The CP Holiday Train is a Canadian Christmas train tradition that makes stops in Agassiz, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.
The train travels across Canada from late November until mid-December each year. It stops in communities and hosts free evenings of live music and family-friendly fun along the way.
Last year, the train visited Agassiz, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on December 17th. It was also in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam on December 18th. The train’s stop in Vancouver during 2024’s holiday season is to be confirmed.
Holiday Train Concerts & Fundraising Events
The CP Holiday Train has been a Christmas tradition of the Canadian Pacific Railway for more than 20 years. The train travels across both Canada and the United States. At each stop, there is a concert and local food bank volunteers collect cash and food donations.
Since the train’s running in 1999, thousands of people have been entertained in communities across the country. Over 4.5 million pounds of food and close to $16 million in donations have been collected because of this fun event. At each stop people from the community donate food and cash. The CPR also makes a donation, usually of several thousand dollars, at each location.
Free Live Music from the CP Train
There is typically at least one fairly high-profile musician who gives a short concert on the train.
In 2023 there were two different featured artists. Tyler Shaw and Kiesza performed at each stop in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
The CP Holiday Train requests donations of cash or food. Any non-perishable food items or amounts of cash are accepted. It’s a fun event supporting a great cause, so donate generously!
CP Holiday Train in 2023
In 2023 the CP Holiday Train made five stops in the Lower Mainland. The same as in other recent years, the free concerts took place over two days in Agassiz, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.
Train visits and concert details for 2023 are listed below.
Agassiz on December 17th, 2023
The first Lower Mainland stop of the CP Holiday Train in 2023 was outside the Agassiz Agra Centre on Pioneer Avenue. It arrived in the community at around 5:30 pm. The entertainment ran from 5:45 pm until 6:15 pm.
Food and cash donations collected benefitted the Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Society.
Maple Ridge on December 17th, 2023
The CP Holiday Train visited Maple Ridge by the Port Haney West Coast Express train stop across from Billy Miner Pub at 22355 River Road.
The event took place in Maple Ridge on December 17th (shortly after the event in Agassiz). The train was scheduled to arrive at the Maple Ridge location at 7:50 pm. Tyler Shaw and Kiesza performed from 8:00 pm until 8:30 pm.
Donations collected benefitted the local Friends in Need Food Bank.
Pitt Meadows on December 17th, 2023
The Pitt Meadows event took place at the railway crossing at the West Coast Express Station at the corner of Harris Road and Advent Road. The location is near the Pitt Meadows Museum General Store at 12294 Harris Road.
The train was expected to pull up at around 8:55 pm on December 17th. That was just after its stop in Maple Ridge on the same night. The free outdoor concert in Pitt Meadows happened from 9:05 pm until 9:35 pm.
Donations of cash and food benefitted the Friends in Need Food Bank.
Port Moody on December 18th, 2023
The CP Holiday Train visited Port Moody behind the Rec Centre at 300 loco Road. It arrived at 5:20 pm on December 18th. The train stayed until around 6:15 pm.
The festivities in Port Moody typically run for an extra couple of hours. In previous years there were bonfires, craft activities, carol singing and other things to do nearby on the same evening. Whether or not this was the case in 2023 was to be confirmed. Click Port Moody Event for more information about 2022’s evening of activities.
Donations received benefitted Share Family & Community Services.
Port Coquitlam on December 18th, 2023
Port Coquitlam also got its CP Holiday Train visit on December 18th (shortly after the concert in Port Moody). The train was at the Port Coquitlam West Coast Express Station at 2125 Kingsway Avenue from 7:05 pm until 7:45 pm.
The same as all of the other events in the Lower Mainland, entertainment was provided by Tyler Shaw and Kiesza.
Donations of food and cash collected benefitted Share Family & Community Services.
What to Expect at the CP Holiday Train Events
At each stop of the CP Holiday Train, you can expect to see a few thousand people and train cars with Christmas lights. The train pulls up, the stage door lowers, the bands get ready and then the music plays for about 30 minutes.
During the event, partway through the selection of Christmas-themed tunes, there is usually an official welcome and presentation by local dignitaries and folks from the local food bank.
Lasting for only around 45 minutes from start to finish, the events are pretty small and short, but they are fun, and the music is great.
The Holiday Train itself is approximately 1,000 feet long and consists of two GP20C 2200 series locomotives. The train’s more than 12 rail cars are decorated with Christmas LED lights. You can’t go on the locomotive, but it’s exciting to see.
Don’t forget to take non-perishable food items and/or cash to donate to your local food bank if you attend the event!
CP Holiday Train Christmas Video
Below is a video of the CP Holiday Train in 2018. The scene is of the train and its cars just after its concert with the Sam Roberts Band and just before it departed for its next stop in Port Coquitlam.
Other Information
For more details about the events, see the CP Holiday Train website.
For ideas on other things to do check out the following:
