The Most Dazzling Holiday Train In North America Is Stopping In Upstate NY For 2 Days Only — With Free Concerts & Light Displays

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The holiday season is officially rolling into Upstate New York, and one of the most dazzling traditions on rails is back for 2025!

While New Yorkers are already mapping out festive escapes from the city, this year the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making six stops across Upstate NY, spreading holiday cheer, live music, and a powerful message of giving.

The train isn’t just a moving spectacle of lights and decorations — it’s a full-on holiday concert on wheels.

Each stop features a boxcar stage where performers like pop star Tyler Shaw and Canadian country singer Brittany Kennell will deliver a mix of classic carols, modern hits, and original songs.

And the best part?

Attendance is FREE, with organizers encouraging donations of heart-healthy food or cash to support local food banks along the route.

Since its debut in 1999, the Holiday Train has raised over $26 million and collected more than 5.4 million pounds of food to help communities in need.

Fans of festive trains can also enjoy other NYC holiday train experiences before heading upstate, like the Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum or the Holiday Train Nights at NYBG.

But for an extra special mix of lights, music, and giving back, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is the ultimate Upstate adventure.

Here’s where and when the train will be rolling through New York in 2025:

Tuesday, November 25

• Menands: Ganser Smith Memorial Park, 53 Menand Rd — 5:15 pm
• Mechanicville: 300 Park Ave — 5:45 pm

Wednesday, November 26

• Fort Edward: Amtrak Station, 70 East St — 2:45 pm
• Port Henry: Amtrak Station, 20 Park Place — 5:40 pm
• Plattsburgh: Amtrak Station, 121 Bridge St — 7:50 pm
• Rouses Point: Pratt Street at the NY/Quebec border — 9:30 pm

Each stop lasts roughly 30 minutes, giving attendees plenty of time to enjoy the performances, snap photos of the brightly decorated train, and make donations to local food banks.

The event is family-friendly, festive, and a perfect way to kick off the holiday season while giving back to the community.

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Most of these small towns are about 2.5 – 5.5 hours from NYC, but all equally worth a drive north to check out for yourself!

🎄🚂 For the full train schedule and more info, head here!