The 2023 CPKC Holiday Train tours Canada and the United States Nov. 20 through Dec. 19, raising money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities. Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train's stage. CPKC makes a donation to the local food shelf at each stop and encourages attendees to also donate.
Since its inception in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $22.5 million and more than 5 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America.
Monday, December 4, 2023, at 9:05pm marks the arrival of the Holiday Train! Come see the wonder as it rolls into the historic Amtrak Depot near downtown Columbus, WI. Please be aware that a freight train passes through about an hour before the Holiday Train. There will be lots of fun family-friendly activities before the concert which begins at 9:15pm until 9:45pm with a presentation of the donations to the Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry during the intermission. The event is free to attend, and guests are encouraged to make a monetary donation to our local food pantry or donate a non-perishable/unexpired food and unused household items before and during the train's arrival.
During the event, there will be a designated area by the Amtrak Station where guests can bring non-perishable, unexpired food, unused household items, or monetary donations. So please consider donating to Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry to help make this event and the holidays a joyful one for needy families. CPKC will be presenting an additional donation to our local food pantry to be revealed during the festive holiday concert. The Holiday Train is the largest donation event for the food pantry each year.
In addition to donating to our local food pantry, the Holiday Train event features:
- Live music featuring BRELAND and Tenille Townes
- Activities prior to the train's arrival
- Warm-up treats
- Warming station