CP Holiday Train Rolling Through BC with Free Concerts

The 19th edition of the CP Holiday Train is ready to support communities and raise awareness​ across Canada as it sets out to visit 171 communities and host free events in November and December. There are over 20 stops in BC, from Sparwood to Port Coquitlam, with each featuring an opportunity to view the impressive train-long light displays and enjoy a free concert.

CP Holiday Train

Beginning in Montreal, Quebec, on November 25 and 26, 2017 respectively, two trains will make the festive journey, travelling through both the United States and Canada to bring holiday cheer to 171 communities along CP’s network. Each event is completely free, with CP encouraging every attendee to open their cupboards or wallets to ease hunger needs in their community. Local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop to ensure those less fortunate can access adequate food this holiday season and year-round.

The 2017 edition of the Holiday Train also concludes CP’s Canada 150 celebrations and the Canadian train will feature the Spirit of Tomorrow car, which was part of the Canada 150 Train this past summer.

Local Schedule

Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Band will roll up into the Fraser Valley on December 16th for a show stop in Agassiz, then head over to Haney-Maple Ridge for another, and will end the night in Pitt Meadows. The train will roll on December 17th with the two final stops and performances in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

How The Events Work

When the train arrives it will pull to a safe stop in front of the crowd in attendance. The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song. After that, a brief presentation takes place with local food bank officials and other dignitaries.

Once complete, the band resumes performing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. The whole event lasts about 30 minutes, and once the band plays its farewell show, the boxcar door closes, and the train slips off into the night on its way to the next stop.

The spectacular event is free to attend, but you are encouraged to bring healthy donations for the food bank. Every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with the local food bank to help feed those in need in that community.

The CP Holiday Train program launched in 1999 and has since raised more than $13 million and four million pounds of food for communities along CP’s routes in Canada and the United States.

Follow the #CPHolidayTrain on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see its full schedule as the cross-country journey comes to an end out west.