In an enchanting holiday tradition, the CTA has announced the eagerly anticipated schedule for the Allstate Holiday Bus and Train, inviting Chicagoans to experience a festive journey through the city. This annual event transforms regular commutes into magical rides filled with holiday cheer.

To join in on the festive fun, no special tickets are required. Passengers can simply use their regular CTA fare to hop aboard these uniquely decorated vehicles. The Holiday Train, a perennial favorite, dazzles with six elaborately adorned passenger railcars. At the heart of the spectacle is an open flatcar, where Santa Claus can be seen riding in his sleigh, surrounded by twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and reindeer.

This year, the Allstate CTA Holiday Bus brings a fresh twist with its gingerbread house-themed interior. The design includes wreaths, bows, candy cane stripes, and a miniature gingerbread village, creating a whimsical atmosphere. At the rear of the bus, visitors will find Santa’s chair within a lovingly updated gingerbread court, ready to welcome passengers of all ages.

Starting November 25 and running through December 20, the eye-catching bus will make its way through 19 different routes, spreading holiday spirit across the city. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this festive CTA experience is not to be missed.

The bus will operate on 19 routes from November 25 to December 20.

“The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet is one of CTA’s and Chicago’s most beloved and unique traditions, and I’m proud that our employees bring it to life each year,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet reflects the creativity, commitment, and heart of CTA’s workforce, who work hard every day to make our riders’ holidays a magical and memorable experience.”

CTA Holiday Train Schedule:
Fri 11/28
Green Line & Orange Line
Departing:
Midway toward Loop, then Harlem/Lake at 3:50
Harlem/Lake to Cottage Grove at 5:29
Cottage Grove toward Loop, then Midway at 7:07

Sat 11/29
Green Line & Photos with Santa
Departing:
Harlem/Lake to Ashland/63rd at 2:32
Cottage Grove to Harlem/Lake at 5:47

Tue 12/2
Green Line & Orange Line
Departing:
Midway toward Loop, then Harlem/Lake at 3:50
Harlem/Lake to Ashland/63rd at 5:29
Ashland/63rd toward Loop, then Midway at 7:03
Wed 12/3
Orange Line & Brown Line
Departing:
Midway toward Loop, then Kimball at 3:08
Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 4:41
Thu 12/4
Orange Line & Brown Line

Departing:
Midway toward Loop, then Kimball at 3:53
Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 5:28
Fri 12/5
Orange Line & Brown Line
Departing:
Midway toward Loop, then Kimball at 3:08
Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 4:41
Sat 12/6
Orange Line & Brown Line & Photos with Santa
Departing:
Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 1:13
Midway toward Loop, then Kimball at 4:21
Kimball toward Loop, then Midway at 5:50
Tue 12/9
Pink Line
Departing:
54th/Cermak to Loop at 2:46
Loop (from Clark/Lake) to 54th/Cermak at 3:08
54th/Cermak to Loop at 4:11
Loop (from Clark/Lake) to 54th/Cermak at 4:48
Wed 12/10
Pink Line
Departing:
54th/Cermak to Loop at 3:06
Loop (from Clark/Lake) to 54th/Cermak at 3:33
54th/Cermak to Loop at 4:53
Loop (from Clark/Lake) to 54th/Cermak at 5:15
Thu 12/11
Blue Line
Departing:
O’Hare to Forest Park at 4:17
Forest Park to O’Hare at 6:56
Fri 12/12
Blue Line
Departing:
O’Hare to Forest Park at 4:13
Forest Park to O’Hare at 6:02
Sat 12/13
Blue Line & Pink Line & Photos with Santa
Departing:
Racine to Forest Park at 2:08
Forest Park to O’Hare at 3:56
Tue 12/16
Red Line
Departing:
Howard to 95th/Dan Ryan at 2:43
95th/Dan Ryan to Howard at 4:19

Wed 12/17
Purple Line
Departing:
Howard to Linden at 3:15
Linden to Loop, via express, at 3:50
Loop (from Merchandise Mart) to Linden at 4:53
Linden to Howard at 6:00

Thu 12/18
Red Line
Departing:
Howard to 95th/Dan Ryan at 3:13
95th/Dan Ryan to Howard at 4:46
Fri 12/19
Purple Line
Departing:
Howard to Linden at 3:45
Linden to Loop, via express, at 4:20
Loop (from Merchandise Mart) to Linden at 5:23
Linden to Howard at 6:20
Sat 12/20
Red Line & Purple Line
Departing:
Howard to 95th/Dan Ryan at 12:36
95th/Dan Ryan to Linden at 3:21
Linden to Howard at 6:51
Mon 12/22
Yellow Line
All trains on Yellow Line will be 2-car Holiday Trains for service departing:
Howard from 3:08 until 6:53
Dempster-Skokie from 3:31 until 7:16

Holiday Bus Schedule

11/25
#56 Milwaukee, Approx. 11:45a until 5:00p

11/26
#56 Milwaukee,
Approx. 11:45a until 5:30p
Photos at Jefferson Park
Approx. 3:00p-4:00p

11/28
#22 Clark
Approx. 12:45p until 8:10p

11/29
#22 Clark
#97 Skokie
Approx. 12:30p until 7:00p
Photos at Old Orchard Mall
Approx. 1:30p-2:30p

11/30
#91 Austin/
#81 Lawrence
Approx. 11:50a until 6:40p
Photos at Jefferson Park
Approx. 1:50p-2:50p

12/2
#74 Fullerton
Approx. 12:15p until 6:30p

12/3
#53 Pulaski
Approx. 10:10a until 6:10p
Photos at Ford City
Approx. 4:00p-5:00p

12/4
#20 Madison
Approx. 11:35p until 7:10p
Photos at Jackson/Austin
Approx. 3:10p-4:10p

12/5
#126 Jackson
Approx. 12:30p until 7:05p

12/6
#12 Roosevelt
Approx. 12:15p until 7:45p
Photos at Harrison/Central
Approx. 2:30p-3:30p

12/9
#62 Archer
Approx. 12:25p until 5:50p
Photos at Midway
Approx. 1:50p-2:50p

12/10
#49 Western
#X49 Western Exp.
Approx. 11:30a until 5:50p
Photos at 79/Western
Approx. 3:08p-4:08p

12/11
#79 79th
Approx. 12:10p until 5:40p

12/12
#3 King Drive
Approx. 12:45p until 7:00p

12/13
#4 Cottage Grove
Approx. 11:25p until 6:15p
Photos at Randolph/Columbus
Approx. 1:15p-2:15p

12/16
#28 Stony Island
Approx. 12:45p until 7:30p
Photos at Union Station
Approx. 4:18p-5:18p

12/17
#J14 Jeffrey Jump
Approx. 11:50a until 6:50p

12/18
#6 Jackson Park
Approx. 2:20p until 5:00p

12/19
#29 State
Approx. 2:25p until 5:45p

12/20
#29 State
Approx. 12:15p until 7:30p
Photos at Navy Pier
Approx. 1:50p-2:50p

For more information and for the bus schedule, visit www.transitchicago.com/holidayfleet/