Christmas means something different to every friend who has immigrated to Canada—it is a season of glittering Christmas trees, smiling Santa Clauses, stockings filled with surprises, and indulgence in holiday shopping... In the West, the true essence of Christmas is love. Whether it is bringing families together or filling society with care, this social holiday conveys the power of the collective, allowing everyone within the larger community to experience giving and receiving love.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train embodies the spirit of Christmas. Every year, during the holiday season, the Canadian Pacific Railroad outfits a special train, decorating its exterior with festive holiday lights. It spends several weeks traveling across the northern United States and southern Canada, spreading cheer to every town along its route while collecting food and donations for local food banks. Staff and local residents affectionately call it the CP Holiday Train.
Whether in a big city or a small village, every stop the Holiday Train makes invites local volunteers and CP employees to raise funds and food for community food banks. Each stop features festive holiday activities. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train project began in 1999 and has since traveled 85,764 miles, equivalent to circling the Earth 3.5 times. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has become a signature holiday event for the cities along its route. This year marks its 17th anniversary, serving as a gathering place for families and friends to celebrate the holidays at over 150 stations along the way.