– Nov 30 Parry Sound, Ontario Jade Eagleson and Teigen Gayse – Festival Station – 1 Avenue Road

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced the schedule and artist line up for the 2025 Holiday Train, a festive celebration combining musical performances and holiday cheer kicking off with its first show on Nov. 19 in Montreal, Que. Now in its 27th year, the Holiday Train raises money and collects food across CPKC’s extensive network in Canada and the United States supporting community food banks and making a real difference for families in need.

“Every year, our railroaders take great pride in bringing the Holiday Train across our network, this year reaching even more communities for the first time,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “We are thrilled to send this beautiful train filled with lights and music to spread the joy of the season and proud to support the giving spirit of the holidays assisting people experiencing food insecurity. It’s incredible to see communities come together every year to celebrate the holidays while supporting local food banks.”

Holiday Train Highlights

• 196 live music shows in six provinces and 13 U.S. states. Thirteen communities will be visited by the Holiday Train for the first time, with new stops in Maine (1), Louisiana (6), Oklahoma (1), Texas (4) and Ontario (1).
• Performers include Barenaked Ladies, Smash Mouth, Tyler Shaw, Brittany Kennell, Jade Eagleson, JJ Wilde, American Authors, Pynk Beard, Teigen Gayse, Lanco, Tiera Kennedy, and Dylan Marlowe.
• Since 1999, more than $26 million and over 5.4 million pounds of food for community food banks have been collected in Canada and the U.S.

“At East Side Neighborhood Services, our Food Programs are dedicated to providing consistent and dignified food access, especially for older adults and families in our community,” said Mary Ostapenko Anstett, President, East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis, Minn. “The Holiday Train brings more than donations — it brings hope, awareness and critical support at a time when it’s needed most. With the help of our community partners such as CPKC, we remain committed to ensuring that access to food doesn’t become an added burden for our neighbors.”

Ed Robertson with the Barenaked Ladies, performing on the Holiday Train with stops in Alberta and British Columbia, adds, “I can’t imagine a better way to visit some of Canada’s beautiful mountain towns than by riding the CPKC Holiday Train. It’s going to be a great time for a great cause!”

The festive atmosphere created by the brightly decorated Holiday Train and engaging musical performances embody the spirit of the holidays. Each event is free, with CPKC encouraging attendees to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation as local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop.

This year’s Holiday Train in the United States will feature a new light display honouring the legacy of ‘Rudy’ and the recently retired Kansas City Southern Holiday Express train that operated across the U.S. South for nearly a quarter century.

A full schedule and details of this year’s Holiday Train are available at cpkcr.com/holidaytrain.

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“I am continually amazed with the excitement and enthusiasm the Holiday Train generates during its annual journey across North America as it celebrates the holiday season while supporting local communities and charities,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thank you to the thousands of individuals, young and old, who joined us this year to see the Holiday Train during its magical trip and gave so generously to support local organizations helping those in need.”

Holiday Train Highlights

• Since 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $26.1 million and collected over 5.4 million pounds of food for local food banks in Canada and the United States.
• Visited Saint John, N.B. on Nov. 21 for the Holiday Train’s first-ever stop in Atlantic Canada.
• Hosted 166 live music shows in seven provinces and 13 states.
• Performers included James Barker Band, Clerel, Tyler Shaw, Shawnee Kish, Magic!, Sofia Camara, American Authors, KT Tunstall, Tiera Kennedy, Seaforth, Alana Springsteen, The Lone Bellow. 

Additionally, the CPKC Holiday Express train raised over $108,000 for local food banks this year after visiting 13 communities in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

CPKC also operated the Tren Navideño, a specially-decorated train adorned with lights and festive scenes, bringing the holiday spirit to nine communities across Mexico as part of a unique holiday tradition running since 2010.

