To many, catching a glimpse of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train as it passes through parts of southeast Michigan each holiday season is a beloved tradition.
This year, following a 6-6:30 p.m. event in Windsor, Ontario, on Monday, Nov. 25, the holiday train hosted by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railroad company will pass through southwest Detroit, Melvindale, Allen Park, Taylor, Romulus, Belleville, Milan, Britton, Adrian, Sand Creek and several other areas before continuing to Franklin Park, Illinois.
The exact timing of when the train will pass through the Michigan cities on its path remains unclear. It must go through customs as it heads into the U.S. and could make several stops as other rail traffic has the right of way. In the past, the train has entered Detroit around 9 p.m.
The holiday train's tour and scheduled events will run from Nov. 21 through Dec. 20, across Canada and the U.S.
Although it has never stopped for an event in Michigan, crowds have gathered to watch the train roll through the state year after year, adorned in colorful Christmas lights. Here are several spots to gather with loved ones to view the holiday train on the evening of Nov. 25.
Carbon Athletic Club's annual holiday train party in Detroit
Since it is situated right along the tracks, the Carbon Athletic Club in Detroit hosts a holiday train watch party that doubles as the club's largest fundraiser each year. Offering the perfect view, the party attracts about 500-700 attendees, said the club's president, MaryBeth Beaudry.
This year, the event will feature live music, carnival games and prizes, carolers, bonfires, hot dogs, chili, donuts, hot chocolate, and a whiskey-tasting outdoor bar sponsored by Heaven Hill Brands. A children's zone will also be available where kids can make ornaments, write letters to Santa, and more.
Tickets are $10 for entry. Carnival games, food, and drinks are available at an additional cost. Those who purchase $30 VIP Stroh’s & PBR Admission tickets will have access to a separate bar with unlimited Stroh’s and PBR throughout the night. VIP ticket holders will also receive some swag to take home. Members of the the Carbon Athletic Club and kids aged 12 and under can attend for free.
In previous years, the train has passed through the Detroit area between 9 and 10 p.m., Beaudry said.
"We never know exactly when it's coming, but we do have Michigan Storm Chasers who are following it this year. We usually get about a half-hour heads up when it crosses over through customs, and we start alerting everybody inside to head outside because the train is about to come. We have security keeping people back from the train, and it's just a super cool event," she told the Free Press. "It's our largest fundraiser of the year; it pays our bills for several months. We're a nonprofit, so all the money that we make goes right back into the building and towards putting on our next event."
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. A GoFundMe was created for donations to the Carbon Athletic Club and the holiday train party.
- Location: 111 Gates St., Detroit
- Party begins at 6 p.m.
Holiday train tailgate and PJ party in Belleville
In collaboration with other local businesses, Detroit Mini Donuts is hosting a holiday train tailgate and PJ party in the parking lot of its new commissary kitchen that is located by the train tracks in Belleville. Entry is free but the event will feature various vendors to purchase food and drinks from — including Detroit Mini Donut, Creative Confections by Maria, Touch of Love Cookies LLC, Moon Sugar, King of Ribs, Poppin Palomitas, Popa's Sweet Heat, InfiniTeas and a freeze-dried candy maker.
With many on the hunt for Christmas gifts, handmade items from Northwood Custom Creations, Motor City Candleworks, Motor City Incense, and PJ's Beaded Pens n Things will also be available for purchase.
Several vendors will be handing out free samples. Frios Detroit, for example, will be offering free gourmet popsicles.
The building, formerly occupied by Firebird Foods until its closure in Sept. 2023, is currently being rented by Detroit Mini Donuts. The small donut business has turned the space into a commissary kitchen called DMD Kitchen Connect, said co-owner Karen Hudson. It currently serves as a hub for small businesses to expand their operations, but on Nov. 25, each participating business will have the opportunity to showcase what they offer.
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The event will keep people entertained while waiting for the train to pass the Belleville area, which is estimated to be around 11 p.m., Hudson said. Activities include contests, cupcake decorating, princess characters to help children with crafts, and more. Vendors will give out various contest prizes.
In addition to spreading holiday cheer, CPKC's mission with the holiday train is to raise donations for people struggling with food insecurity. But since a Michigan stop is not planned, non-perishable food donations are being accepted at the Belleville train party, in partnership with Faith Community Church in Belleville. The donations will be given to Owen's Community Closet and Food Pantry, a part of Van Buren Public Schools.
- Location: 149 South St. Belleville
- Party starts at 5 p.m.
Other popular viewing locations
For Tammy Jex Mayrend, a 55-year-old mother and substitute teacher from Ypsilanti Township, waiting for the holiday train is an opportunity to spend time with loved ones. She has been tracking the train and watching it roll by with her children for about a decade.
"It is best to be patient when waiting. We always bring snacks and beverages while listening to holiday music," Mayrend said.
The following locations are only a few of the popular viewing spots with no official events planned. People have previously gathered outside these businesses, which are located near the path of the train, to watch it pass by:
- Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park
- Bone Heads Bar B Que in Willis
- Hidalgo Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Belleville, which is across the street from the Detroit Mini Donut celebration.
- Original Gravity Brewing Co in Milan
Mayrend said there are usually several spotters along the I-94 Service Drive near the Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus.
Be cautious while watching the train pass. Always stay at least 50 feet from the tracks, dress warmly and do not illegally park your vehicle just to view the train.
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How to track the holiday train in Michigan
There are several resources to help people anticipate when the decorated train will approach their area:
- Michigan Storm Chasers will be posting updates to their Facebook.
- The CPKC Holiday Train 2024 Facebook page will post updates, viewing guides, location spotlights and more.
- The “Detroit Railroads - NS, Conrail, CP” feed on Broadcastify’s website or app gives listeners real-time rail communications from CPKC and other railroad crews. Users must listen carefully to decipher live updates on the holiday train's movements and locations.
For more information and to view an interactive map of the train's schedule, go toCPKC's website.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter@nrahal1.
