Magic - prices · Genesee County Parks · 2026-10-18
  62. North Pole Express - Steam Railroading Institute · Steam Railroading Institute · 2026-10-18
  63. North Pole Express - Trip Dates & Times tab · Steam Railroading Institute · 2026-10-18
  64. North Pole Express - status banner · Steam Railroading Institute · 2026-10-18
  65. North Pole Express - New for 2026 · Steam Railroading Institute · 2026-10-18
  66. North Pole Express - Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation · Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. · 2026-10-18
  67. North Pole Express - hours · Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. · 2026-10-18
  68. North Pole Express - admission · Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. · 2026-10-18
  69. North Pole Express - description · Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. · 2026-10-18
  70. Special Events - Little River Railroad · Little River Railroad · 2026-10-18
  71. Special Events - Christmas Express details · Little River Railroad · 2026-10-18
  72. FareHarbor item: Christmas Express · FareHarbor booking system used by Little River Railroad · 2026-10-18
  73. FareHarbor calendar: Christmas Express (Dec 2026) · FareHarbor booking system used by Little River Railroad · 2026-10-18
  74. FareHarbor item: Santa Treats Train Rides · FareHarbor booking system used by Port Stanley Terminal Rail · 2026-10-18
  75. FareHarbor calendar: Santa Treats Train Rides (Nov+Dec 2026) · FareHarbor booking system used by PSTR · 2026-10-18
  76. Port Stanley Terminal Rail · Port Stanley Terminal Rail · 2026-10-18
  77. Santa Train Rides in Michigan | Coopersville and Marne Railway · Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway · 2026-10-18
  78. Santa Train - ticket table · Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway · 2026-10-18
  79. Santa Train - quick details · Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway · 2026-10-18
  80. Santa Train - additional information · Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway · 2026-10-18

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