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Kish returned on Oct. 24 with the release of “Brother”, an emotional ballad exploring the raw emotions that come with making the difficult decision to step away from someone who isn’t good for you, no matter the love that remains. Through Kish’s quintessential heartfelt lyricism, “Brother” beautifully captures the struggle and complexity of such moments, offering a gentle reminder that prioritizing mental and emotional health is a vital act of self-love, even if it means navigating the bittersweet nature of wishing the best for those we know we must also leave behind.

“With ‘Brother,’ I wanted to create a space for reflection and understanding in the midst of heartache. This song is a tribute to the complex emotions we face when we have to let someone go, and the strength it takes to prioritize our own well-being,” shares Kish. “I hope listeners find solace in the words of goodbye, knowing that love is messy and complicated and you can still wish someone well on their journey apart from you because that’s what love really means to me.”

Kish has had a transformative year, embracing her new role as a first-time mom, being named one of TikTok’s 2024 Indigenous Visionary Voices, and channeling these experiences into her music. She has been busy writing and recording new material, developing a body of work that reflects her most raw and vulnerable creations yet.

Earlier this year, Kish released the poignant tribute “Dear Dad,” followed by “Reclaim,” a powerful narrative of transformation where she turns pain into pride and reclaims her story with resolute courage. Now, with “I’m Alive” marking a defining moment in her evolution, and today’s release of “Brother”, she continues to push creative boundaries while fighting for representation and respect.

Kish will join the CP Holiday Train as it makes stops across Canada and the U.S. from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8, bringing her powerful performances to audiences far and wide.

Shawnee Kish – CP Holiday Train Schedule

Wednesday November 27 – Byron, IL
Thursday November 28 – Finch, ON
Thursday November 28 – Merrickville, ON
Thursday November 28 – Smiths Falls, ON
Thursday November 28 – Perth, ON
Friday November 29 – Belleville, ON
Friday November 29 – Trenton, ON
Friday November 29 – Brighton, ON
Friday November 29 – Bowmanville, ON
Friday November 29 – Oshawa, ON
Friday November 29 – Toronto, ON
Saturday November 30 – Vaughan, ON
Saturday November 30 – Midhurst (Barrie), ON
Saturday November 30 – MacTier, ON
Saturday November 30 – Parry Sound, ON
Saturday November 30 – Shawanaga, ON
Saturday November 30 – Rutter, ON
Saturday November 30 – Sudbury, ON
Sunday December 1 – Cartier, ON
Sunday December 1 – Chapleau, ON
Sunday December 1 – White River, ON
Monday December 2 – Mobert, ON
Monday December 2 – Heron Bay, ON
Monday December 2 – Marathon, ON
Monday December 2 – Schreiber, ON
Monday December 2 – Nipigon, ON
Monday December 2 – Thunder Bay
Tuesday December 3 – Ignace, ON
Tuesday December 3 – Dryden, ON
Tuesday December 3 – Vermillion Bay, ON
Tuesday December 3 – Kenora, ON
Tuesday December 3 – Ingolf, ON
Tuesday December 3 – Whitemouth, MB
Tuesday December 3 – Winnipeg, MB
Thursday December 5 – Portage La Prairie, MB
Thursday December 5 – Carberry, MB
Thursday December 5 – Brandon, MB
Friday December 6 – Virden, MB
Friday December 6 – Moosomin, SK
Friday December 6 – Indian Head, SK
Friday December 6 – Qu’Appelle, SK
Friday December 6 – Regina, SK
Saturday December 7 – Moose Jaw, SK
Sunday December 8 – Maple Creek, SK
Sunday December 8 – Tilley, AB
Sunday December 8 – Gleichen, AB

For more details about the CP Holiday Train tour, click here.

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“The Holiday Train unites people in the spirit of the season as it travels across Canada and the United States, while generating critical support for our neighbours in need through the program’s support of local food banks,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “We are pleased to again send this magical train on a four-week trip across our network spreading holiday joy as we collect food and raise money to fight food insecurity. We look forward to again seeing all the smiles and cheers from people young and old coming together in the spirit of giving.”

