As the 2025 holiday season gets underway, multiple cities are celebrating the festive season using trains — from classic model trains to subways — as a means to light up the season.
Multiple train exhibits and passenger trains across the country — and the world — are decked-out in holiday gear in full swing through the Christmas season.
New York City
The “Holiday Train Show” at the New York Botanical Garden has been delighting visitors for over three decades, showcasing model trains that travel across miniature replicas of famous New York landmarks.
Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua via Getty Images – PHOTO: Visitors watch a model train during a preview of the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden in New York City, Nov. 11, 2025.
The exhibit features nearly 200 botanical displays at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Bronx.
The “New York City Transit Museum” located in the historic Grand Central Terminal offers its own holiday train show, spotlighting many model Lionel trains, including versions of the Polar Express, the Metro North Railroad, vintage New York City subway sets, and model toy buses and cars.
There is also a miniature version of Grand Central Terminal that the model trains depart from, as tracks make their way through iconic landmarks.
New York Transit Museum – PHOTO: “Nostalgia Rides” bring out vintage trains every holiday season for the public to ride for the month of December.
Known for over a decade as the annual tradition of Nostalgia Rides, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in connection with the New York City Transit Museum, brings out vintage trains every holiday season for the public to ride throughout the month of December.
Adults, children and families — for the price of a subway fare — can hop aboard the vintage train composed of 1930s cars along the F and Q lines. This year, the train will operate between 96 Street-2 Av and 2 Av-Houston Street every Sunday this December from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New York Transit Museum – PHOTO: “Nostalgia Rides” bring out vintage trains every holiday season for the public to ride for the month of December.
New York City’s commuter lines from the Metro North Railroad and the Long Island Railroad are also joining the Christmas celebration, as commuter trains are decked-out with holiday lights through early January.
Chicago
The CTA system in Chicago is celebrating the 34th year of its Holiday Train and Holiday Bus.
The Allstate CTA Holiday train is composed of six passenger rail cars that are decorated with lights and ornaments. There is also a flatcar in between the trainset that carries a sleigh with Santa. Every year thousands of riders are treated with the special train as it runs on all eight subway routes delivering holiday cheer.
The Allstate CTA Holiday Bus is decked out with lights and wrapped in decorations. The bus is known around town, playing holiday music and Santa’s jolly “Ho-ho-ho!” that can be heard from the street.
Chicago Transit Authority – PHOTO: The CTA system in Chicago is celebrating the 34th year of its Holiday Train and Holiday Bus.
According to the CTA, “The exterior of the bus features the Christkindlmarket and famous sights around Chicago including the Bean, the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and Buckingham Fountain.”
The bus will run on multiple CTA routes through late December as the cost of a normal bus fare.
California
On the West Coast, in the Napa Valley, the Santa Train Jolly Journeys, also known as the Napa Valley Wine Train provides riders with a family experience on a two-hour trip, offering splendid views of the Napa Valley.
Canada
Albany Times Union/ via Getty Ima – PHOTO: Albany Times Union
In Canada, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train makes its way through the mountains. Two freight trains — decorated will travel through the United States and Canada, making stops each day on its way from New Brunswick to British Columbia, and in the U.S. from North Dakota to Texas.
Elsewhere around the globe
In London, the Santa Steam Express takes riders on a 90-minute journey around the British capital on an original steam engine with restored vintage cars. Passengers are treated to warm drinks, gifts, and wonderful views of West London.