A dazzling holiday tradition is set to light up Minnesota once again — and this year’s lineup might just surprise you. The legendary Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is rolling back into action, bringing festive cheer, live music, and community spirit in a way that’s hard to match. Running from November 22nd through December 18th, this iconic train will make its Minnesota stops between December 12th and December 17th — but here’s where it gets exciting: two major acts will be sharing the spotlight.
For the first leg of the Minnesota tour, indie-pop favorites American Authors, best known for their smash hit Best Day of My Life, will take the stage aboard the gleaming, brightly lit train. The second half shifts gears to country energy, with Lanco performing their heartfelt chart-topper Greatest Love Story. It’s a rare opportunity to catch two very different yet equally captivating styles in one magical travelling event.
Full Minnesota Stop Schedule
December 12 - 2:15 p.m. - La Crescent (American Authors)
December 12 - 3:45 p.m. - Winona (American Authors)
December 12 - 5:45 p.m. - Wabasha (American Authors)
December 12 - 7:15 p.m. - Red Wing (American Authors)
December 12 - 8:45 p.m. - Hastings (American Authors)
December 13 - 5:15 p.m. - Cottage Grove (American Authors)
December 13 - 7:00 p.m. - St. Paul / Union Depot (American Authors)
December 14 - 5:00 p.m. - Golden Valley (American Authors)
December 14 - 6:15 p.m. - St. Louis Park (American Authors)
December 14 - 8:15 p.m. - Minneapolis (American Authors)
December 15 - 4:30 p.m. - Loretto (Lanco)
December 15 - 6:00 p.m. - Buffalo (Lanco)
December 15 - 7:30 p.m. - Annandale (Lanco)
December 15 - 9:00 p.m. - Eden Valley (Lanco)
December 16 - 10:15 a.m. - Glenwood (Lanco)
December 16 - 11:45 a.m. - Alexandria (Lanco)
December 16 - 2:45 p.m. - Detroit Lakes (Lanco)
December 16 - 4:20 p.m. - Mahnomen (Lanco)
December 16 - 6:15 p.m. - Plummer (Lanco)
December 16 - 7:45 p.m. - Thief River Falls (Lanco)
December 17 - 4:30 p.m. - Elbo Lake (Lanco)
More Than Just a Concert
If you’ve never been, here’s what sets the Holiday Train apart. These are free performances, delivered from a fully decorated railcar that transforms into a stage under the winter night sky. At every Minnesota stop, Canadian Pacific will donate to the local food bank, encouraging visitors to bring their own contributions — whether it’s a healthy grocery item or a cash donation. The impact? Since its debut in 1999, the Holiday Train has raised over $26 million and collected roughly 5.4 million pounds of food for communities across Canada and the U.S.
But here’s the part most people miss: while it’s a feel-good tradition, not everyone agrees on whether such big events should lean so heavily on corporate branding. Is the train a genuine gift of goodwill — or a polished piece of marketing dressed up with holiday lights?
What do you think? Is the Holiday Train pure holiday magic, or is it a little more complicated? Share your thoughts in the comments.
