Experience a WWI Christmas Story!
Travel through a series of WWI reenactments presented by History Matters Association and learn what Christmas was like during the Great War.
About This Event:
Special Event Entrance:
Please use our specific instructions below!
This event is still located at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, but the entry gate is different than during our Regular Visitor Season.
Please enter through the gate located at the very end of Fanshawe Park Road East (2609 Fanshawe Park Road East).
Please check your GPS to make sure that it isn’t routing you through Fanshawe Conservation Area, as the Conservation Are entrance will be closed.
For directions to the gate, please use these specific GPS Coordinates:
43°03'18.6"N 81°11'06.4"W
Or, use this Google Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRULGunvDidqDFYJ9
Please see the FAQ section for further directions and parking details.
Dates:
Friday, November 27th, 2026
Saturday, November 28th, 2026
Times:
Tours will last approximately 2.25 hours, with slight variation depending upon walking times between stations. Tours will be given in timeslots beginning at:
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Overview:
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 five historical reenactments and learning stations themed around WWI:
The Christmas Truce (located at our replica trench)
Military Medical Station
Military Fashion Show: The Uniforms of Women’s Roles in WWI
Infantry Weapons of WWI (courtesy of the Elgin Military Museum)
Faith at the Front: How People of Different Faiths Coped with War
Please note that stations are subject to adjustment.
Join us in the Spriet Family Visitor Centre before or after your tour (time permitting) for complimentary hot cocoa. Please note that the Visitor Centre will close sharply at 10:15pm when the last group is finished its tour.
Tickets:
Purchase Tickets:
Tickets cost $22.00 + HST + OnStage Direct convenience fee. Please click the button below to reserve your spots. Thank you for supporting our not-for-profit museum!
Walk-Up Tickets:
Walk-up tickets cost $24.86 (ticket price + HST).
Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed for every night or timeslot. Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as many timeslots sell out!
The availability of walk-up tickets will be announced by the evening before each day of the event. The announcement will appear here, as well as on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Walk-up tickets will be sold in the Spriet Family Visitor Centre. They must be purchased at least 15 minutes before your desired timeslot. Late arrivals will be asked to join the following timeslot, if applicable.
If you arrive for a timeslot that has sold out, you will be offered tickets for the next available time slot, if applicable.
Cash, debit and credit will be available. We do not take American Express.
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.
Please check-in with a staff member inside the Spriet Family Visitor Centre (the building with the red roof).
You will be guided from the Visitor Centre into the Heritage Village by a tour guide at your designated time.
FAQ:
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This event is an outdoor nighttime walking tour. It will traverse uneven and gravel pathways in low lighting. There will be extended periods of walking and sitting.
An Accessible washroom is located on site.
A complimentary ticket for the event is available for one worker or family member supporting someone with a disability. When checking in at the event with the ticketholder you are supporting, please identify as their support person. You do not need to reserve a ticket as a support person.
To learn more about Accessibility at the Village, head to: Village Accessibility — Fanshawe Pioneer Village
If you have any questions about Accessibility at this event, please reach out using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
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This is an all-ages event, but please note that it will include battlefield sound effects, as well as discussions of war and wartime medicine.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Tours can accommodate maximum 30 people at a time. If you’re coming as a group, make sure you all buy tickets for the same start time.
When purchasing tickets, the maximum number of tickets per order is 10. Buyers must complete payment for their initial reservation (up to 10 tickets) before they can purchase additional tickets.
If you are purchasing 20+ tickets, you may purchase them over the phone to avoid paying the ticketing fee. Please call our Director at 519-457-1296×812. We are available to process your order from Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Please leave a voicemail if needed.
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Please dress for outdoor winter weather.
The tour will include time outdoors as well as indoors in heated and un-heated buildings.
Please note that outside beverages are not permitted in the Heritage Village for this event. Complimentary hot cocoa will be available in the Spriet Family Visitor Centre for before or after your visit (time permitting).
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The special event entry gate will lead you into our our large Visitors Parking Lot — please park here. There is also a small Accessible Parking Lot beside the Spriet Family Visitor Centre. Please turn left out of the Visitor Parking Lot, then turn right at the red brick building.
There is no additional fee to park.
Please note that we are not serviced by the London Transit Commission.
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If you need to change your tickets to another date or time, please reach out at the contact information at the bottom of this page.
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This event will go ahead in inclement weather.
If the event must be cancelled, we will notify ticketholders and refund tickets as soon as possible.
Due to the great amount of time it takes for our team to administer this specialty experience, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds except under extenuating circumstances. Please reach out via the contact information below if you have any questions.
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A holiday lights show will be taking place inside Fanshawe Conservation Area at the same time as this event. It is not affiliated with Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Please follow the road signs specifically for The Christmas Truce of 1914 when you arrive and depart.
Contact:
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact Public Programming Coordinator Reilly Knowles at programming@fanshawepioneervillage.ca or 519-457-1296x811.