Holiday Train Highlights

• Since 1999, more than $24.3 million and over 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks have been collected in Canada and the U.S.
• Visiting Saint John, N.B. for the first time.
• 167 live music shows in 7 provinces and 13 states.
• Performers include James Barker Band, Clerel, Tyler Shaw, Shawnee Kish, Magic!, Sofia Camara, American Authors, KT Tunstall, Tiera Kennedy, Seaforth, Alana Springsteen, The Lone Bellow.

“At the Airdrie Food Bank, we are thrilled to welcome the CPKC Holiday Train back to our community. This event brings families and neighbours together in the true spirit of the season, all while supporting the vital work of local food banks,” said Christine Taylor, Marketing and Communications Manager at Airdire Food Bank. “We deeply appreciate CPKC’s ongoing commitment to helping us ensure that no one in Airdrie goes hungry, especially during the holidays. It’s a heartwarming tradition that not only spreads joy but also gives back in a meaningful way.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the CPKC Holiday Train back to Mechanicville! With 26 years of dedication, the CPKC Holiday Train has been instrumental in helping us combat hunger and raise awareness about food insecurity in and around our local community,” said Tammy Alikonis, Director of Outreach & Development, Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. “It’s a festive way to kick off the holiday season, bringing the community together and supporting food pantries along the way. We are extremely grateful for their commitment and continued support! #ItTakesACommunity to build a stronger community!”

“There’s no energy quite like it. Every stop the CPKC Holiday Train makes, you can feel and see everyone coming together in kindness, strength and compassion,” said Tyler Shaw, Canadian singer and actor. “The music I get to perform on the train is the cherry on top, the real magic comes from how generous and loving the communities are. It’s powerful to be a part of!”

The Holiday Express train will make 13 public stops across CPKC’s network in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The festive six-car Holiday Express train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families as it supports local food banks.

A full schedule and details of this year’s Holiday Train and Holiday Express train is available at cpkcr.com/holidaytrain.

Each event is free, with CPKC encouraging every attendee to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation to ease hunger needs in their community. Local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop to help ensure those in need can access adequate food this holiday season and year-round.

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Completing its 25^th year, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and collected approximately 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the United States since its inaugural journey back in 1999.

Additionally, the CPKC Holiday Express train this year visited 20 communities in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi raising US$200,000 for the Salvation Army.

“Once again, people in big cities and small towns across the CPKC network came together to celebrate the season and support their local communities,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “We wish to thank the hundreds of thousands who gathered to see the Holiday Train over the past four weeks and express our gratitude to all those who gave so generously to support local food banks.”

CPKC Holiday Train concerts ran between Nov. 21 and Dec. 19, featuring performances by musical artists Virginia to Vegas, Trudy, Anyway Gang, Tyler Shaw, Kiesza, Seaforth, Tenille Townes, Breland, MacKenzie Porter and Dallas Smith.

This year’s Holiday Train concert tour stopped in 191 communities in six Canadian provinces and 14 U.S. states and for the first time traveled to communities south of Kansas City, Mo. in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.

CPKC also operated the Tren Navideño, a specially-decorated train adorned with lights and festive scenes, bringing the holiday spirit to nine communities across Mexico as part of a unique holiday tradition running since 2010.

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The CP Holiday Train has now raised more than $22.4 million and collected 5.15 million pounds of food since its inaugural journey back in 1999.

“We are overjoyed with the support we received from people across the CP network who came together to celebrate the season while braving the elements in support of their community and those in need,” said CP President and CEO Keith Creel. “We are reminded how important the CP Holiday Train program is for communities and we were thrilled to be back in support of the critical work that local food banks do across Canada and the United States.”

After returning to the rails this season on its first cross-continent tour in three years, following virtual concerts in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the CP Holiday Train program drew exceptional crowds and thousands of people to the free concerts in the 168 communities it visited.

