This year marks 25 years of the CTA Holiday Train – a holiday tradition unique to Chicago.

Strands of multi-colored lights are strung outside and inside the train – along with red bows, garland, red and green overhead lighting and hand poles wrapped to look like candy canes. Riders are greeted by Santa’s elves with plenty of candy canes.

As the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to the boarding riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated Christmas trees.