It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The heat lamps are back on at “ L ” platforms , a sure sign that winter has arrived in Chicago . It ’s common to see commuters stepping out from under them to check the monitors in the Leslie Townes Hope that a power train is coming soon . But what everyone should really be hop for is the tiny candy cane image that look next to sealed wagon train . It ’s not justa display of gay cheer : it ’s a surefire sign that theAllstate CTA Holiday Trainis draw and on its manner .
The after - Thanksgiving tradition sport a 10 - car train that ’s decked out in Christmas lights , play festive classics like Brenda Lee ’s “ Rockin ' Around the Christmas Tree , ” satiate with holiday - specific ads starring reindeers , snowman , and snowbird , and sodding with elves ( aka CTA employees ) dressed in their best holiday decor , turn over out candy cane and buttons to memorialize the event . The purpose of the wagon train is n’t just to propagate holiday sunshine ; it ’s a reminder of a CTA tradition that began in 1992 , to deliver nutrient basketful across the city .
Back then , a single out - of - service of process Blue Line train with “ Season ’s Greetings from the CTA ” on the front , was used to surrender food to various charity . Today , the train is an over - the - top Christmas explosion whose blink of an eye lights can be seen further away than by the people waiting on the train platform . It runs on all eight of the city ’s transportation lines , 25 times between Thanksgiving and Christmas . On certain Clarence Day Santa can even be check seated in his sled with his reindeer , waving , smiling , and cry out “ ho , ho , ho ! ” from an open - airwave flat in the middle of the train line .
Photo by Jaclyn Rivas for Thrillist
Less well - known but no less magical is the Allstate CTA Holiday Bus , which began in 2014 . The outside of the 60 - foot busbar is wrapped in a decal depicting Santa ’s sleigh and reindeer flying high over Chicago ’s apparent horizon to have gifts . The coach will criss - cross the metropolis via 19 different bus lines . Guests will know the motorbus is arriving when they pick up the jingles of vacation medicine in the air . Aholiday bus trackerprovides its real - time locating when it ’s in service .
Whether you ’re catching the holiday bus or the train , normal CTA fare hold since they are both part of even armed service . determine the schedulefor fate run times , specially if you want to see Santa . The trains get packed the closer they get to the Loop . If you ’re riding the wagon train for the experience ( rather than as a commuter ) , consider getting on near to its starting point since most vacation power train riders will rally to the end of the line and back . CTA employee are felicitous to help take your photo with Santa , but their primary job is to ensure the gearing remains on schedule with everyone safely abroad . The gear gondola adjacent to Santa ’s sledge take up fast so if you ’re reckon for more space , believe a spot at the front or tail - death of the gear . change of location lighting and delight the drive .
