Arts & Entertainment
Metra 2026 Holiday Train Schedule Announced. Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look
Metra electrician Dan Brenes works on a miniature train display aboard a Metra holiday train on Oct. 27, 2026, at the 18th Street railyard. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Metra’s holiday trains are preparing to make their return this upcoming holiday season — and WTTW News got a preview of what riders can expect.
The Metra holiday trains will run on six lines, the Chicago-area commuter rail system announced Monday. The popular holiday-themed trains are expected to have special round-trip runs with holiday characters on select weekends this holiday season. The trains also run as part of regular service.
This year will mark Metra’s fifth year of holiday train rides. Tickets are expected to sell out fast.
Each holiday train on the different Metra lines is decorated differently, and each train car has a different holiday theme, according to Rich Pickens, electric director for Metra’s mechanical department. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Dates and schedules for each train are linked below:
Dec. 5
Dec 12
Dec. 13
Dec. 19
Additionally, on the Metra Electric line on Dec. 12, 13 and 19, the holiday train will deliver riders to a “winter wonderland” at Millennium Station featuring games, treats, a visit with Santa and other activities, according to Metra.
Rich Pickens, electric director for Metra’s mechanical department, gives a walkthrough of a nearly finished holiday train for the Metra Electric line on Oct. 27, 2026. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
WTTW News recently visited the 18th Street railyard to get a preview of the holiday trains, and to see the behind-the-scenes work involved in transforming trains for the holiday season. Rich Pickens, a director of mechanical operations for Metra, gave a walkthrough of a nearly finished holiday train for the Metra Electric line.
“It’s magical,” Pickens said. “When the kids get on, it takes me back to when I was little. Christmas was always a magical time and just to see the smile on people’s faces, it’s priceless.”
Pickens said he hopes the trains can bring joy to people’s morning commutes.
On the holiday trains WTTW News toured, train car interiors were covered in holiday wrapping and multi-colored lights, presents, garlands, miniature train setups, winter wonderland scenes, holiday-themed neon signs, ribbons, ornaments, a fake fireplace, and decorations and displays featuring familiar holiday characters.
Metra electrician Osceola Tines installs lights on a holiday train on Oct. 27, 2026, at the 18th Street railyard. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Each holiday train on the different Metra lines is decorated differently, according to Pickens.
A lot of behind-the-scenes work is involved in preparing Metra’s holiday trains, according to Pickens. For instance, each train car offers a different theme, and involves the work of carpenters, electricians and cleaners to build out the displays, install lighting elements and decorate.
Metra employees typically start planning the holiday trains in September and the trains are ready by late November, according to Pickens.
Peep the miniature Metra train! (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
“We’re lucky over here that we have the talented employees that we do and the creative minds that we do,” Pickens said. “The Metra holiday train is an opportunity for Metra to explore and present the holidays as our employees see it, how they built it. … They’ve done an amazing job.”
More details on the holiday trains are on Metra’s website.
Tickets go on sale Nov. 16 at noon. Tickets cost $10. There is a limit of five tickets per purchase. Tickets are expected to sell out fast. Last year, they sold out within four minutes, according to a spokesperson.
This year will mark Metra’s fifth year of holiday train rides. The popular holiday-themed trains are expected to have special runs on select weekends across various lines this holiday season. The trains also run as part of regular service. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
