Once Upon A Christmas
Calgary's Favourite Christmas Event
Experience the magic of Christmas at Heritage Park with the holiday magic and festive displays of our Once Upon A Christmas event. Enjoy classic indoor and outdoor Christmas activities with the whole family like horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, crafts, music, entertainment and so much more! And, if you’ve reserved seats for the brunch, entry to the Park is free! Buy tickets today and get your fix of wholesome holiday cheer at Once Upon A Christmas!
Holiday Bundle – Get 4 Tickets For Just $40!*
Give yourself the gift of savings with our Once Upon A Christmas Holiday Bundle: get 4 tickets for just $40! Don’t miss out—take advantage of this special offer today! This deal is available online or at the gates when you visit.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 17, 2023
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
General (16-64): $14.95 plus GST
Senior (65+): $9.95 plus GST
Child (3-15): $9.95 plus GST
Children under 3: Free Admission
Tickets are available online or at the front gates when you visit.
Annual Members: Annual Members get free admission to Once Upon A Christmas. If you don’t have a membership, get one today for not only free admission but amazing benefits like 25% discounted admission for any guests you bring and exclusive discounts on stores across the Park, so you can save big on holiday shopping. The best part – it pays for itself in less than 2 visits! It’s our gift to you.
*NO CASH VALUE. NO REFUNDS. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS.
Explore Fun Christmas Activities
Some of our favourite Calgary Christmas activities held during Once Upon a Christmas include visits with furry friends, the Christmas Breakfast Buffet and horse-drawn carriage rides through Heritage Park. New this year you can book private carriage rides. Plus, now you can spend more time exploring outside and warm up along the way in the unique warming huts designed by Canadian architects. Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park includes these and other indoor and outdoor Christmas activities you can experience this holiday season in Calgary.
*New* Private Carriage Rides (Sold Out)
New this year, tour the Village with just your family in a private horse-drawn carriage ride! Rides are limited and will sell fast, so get yours while you can! *Additional information is available when booking.
Please note, Once Upon A Christmas admission is required to go on a private carriage ride, and must be purchased separately.
Times: 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30 am, 12, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30 pm.
Dates: During Once Upon A Christmas
Location: Weedon School at Heritage Park
5-Person Carriage Ride: $59.99 for entire group
7-Person Carriage Ride: $83.99 for entire group
Once Upon A Christmas Breakfast Buffet (Sold Out)
Ho, ho, hope you’re hungry! Join us for brunch in the warm and cozy atmosphere of the Wainwright Hotel or Gunn’s Dairy Barn to dine on freshly baked pastries from the Alberta Bakery, traditional buttermilk pancakes, farm-fresh scrambled eggs and all your other breakfast favourites before venturing out to enjoy the festive Once Upon A Christmas activities!
Times: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 pm
Dates: Weekends from Nov. 25 – Dec. 3: Wainwright Hotel
Weekends From Dec. 9 – 17: Wainwright Hotel and Gunn’s Dairy Barn
Adult (12+): $39.95 plus GST
Child (3-11): $20.95 plus GST
Visit With Furry Friends
Our friendly farm animals are back for Once Upon A Christmas and are excited to see you! Come say hi to tons of furry friends, give them some love and snap a family photo with them, perfect for the holiday card!
Time: 10 am – 4 pm; some animals may be resting at different times during the day
Dates: During Once Upon A Christmas (Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 17, 2023)
Location: Copithorne Barn at Heritage Park
This activity is included with your Once Upon a Christmas ticket.
Warming Hut Competition
Experience interactive warming huts created by architects across Canada for our new Warming Hut Competition. And don’t forget to vote for your favourite!
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Dates: During Once Upon A Christmas (Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 17, 2023)
Location: Throughout the Park
Exploring the warming huts is included with your Once Upon a Christmas ticket.
Photo Credit: The Forks Winnipeg
Outdoor Christmas Activities
Step outside and embrace the winter wonderland with our exciting Outdoor Christmas Activities at Once Upon A Christmas. Embark on a Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride, listen to the heartwarming tunes sung by roving Christmas Carolers, explore the holiday Children’s Maze and take photos with our giant holiday décor. Come and experience the magic of Christmas outdoors at Heritage Park.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Tour the picturesque Historical Village with your loved ones in a horse-drawn wagon!
Christmas Carolers
Delight in the sounds of heritage holiday tunes sung by roving Christmas carolers!
Children’s Maze
Get a little bit lost as you wander through our holiday maze.
Festive Photo-ops
Take unique group photos and selfies with our giant holiday décor!
Indoor Christmas Activities
And there’s more! Once Upon a Christmas hosts many delightful indoor Christmas activities that will appeal to the whole family. Explore the Christmas Market and find unique gifts from local artisans, enjoy captivating music, make Christmas crafts, and peer into an enchanting Christmas Village Display. Don’t miss the chance to visit with Santa himself. Come and create unforgettable Christmas memories at Heritage Park, with many indoor activities to enjoy (more below).
Christmas Market
Discover incredible gifts from local artisans and vendors, and enjoy NEW live entertainment!
The Christmas Letter Caper
A witty, who-dun-it musical about Christmas traditions and community in 1910 Alberta.
Run time: 45 minutes
Showings: Noon, 1:45, 3 pm
Visit With Santa
Say hi to old St. Nick and share your Christmas wishes! Optional professional photos with the big man are available at an additional cost.
Kids’ Only Store
Have a seat in the parent lounge while our friendly volunteers help your little ones find perfect gifts to surprise friends and family with.
Find Unique Gifts in Historic Shops
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Find unique toys and games, locally made products, jewellery, home décor, books and kitchenware when you stop by shop in the Haskayne Mercantile Block. You’ll find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list!
Christmas Village Display
Peer into a magical holiday wonderland with miniature houses, twinkling lights and more.
Holiday Storytime
Take a break from the chilly outdoors and warm up with a cozy storytime!
Children’s Christmas Crafts
Take home a memory of your Heritage Park experience by making your own craft!
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating*
Create the perfect yuletide design on your gingerbread cookie, then savour every bite!
*Additional Cost
Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
Find all of the reindeer hidden in our antique car collection and win a tasty prize!
Model Train Display
Train enthusiasts young and old will enjoy checking out the new model train display!
