The CPKC Holiday Train will stop in Fort Macleod on Dec. 14 to raise money and donations for the local food bank.
The popular Holiday Train will stop in Fort Macleod on Sunday, Dec. 14.
The train, carrying entertainers such as The Barenaked Ladies, will stop at the Fifth Avenue railway crossing behind F.P. Walshe school at about 9:15 a.m.
The Salvation Army will be on hand to collect donations to the Fort Macleod food bank.
“Every year, our railroaders take great pride in bringing the Holiday Train across our network, this year reaching even more communities for the first time,” CPKC president and chief executive officer Keith Creel said.
“We are thrilled to send this beautiful train filled with lights and music to spread the joy of the season and proud to support the giving spirit of the holidays assisting people experiencing food insecurity. It’s incredible to see communities come together every year to celebrate the holidays while supporting local food banks.”
The Holiday Train arrives in Fort Macleod from Lethbridge, where it will stop at 10:15 a.m. near London Drugs at Second Avenue and 12th Street.
From Fort Macleod, the Holiday Train travels to Pincher Creek for a 10:45 a.m. stop at the Third Avenue railway crossing.
From there the train heads to Coleman for a 12:45 p.m. visit, and then on to Sparwood, Fernie, Jaffray and Cranbrook, all on Dec. 14.
The 2025 CPKC Holiday Train began its tour of Canada and the U.S. last Wednesday and will continue until Dec. 21.
Along the way, the Holiday Train helps raise money, food and awareness to support food banks.
Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train’s stage.
CPKC donates to the local food bank at each stop and encourages all attendees to make a monetary or food donation.
Since its inaugural journey in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $26 million and collected about 5.4 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the U.S.
For its past visits to Fort Macleod, the Holiday Train pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd.
The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song, followed by a brief presentation with local food bank officials and other dignitaries on stage.
Once the presentation is done, the band resumes the show with a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs and popular original songs.
After the final song, the boxcar door closes and the train is on its way to the next stop.
In addition to the Juno Award-winning Barenaked Ladies, entertainers aboard the Holiday Train on his two routes include Smash Mouth, American Authors, Brittany Kennell, Dylan Marlowe, Emily Ann Roberts, Jade Eagleson, Lanco, Pynk Beard, Teigen Gayse Tiera Kennedy and Tyler Shaw.
