Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park

It’s the smell of a woodfire and fresh-baked bread; it’s the sound of a child’s laughter and the singing of rosy-cheeked carolers. It’s all of your senses delighting in Christmas traditions that have stood the test of time! Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park is one of Calgary’s most beloved holiday experiences. It invokes a powerful sense of nostalgia as it allows families to reminisce and participate in charming and old-fashioned Christmas customs and traditions.

Every Saturday and Sunday from November 26 – December 18, 2022, you can spend a magical day at the Heritage Park Historical Village and Gasoline Alley Museum, indulging in the Christmas heritage of the past while you forge your own family traditions. With hands-on activities and entertainment that’s sure to delight guests of all ages, it’s time for wholesome holiday cheer!

Special Holiday Activities

There’s so much to do during Once Upon A Christmas – dress for the weather and come ready to play! Enjoy carol singing and a visit with Old Saint Nick, topped off with crackling fires, wagon rides, fresh baking, and hot chocolate. The kids can join the reindeer scavenger hunt, do a craft and enjoy storytime or you can all watch a holiday performance and do some snow painting or snowshoe races. NEW in 2022, check out the incredibly detailed holiday model train display in Gasoline Alley and delight in the Christmas Village Display in the Snooker Parlour.

Many of the Historical Village’s family homes will open their doors to welcome you in from the cold so you can see how families spent Christmas during pioneer times, with Christmas traditions from around the world. In the Prince House, you’ll uncover a French-Canadian connection and learn about the “Réveillon En Famille,” a traditional dinner after the Christmas Eve Mass and the “crèche.” The main event at the Sandstone House is Hogmanay – a Scottish New Year’s celebration, while the Thorpe house is beginning celebrations with Yule and traditions brought from Norway. You can enjoy a simple Canadian Prairie Christmas at the Ranch House, complete with a poplar branch Christmas tree and handmade gifts. Learn about the simple ways early immigrants managed to celebrate when money was scarce and breathe in the tantalizing aroma of historic Christmas baking on a wood-fired stove. You can also stop by St. Martin’s Church and the Synagogue.

Heritage Park Christmas (Family Fun Calgary)

Dressed up in holiday best

Holiday Shopping

The shops in the Haskayne Mercantile Block, as well as those inside the village, are open for some special holiday shopping and you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts not found in other stores. You can also check out the return of Heritage Park’s Christmas Markets, located in the Roundhouse and Innovation Crossing. Then, take a break while kids shop under the supervision of helpful volunteers at the Kids’ Only Store. They’ll be so excited to surprise you with something special under the tree!

First stop: picking a treat from the old-fashioned candy store.

Holiday Treats

Make your day out even more special by starting with a holiday meal! Book reservations for the Once Upon A Christmas Breakfast Buffet by calling 403-268-8500 and start your holiday tradition in the warmth of the Wainwright Hotel or Gunn’s Dairy Barn. There will be other shops open for treats, snacks, and meals during the day. New this year, you’ll find a concession at the Canmore Opera House and a bakery with hot chocolate in Innovation Crossing. Don’t forget to stop by the Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women for gingerbread decorating!

Our family loves Once Upon A Christmas, as it takes us away from the rush and bustle of today, and helps us enjoy the best of Christmas, past and present. Slow down this Christmas and add the traditions of yesterday to today.

Insider Tips from Heritage Park

The popularity of Once Upon A Christmas can result in line-ups at favourite locations, especially on nice days during the afternoon. Keep reading for insider tips on key spots to visit in the morning, for a shorter wait time.

Stop by Gasoline Alley Museum first. It can get busy, as it’s filled with activities, making it an entertaining place to warm up.
Kids, go shopping early! Get your special packages at the Kids’ Only Store before it gets crowded. Mom and Dad can just sit back and relax!
Claresholm General Store (the candy store!) and Alberta Bakery are always popular. Stock up in the morning to avoid lineups, or break the rules with candy for breakfast.
Find unique gifts at places like the Strathmore Standard, Flett’s Blacksmith Shop, and Atlas Lumber, all while you learn about life on the prairies.
Dress in layers — it’s cold outside, but you’ll be in and out of buildings and might want to shed your coat.