Experience a WWI Christmas Story
In 1914, a brief, unofficial truce took place along parts of the Western Front, as soldiers on opposing sides marked the season together.
At this special holiday event presented in partnership with History Matters Association, you and a small group of visitors will be led through the Heritage Village to witness historical reenactments at four different spaces and visit our replica WWI trench to discover the story of the Christmas Truce. Along the way you’ll learn about what life was like during the Great War. Make sure to dress for the weather as this is an outdoor, nighttime event.
Dates:
Friday, November 28th, 2025
Saturday, November 29th, 2025
Times:
Tickets will be sold for designated tour times. Tours will last approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with slight variation depending upon walking times between stations.
Tours will be given in timeslots beginning at:
6:00pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
7:30pm
8:00pm
Ticket Cost
$22.00 (plus tax and Eventbrite fees)
Audience, Accessibility & Weather
This event is an outdoor nighttime walking tour. It will traverse uneven ground and gravel pathways in low lighting. It is an all-ages event, but please note that it will include battlefield sound effects and discussions of war. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please dress for outdoor winter weather. This event will go ahead in inclement weather.
Persons with disabilities are welcome to one free ticket for a support worker. To reserve a free ticket for a support worker, please contact the Public Programming Coordinator using the information under the "Contact" heading.
If you have concerns about whether this event will be accessible to you, please contact the Public Programming Coordinator using the information under the "Contact" heading.
Check-In
Tickets will be sold for designated tour times.
You must check in 10-15 minutes before your tour time. Late arrivals are not guaranteed entry for their tour. Check-in will take place inside the Spriet Family Visitor Centre (the red brick building directly beside the entrance to the Heritage Village).
You are welcome to enjoy an exhibit of WWI artifacts and a complimentary cup of hot cocoa inside the Spriet Family Visitor Centre before or after your tour. Please contact the Public Programming Coordinator if you require dairy-free hot cocoa. Please note that the Spriet Family Visitor Centre will close sharply at 10:15pm when the last group of the night is finished its tour.
Arrival & Exit
You must enter and exit this event via our back entrance at 2609 Fanshawe Park Road. Do not enter through the Conservation Area's main gate at 1424 Clarke Road. 2609 Fanshawe Park Road is located at the very end of Fanshawe Park Road. Drive east on Fanshawe Park Road when you arrive at the Fanshawe Park Road /Clarke Road intersection, heading away from Masonville Mall. Expect to see cars going the opposite way on this road, as a nearby gate is the exit for the Magic of Lights event happening in the Conservation Area.
Please park in our large Visitors Parking Lot. There is also a small Accessible Parking Lot beside the Spriet Family Visitor Centre.
Please note that we are not serviced by the London Transit Commission.
Contact
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact Public Programming Coordinator at programming@fanshawepioneervillage.ca or 519-457-1296 ext. 811.
Presented in Partnership with History Matters Association
