Editor’s Note: This review was originally published in 2011. It has been updated to reflect the current dates and information. Your experience may vary.
Holidays in Gurnee mean a visit from the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train! This yearly event makes a stop in Gurnee in early December, and you are going to want to add it to your holiday to-do list.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
This brightly illuminated train announces the arrival of Santa Claus in Gurnee. It is a yearly Christmas fundraising tour that benefits food banks across North America.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train makes its way across the United States and Canada providing a much-needed service to families in need. According to Canadian Pacific authorities,
“Since the program’s inception back in 1999, more than 15.8 million in cash and over 4.5 million pounds of food has been collected in Canada and the United States.”
The only stop in Illinois will take place on Monday, December 2 at Viking Park in Gurnee.
Enjoy hot cocoa and goodies at the Depot in Viking Park, starting at 4:00 p.m., and be sure to bring a food or cash donation for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Santa will be making his way around for the good little boys and girls to get a picture with. Parents of infants and toddlers should be forewarned that the walk to the other side of the tracks takes the crowd along a very dark, very narrow roadside. Strollers can be a challenge. Also, in spite of its deliciousness, the hot cocoa can be SUPER hot. My kids waited so long for theirs to cool off that we almost missed seeing the Big Guy. Fortunately, we made it in time to get a candy cane from Santa himself. This has become one of our favorite holiday traditions and a fantastic start to a season of giving.
2019 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Monday, December 2
Train arrives at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Viking Park-Depot Road
Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Northern Illinois Food Bank
More families than ever need your support. Help feed our community by bringing a cash or food donation to this year’s Holiday Train! Follow the Gurnee Chamber’s Facebook Event for up to date information including delays and cancelations.
This looks great Genevieve! We always try to book the Polar Express over the holidays but it is always sold out before we can register. This will make a great alternative and it’s free too!