Let’s Welcome “Subway Santa” To Chicago!
Here is Santa arriving by train in Chicago…a video I captured several years ago, and which went viral on YouTube to the tune of 8.4 million views!
I’ve got the whole story, but first, here’s a look at some of the lights of Chicago in December:
There is always an enormous holiday tree at the north end of Grant Park in the city’s famous “loop” district, and there’s much more as well:
Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo also lights up for the holidays…but it’s all about one big event: the arrival of Santa Claus by Chicago subway train!
That’s my wife Alex welcoming Santa to the train station! You see, a specially dressed train goes all over town with Santa and his reindeer leading the way!
Here is the video I shot of this incredibly fun event!
You can also board the Tain and ride along for awhile as well – or just watch Santa arrive and spread holiday cheer!
Chicago really embraces the holiday. Apparently there was a Santa convention when we were in a cab once, because I caught a few of them pounding the pavement:
Of course, the entire country is lit up for the holidays, and I am seeing it up close in New York – like the spectacular holiday tree at 30 Rock:
The Big Apple is all dressed up for the holiday – and so is my christmas tree!
Yes, I get hungry every time I look at my tree – here’s a closer look at all of the new food ornaments for 2025!
And it’s also the season for holiday memes like this one – because we all know how Cats and holiday ornaments get along:
Here are the best of the new memes I’ve discovered for this season!
And since we are in the holiday spirit, here is my favorite Christmas duet of all time!
Who ever imgined that Bing Crosby would sing with David Bowie?
Click here to see it happen!
And then of course unwind for the night with a great holiday film like “Die Hard!”
Pete knew I’d love that ornament – because I do!
And forget the debate: here’s why “Die Hard” is one of the great Christmas films!
If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, books, food, travel and pop culture…
You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!
Enjoy the holidays, and if you like this story, please share on your favorite social media!
Categories: chicago, Exotic Travel, Funny Pictures, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
another festive post
and my fav photo was the one with all the santas crossing the street
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they just had a “SantaCon” in NYC and everyone says avoid it later in the day when Santa’s had a bit too much fun! It’s all just the magic of the season, which I love! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Johm, this is the magic of the season that makes it fun – the lights, colors, and santa’s ho, ho, ho kind of cheer.
but the consumerism part and pressure that many feel is not my favorite part
LikeLike
Love this, John! I hope you made some money on YouTube. Merry! Merry!
How do you add links to your older posts and include an image?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the note! I’m not monetized on YouTube, so it was all for fun! When I write a post, while putting it together in a draft I will use a different window to go to the story I want to add, copy the link and then use the “embed” option to add it to the story. Does that make sense?
LikeLike
Lots of exposure anyway!
I’ll have to try that again. Happy Holidays!! 🎄❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am laughing and wondering why my Chicago friends have never thought to send me a ‘Santa on the Subway’ pic . . . what fun! Don’t know what those who celebrate a totally traditional Christmas would think of changing the usual Nativity Star atop the tree to that shown but I can see both you and Pete liking it 🙂 ! And, looking at the backsides of Santas on the street . . . I wonder what Santa-age kids these days think seeing the ‘more-than-one’ picture . . . or are the littlies born to live on screens too wise too early anyways 🙂 ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question, but probably no nastier than what they get from their animated films, a bit of cheekiness you could say!@
LikeLiked by 1 person
love the subway santa and the tree topper!
LikeLike
I hadn’t realised that you got 8 million views for the subway santa, John. Excellent! And that tree topper is definitely the one to have.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Pete it really amazed me and it just keeps get 50-60 a month! Yes I love that tree topper as much as I love that film…cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person