Special trips on the Northstar commuter rail line will operate each Saturday of this year’s Target Holidazzle Parade. The 2012 parade, which began Friday, Nov. 23, also features the second-generation Twinkle Bus - Metro Transit’s popular parade float.

Special Northstar Holidazzle service operates on these Saturdays: Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Trains serve stations at Big Lake, Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids-Riverdale and Fridley, arriving at Target Field Station at 3:55 p.m. and departing downtown at 8 p.m.

Weekend fares apply for single tickets, however, the Northstar Roundtrip Family Pass is the most affordable and easiest way for groups to travel to Holidazzle. Two adults and up to three kids age 6-17 can ride together for one discounted fare. Northstar Roundtrip Family Passes and single tickets can be purchased at metrotransit.org/holidazzle and printed prior to travelling. Tickets and Family Passes may also be purchased at stations on parade days. (Kids five and under ride free.)

For those in the St. Cloud and Becker areas, St. Cloud Metro Bus has scheduled Northstar Link coach bus service to connect with Northstar Holidazzle trains at Big Lake Station. Find schedules and fares at catchthelink.com.

Back by popular demand for the 2012 Target Holidazzle is Metro Transit’s Twinkle Bus, a parade float that will run each night of the parade. The new hybrid-electric Twinkle Bus features more than 23,000 LED lights synchronized to the beat of popular holiday songs that will be played from the bus. The 300 LED light strands which adorn the bus consume a fraction of the power used by lights on the original Twinkle Bus, which was retired after the 2010 parade.

Holidazzle parades begin Friday, Nov. 23, and continue every Thursday through Sunday night through Dec. 23. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall and features colorful displays, lights, costumes, music, and dancing to celebrate the holiday season.