CP Holiday Train in Port Moody

Port Moody celebrates the Christmas season with a visit by the CPKC Holiday Train, a free concert and family-friendly activities in December each year.

In 2025 the train stops in Port Moody on Friday, December 20th. Last year the performances were with MAGIC! and Sofia Camara. This year the featured band is The Bare Naked Ladies.

For information about the train in general and its stops in other Lower Mainland locations, see our article about the CPKC Holiday Train in the Vancouver Region. To learn about the event in Maple Ridge, continue reading.

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About the CPKC Holiday Train | About the Port Moody Event | Tips & Advice | CPKC Holiday Train Video | Other Information

Port Moody’s Holiday Train Christmas Event

The CPKC Holiday Train has visited the community of Port Moody just before Christmas for several years. The stop is one of the most festive in Metro Vancouver, with community celebrations that continue before and after the 30-minute train concert. The event in Port Coquitlam that same day is also big and includes the showing of the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the local community centre.

The same as in past years, in 2025 the train stops behind the Port Moody Recreation Complex at 300 Ioco Road. Last year the main concert ran from 5:45 to 6:15 pm. The broader event, meanwhile. stretched from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. It included bonfires, food vendors, crafts, and local performances. In 2025 the train is onsite between 5:15 and 5:45 pm, so half an hour earlier than last year. Details about what else is happening this year, however, are to be confirmed.

WINTER IN THE CITY

A number of great holiday events also happen in nearby Port Coquitlam each year. As part of Winter in the City, there is the Christmas in the Square & Winter Market (on November 29th), the Parade of Lights (on December 6th) and CPKC Holiday Train (on December 20th, so on the same day as the same event in Port Moody). Check out these events too if you can!

CP Train Christmas Lights — The CPKC Holiday Train

About the CPKC Holiday Train

The CPKC Holiday Train is a Canadian Pacific Kansas City initiative that travels across Canada and the United States. The train is decorated with festive lights. At each stop a stage door lowers, and professional musicians perform a free outdoor concert.

Since its first run in 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $26 million and collected close to 5.5 million pounds of food for food banks across North America. Last year alone, the Holiday Train raised over $1.7 million and collected more than 120,000 pounds of food.

The train makes five Lower Mainland stops each year. It visits Agassiz, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. At every stop CPKC donates to the local food bank and encourages attendees to contribute food or make a cash donation.

Rotarians Serving Hot Chocolate — Rotary Club Hot Chocolate Station

About the Port Moody Event

The official CPKC Holiday Train segment lasts approximately 30 minutes, but Port Moody’s festivities usually extend for two to three hours featuring music, crafts, food vendors and family activities before and after.

Last year activities included button-making, arts and crafts, food vendors and a large outdoor bonfire. Similar family-friendly programming is expected in 2025, with details to be confirmed later in the fall.

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your CPKC Holiday Train experience.

TIP #1: As this is a fundraising event, don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items or cash to donate to the food bank. In past years, proceeds from hot chocolate and other refreshments have supported the food bank. Fundraising details for 2025 will be confirmed closer to the event.

TIP #2: There are several CPKC Holiday Train events each year. If you live nearby, check it out! For the list of other locations in the Vancouver region, click CPKC Holiday Train in the Lower Mainland.

TIP #3: Advantages of going to the Port Moody event are that it lasts longer than most other CPKC Holiday Train events. There’s more to do and there are both indoor and outdoor activities. The event in Port Coquitlam, however, is similar.

TIP #4: A disadvantage of the Port Moody event is that it takes place earlier in the evening, which can mean fighting rush hour traffic to get there. Either plan to arrive early and do something beforehand, or take public transit. The Inlet Centre SkyTrain Station is just a 10-minute walk away.

TIP #5: Don’t forget to take an umbrella and a raincoat if the weather is not nice. If it has rained heavily in the days leading up to the event, wear boots, as the ground can get muddy and puddled.

TIP #6: Other Christmas-themed events you might want to check out in the Tri-Cities region include Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam and Winter in the City in Port Coquitlam.

CPKC Holiday Train Video

Check out the video below of the train cars, lights and music at the event in Port Moody from a previous year.

The concert and music featured in the video are performed by the Sam Roberts Band, along with Kelly Prescott, Tracey Brown, and Tyson Venegas, all of whom performed at the 2018 Port Moody event.