Northern Illinois Transit Authority invites the region to ride into the holidays with CTA, Metra and Pace

Agencies release schedule and ticket information for holiday buses and trains

CHICAGO - Nov. 2, 2026 - The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is thrilled to join the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace in inviting residents and visitors aboard holiday buses and trains all across the region. The Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Bus will release schedule information Nov. 16; Metra's Holiday Trains' schedule is out now with tickets on sale Nov. 16; and Pace will once again offer holiday buses beginning in late November.

Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Bus

The Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Holiday Bus will return for the 2026 season, bringing Santa, sparkling lights and festive decorations to all eight rail lines and 20 bus routes.

Now in its 35th year, the Holiday Train features six passenger cars decorated with more than 100,000 lights and an open-air flatcar carrying Santa, his sleigh, reindeer and decorated holiday trees. The 60-foot Holiday Bus features more than 1,800 feet of LED rope and pod lighting, with holiday music playing and new festive decorations inside adding to the celebration as Santa greets customers from the bus's roof hatch.

The celebration also continues CTA's longstanding tradition of giving back. Employees donate their time and money to purchase groceries and assemble approximately 400 food baskets for delivery to local community organizations.

Both vehicles operate as part of regular service, and normal CTA fares apply. Photo opportunities with Santa will be available on designated dates. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, as space is limited and boarding is not guaranteed.

Full schedules and additional details will be announced soon at transitchicago.com/holidayfleet. Once service begins, customers can follow the Holiday Train using CTA Train Tracker, where it is identified by a candy cane icon, and locate the Holiday Bus using CTA's dedicated Holiday Bus Tracker.

Metra Holiday Trains

Metra's wildly popular Holiday Trains are back and ready to spread holiday cheer throughout the season on six Metra lines.

Specially decorated trains with holiday characters will make round trips on the BNSF, Milwaukee District North and Rock Island lines on Dec. 5; the UP Northwest Line on Dec. 12; and the UP North Line on Dec. 19.

And on the Metra Electric Line on Dec. 12, 13 and 19, decorated trains with holiday characters will deliver riders to a winter wonderland at Millennium Station featuring games, treats, Santa and other activities.

Tickets go on sale at noon on Nov. 16 at shop.metra.com and are expected to sell out fast. Tickets cost $10 each and must be purchased in advance. There is a limit of five tickets per purchase. More details, including the schedule for each train, can be found at metra.com/HolidayTrains.

The decorated trains will also be used in regular service throughout the month to spread holiday cheer.

Pace Holiday Buses

Pace will once again offer one holiday bus at each of the agency's nine garages beginning in late November. Each bus will travel in normal operations on a daily basis until the new year, and normal Pace fares apply.