Image Credit: CPKC
Mississippi is joining the CPKC Holiday Train concert route for the first time in December 2026, with three stops spread across two days. Meridian, Jackson, and Vicksburg will get the combination of a brightly decorated train, live music, and fundraising for local food banks.
Before arranging the outing, there is one essential detail: this is a trackside event, not a passenger excursion. You go to watch the train and the performance. You do not buy a ticket to ride from one Mississippi stop to the next.
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Where the train will stop
The published 2026 route lists these Mississippi performances. Times are local Central Time; they are concert windows, so plan to arrive before the start.
- Meridian — Tuesday, December 1, 4:15–4:45 p.m. The listed location is 1805 Front Street, in the park beside the Meridian Railroad Museum and Union Station.
- Jackson — Tuesday, December 1, 7:30–8 p.m. The listed location is the old Jackson intermodal yard at 360 Industrial Park Drive.
- Vicksburg — Wednesday, December 2, 2:45–3:15 p.m. The listed location is 1001 Levee Street at Grove Street, beside the Old Depot Museum.
The stop addresses and times appear in the published 2026 route guide. Visit Meridian independently confirms its December 1 performance and names Chase Rice and Madeline Edwards as the musical guests. The route also lists that pairing for Jackson and Vicksburg.
“First” does not mean Mississippi has never had a Christmas train
Families may remember earlier visits from the Holiday Express. Those memories are not mistaken. CPKC’s 2024 Holiday Express schedule included Mississippi stops, and Visit Meridian specifically distinguishes this year’s Holiday Train from the earlier KCS Christmas Train.
The new arrival is the Holiday Train concert program. That difference is useful because a remembered walk-through or Santa visit is not a reliable description of what the 2026 trackside event includes.
Use the current event name and current address when planning. Reusing an old Holiday Express flyer could send you to the wrong location or leave you expecting a different experience.
Free entertainment with a local purpose
The concerts are free, with food and monetary donations encouraged for local food banks. Visit Meridian says donations associated with its event remain in the community. Bringing a contribution can be part of the outing, rather than an afterthought once you arrive.
Check the local organizer’s guidance for what is most useful to donate. A well-chosen contribution is more helpful than clearing out a cupboard without checking dates or suitability.
Choose one stop and give yourself time
For most households, the closest workable stop is a better plan than trying to follow the train across the state. Parking, walking to the viewing area, and finding your group can take time even when the concert itself lasts only half an hour.
The schedule also offers different experiences. Jackson has an evening slot, while Vicksburg’s performance is in the afternoon. If your main interest is seeing the lights after dark, do not book an afternoon outing and expect the same backdrop.
Stay within the designated public area and follow event staff directions. A better photograph is not a reason to step onto tracks or railway property.
Before leaving home, check the CPKC Holiday Train page and the local host’s updates. With only three Mississippi stops, the date and address are worth saving now—but the live schedule should have the final word on the day.