The Holiday Train will welcome riders Nov. 26 through Dec. 22. (Courtesy of Chicago Transit Authority)

As a thank you to riders, CTA has added an extra date to the schedule of its beloved Holiday Train, the transit agency announced Friday. The bonus run is set to circle the Loop on Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Decked in lights and festive ornaments, the train, now in its 30th year, began popping up after Thanksgiving and has made stops along nearly every rail line in the weeks since. 

To minimize the spread of the coronavirus, all riders, regardless of age or vaccination status, will be required to wear face masks. There will be no photo sessions with Santa and riders are urged to practice social distancing on platforms and trains.

A handful of regularly scheduled runs remain for the Holiday Train, along with the bonus route. Look for Santa and his elves Dec. 17-18 on the Blue Line and Dec. 22 on the Yellow Line.

To further discourage overcrowding, CTA won’t publish a detailed station-by-station schedule for the train but is instead providing approximate times, adding a retro element of surprise that harkens back to the train’s early years.

Blue Line timing is 4-7:15 p.m. Friday and 4-6:45 p.m. Saturday. Yellow Line timing is 3-7 p.m.

The Holiday Train will be visible in Train Tracker (typically via a candy cane icon), the agency said.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]