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It’s Christmas – the way it used to be.

Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park is one of Calgary's most iconic holiday events, with hands-on activities and entertainment sure to delight guests of all ages. Come and get your fix of wholesome holiday cheer! 

Note: Due to weather circumstances, wagon rides have been cancelled for Saturday, Dec. 17, and all outdoor activities for Sunday, Dec. 18 have also been cancelled.

When

10 am – 4 pm

Nov. 26, 2022
Nov. 27, 2022
Dec. 3, 2022
Dec. 4, 2022
Dec. 10, 2022
Dec. 11, 2022
Dec. 17, 2022
Dec. 18, 2022

Where

Throughout Heritage Park Historical Village, Heritage Towne Square and Gasoline Alley Museum.

Price

Child (3-15) $14.95
General (16+) $19.95
  

Special Holiday Activities 

• Santa Visits
  • Check-in with jolly old St. Nick and share your Christmas wishes! Optional professional photos will be available at an additional cost.
• A Storybook Christmas
  • Enjoy photo ops and fun activities featuring your favourite Christmas storybook characters!
  • Location: Gasoline Alley
  • Time: 10 am – 4 pm
• Letters to Santa
  • Pen a letter to Santa and send it off to the North Pole in our antique mailbox!
  • Location: Gasoline Alley
  • Time: 10 am – 4 pm
• Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
  • Find all the reindeers hidden amongst the gleaming chrome of our antique car collection and win an amazing prize!
  • Location: Gasoline Alley
  • Time: 10 am – 4 pm
• Christmas Carollers
  • Explore the Village and find our roving carollers, who will fill the streets with the sounds of some of your favourite holiday tunes!
• Children's Mazes
  • Challenge your little ones to find their way through fun, old-fashioned wooden mazes!
• Gingerbread Decorating
  • Create the perfect yuletide design on your gingerbread man, then savour every bite! This activity requires additional cost.
• Children's Crafts
  • Take home a memory of your Heritage Park experience by making a heritage tree ornament! One free craft per child. Additional kits will be available for purchase.
• Driftscape Scavenger Hunt
  • Download the Driftscape app and complete our brand-new Once Upon a Christmas Scavenger Hunt for the chance to win a $25 Heritage Park gift card!

Timeless Holiday Theatre 

Come enjoy our Christmas play, "Constable’s Christmas Caper: A Christmas Music Melodrama"!

Location

Canmore Opera House

Times

12 pm – 12:40 pm
1:30 pm – 2:10 pm
3 pm – 3:40 pm

Holiday Shopping 

• Haskayne Mercantile Block and Village Shops
  • Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Stop by the Haskayne Mercantile Block and our shops in the Village to find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list! 
•  Kids' Only Store
  • Have a seat in the parent's lounge while our friendly volunteers aid your little ones in finding that perfect gift to to surprise friends and family with!
• Christmas Market
  • Wander through our bustling and jovial Christmas Market to discover incredible gifts made by local artisans!

Festive Feasting 

• Once Upon a Christmas Breakfast Buffet
  •  Savour a festive breakfast buffet at the Wainwright Hotel or Gunn’s Dairy Barn before venturing out to enjoy the festivities! Reservations recommended.

Discover Holiday Heritage 

Take a walk through the Historical Village and experience how different cultures celebrated the holidays, including Chanukah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Yule and Hogmanay. 

FAQ

Where in Heritage Park does the event take place?

Once Upon a Christmas takes place throughout the Historical Village, Heritage Towne Square and the Gasoline Alley Museum, both indoors and outdoors.

Is parking included?

Parking is not included in the ticket prices, but it is available at the Park. If you’re an Escape Annual Membership holder, parking at Heritage Park is free!

What’s the plan for inclement weather?

During inclement weather select outdoor programs and the fire pits may be closed for the wellbeing and safety of our volunteers.  The following will continue, regardless of weather:

• Holiday shopping*
• A Storybook Christmas
• Reindeer scavenger hunt
• Letters to Santa
• Children’s mazes
• Gingerbread decorating*
• Santa visits
• Santa photos*
• Christmas play
• Kids Only Store*
• Seven historical sites showing different holiday traditions
• Christmas market*
• Carollers in indoor locations
• Children’s crafts

* Involves a fee to participate

What should I wear and bring to the event?

As Once Upon a Christmas takes place both indoors and outdoors, please make sure to dress for the weather. As we all know, the winter can be quite chilly in Alberta, so dress accordingly!

How does purchasing a ticket support Heritage Park?

As a registered charity, all proceeds from Once Upon a Christmas will allow Heritage Park to continue bringing the history of Western Canada to life.