Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park 2026

Once Upon A Christmas is Heritage Park’s old-fashioned Christmas, and for many Calgary families it’s the main event of December. The historical village fills with carollers, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, a LEGO village, model trains, crafts and Santa, with a Christmas market in the Celebration Tent and a big breakfast buffet to start the day.

It’s a daytime event, usually 10 AM to 4 PM. For 2026, the market is listed for December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. Heritage Park hadn’t posted full 2026 details on its own site when we checked, so confirm before you buy.

More places to meet Santa are in where to see Santa in Calgary.

Once Upon A Christmas: Quick Facts

What’s Included

• Wagon rides (11 AM–4 PM), carollers and live entertainment
• Farm animals, the LEGO village and model train displays
• Crafts, storytelling, Métis storytelling, a scavenger hunt and letters to Santa
• Santa at the North Pole
• The Christmas Market Calgary in the Celebration Tent, a kids-only market and village shops

Add-Ons

• Breakfast buffet: in 2024, $49.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids 3–11 (plus GST), with 15% off for members
• Private carriage rides for small groups
• Heritage Holiday Train: a short two-loop ride from Midnapore Station (separate ticket; cancelled at –20°C)
• Gingerbread decorating

Know Before You Go

• It’s mostly outdoors. Dress for a full day outside.
• The train isn’t wheelchair accessible, and neither are private carriages. An accessible shuttle runs inside the Park.
• Buy breakfast early. Buffet seatings sell out.

Getting There

Heritage Park is on the Glenmore Reservoir off Heritage Drive SW. In 2025, Calgary Transit ran a special Route 502 shuttle from Heritage CTrain Station to the Park; we’ll confirm whether it returns in 2026.

Make a Day of It

• Evening lights: head to ZOOLIGHTS after the Park closes at 4.
• Family ideas: our Christmas with kids in Calgary guide.

For the whole season, start with the Calgary Christmas Guide 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Once Upon A Christmas 2026?

It’s listed for December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026. In 2025 it ran December 6–7, 13–14 and 20–23.

What time does it run?

10 AM to 4 PM. It’s a daytime event, not a light show.

Is Santa there?

Yes, at the North Pole inside the Park.

Is there a breakfast with Santa?

There’s a Once Upon A Christmas breakfast buffet as a separate ticket.

Is parking free?

No. Parking is paid through ParkPlus; members can add free parking.

Related: where to see Santa, Christmas with kids.

Part of: Calgary Christmas Guide 2026 › Where to See Santa in Calgary 2026