CP Holiday Train concerts ran between Nov. 23 and Dec. 19, featuring performances by award-winning and up-and-coming artists, including Aysanabee, Don Amero, Alan Doyle, Lindsay Ell, Brittney Kennel, JoJo Mason, Kelly Prescott, McKenzie Porter, Tenille Townes and Virginia To Vegas.

And just like that, the #CPHolidayTrain is done its 2022 tour! Thank you to everyone across Canada and the U.S. who came out to support food banks and listen to the incredible performances. Please consider donating to a food bank near you this holiday season. Until next year! pic.twitter.com/ZhwJcjV3u2

— CPKC (@CPKCrail) December 20, 2022

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“I’m grateful to the CP team members who adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver two exceptional virtual Holiday Train shows and to all those who continued to donate while we kept community members safe,” said Keith Creel, CP’s president and chief executive officer. “The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need. We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving.”

The 2022 tour will launch on Nov. 23 with the Holiday Train’s first-ever Maine shows in Jackman, Brownville Junction and Hermon. Also for the first time, the Holiday Train will host shows on Nov. 24 in Lac-Megantic, Sherbrooke and Farnham, Que.; the first Canadian stops of 2022.

The tour will feature 168 live shows, including Toronto on Nov. 29 and shows in Barrie, MacTier and Parry Sound on Nov. 30. A full schedule is available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Live music is essential to the CP Holiday Train experience. This year’s performers will include Alan Doyle, Tenille Townes, Mackenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell, to name a few. Details about this year’s artists and which performers will play which shows are available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Holiday Train shows are free to attend. CP asks attendees to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if they’re able. Local food shelves will set up collection stations at each event, with all donations made staying with the local food bank to help people in need in the community. Because local food shelves buy food at a discount, cash donations can go further than food donations to help those in need.

“Food banks and communities across Canada are so excited to see the CP Holiday Train return, as it brings together the City of Calgary to kick off the holidays and give back at the same time,” said Calgary Food Bank President and CEO James McAra. “The Calgary Food Bank is so grateful for CP’s continued support to help us build a Canada where no one goes hungry.”

Since the Holiday Train program launched in 1999, it’s raised more than $21 million and collected 5 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America.

“This year, more than ever, the support, awareness and goodwill that the CP Holiday Train brings will make an impact beyond imagination to the food support programs of East Side Neighborhood Services,” said Mary Anstett, Vice President, Community Engagement for East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis. “With the support that Holiday Train brings in, we can rest assured that so many will have warm nutritious food on their tables in the coldest months.”

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“The spirit of the Holiday Train is about giving generously and inspiring those around us to give as well,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “While we are disappointed we again cannot bring the Holiday Train to communities, we are honored to run a virtual program and continue to support communities and food banks across our network as they work to address food insecurity in North America.”

Since its inception in 1999, the CP Holiday Train has raised $19.4 million and collected 4.9 million pounds of food for community food banks along CP’s network. CP will again donate to all food banks that would ordinarily benefit from a Holiday Train stop, including those that typically receive the train in alternating years.

“Throughout the pandemic, the need for emergency food support has grown tremendously, and we are grateful to be one of the charities benefiting from the CP Holiday Train this year,” said Vince Barletta, Harvest Manitoba CEO. “CP’s Holiday Train shines a light on food insecurity in communities like ours, and the funds raised help us ensure that no Manitoban goes hungry throughout the holiday season and beyond.”

Live music has always been part of the CP Holiday Train tradition. To maintain that tradition, CP will produce a virtual benefit concert, with details to be announced in the weeks ahead.

“We’re looking forward to Canadian Pacific’s virtual concert this year and we’re glad CP has found a safe way for everyone to get into the spirit of the season,” said Valerie Nicholson-Watson, President and CEO of Harvesters — The Community Food Network, a Kansas City, Mo.-based Holiday Train beneficiary food bank. “We appreciate CP’s generous donations to Harvesters, which have allowed us to provide nutritious food to the children, families and seniors that depend on assistance from our partner network agencies. Thank you, CP, for your continued support to our mission of feeding hungry people today and working to end hunger tomorrow.”

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