School & Group Bookings

Group rates can be offered to schools or groups of 10 or more who pre-book a visit to the Festival of Trees using the application form below. 

​Booking school and group visits is done through the Festival of Trees rather than the Western Development Museum (WDM). Please fill out the application form for your group visit. Due to the popularity of the event, we will be limiting the number of classes/groups allowed to visit at any given time. We will do our best to accommodate all requests!

Please note:
  • We ask that groups meet outside until everyone arrives (rather than the lobby) as the lobby can be very congested
  • WDM programs are not offered during the Festival of Trees
  • Snack or lunch areas are not available. No food or drink is allowed or may be consumed in the Museum Galleries.
  • All group visitors will be responsible for their own coats and belongings. Bags will not be provided for coats.
  • Face painting is not available for group visitors of any age
  • Children must always be accompanied by a chaperone
  • If your group plans to shop at the Gift Shop, please visit in smaller groups with chaperone supervision

After your application has been received, we will be in touch to confirm a date/time for your visit. If you have any questions, please ​contact us.

Group Rates

Group rates are only offered to schools or groups of 10 or more who pre-book a visit to the Festival of Trees. Admission prices include GST, PST and service fee.
Group Admission Type
Price Per Person
Group-Adult
$13.00
Group-Senior
$11.00
Group-Adult Student
$8.75
Group-High School Student
$8.75
Group-Elementary or Pre-School Student
$5.00

    2024 Group Application Form

    Please list the estimated number of people in each category:
    Adult chaperones are admitted at no charge at the following ratios:
    • Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten: 1 chaperone to 4 students
    • Grades 1 - 8: 1 chaperone to 5 students
    • Grades 9 - 12: 1 chaperone to 8 students
    • Support staff (care homes, etc.): 1 support staff to 1 visitor
    Adults over the above ratios will be charged the adult group rate.
    Payment upon arrival is required (cashless payments only; debit or credit). Receipts provided. Groups must pay in one lump sum rather than paying individually in order to receive the group rate.
    Choose a minimum of 3 possible date/time preferences. Remember to review your calendar to avoid parent-teacher interviews, staff meetings, professional development days, etc. Bookings are typically offered every 15 minutes:
    • Morning bookings start at 9:15 am with the last booking at 11:45 am
    • Afternoon bookings start at 12:00 pm with the last booking at 4:45 pm
    • Evening bookings start at 5:00 pm with the last booking at 7:00 pm (the Festival closes at 9:00 pm)

Additional Info

We ask anyone who feels unwell to please stay home out of respect for fellow guests, volunteers and staff. All advanced payments and payments at the door (general admission or group admission) are final. No cancellations or refunds. 

​Cashless
The Festival of Trees has gone cashless! Debit or credit will be used for all purchases including special event tickets, admission, gingerbread cookies, trees, wreaths, centrepieces and gingerbread houses. Raffle ticket purchases can be made by credit card only.

Notice of Photography and/or Filming
When you enter the Western Development Museum facility during the Saskatoon Festival of Trees, you enter an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. By entering the facility, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction for advertising, social media, website and/or any other promotional purposes as deemed fit by the Saskatoon Festival of Trees. 

During Your Visit
At times, the parking lot and lobby of the Western Development Museum are extremely busy. We recommend waiting in your vehicle during these busy times until the line up decreases. Please follow the signage and/or direction of our greeters regarding the appropriate entrance, exit & line up for pre-paid admission, group admission, onsite admission (debit & credit only; cashless), special events and cafe visits.

We ask that you allow for a little extra time to get through the lobby to the displays, special events or cafe. Please be respectful and kind to fellow visitors, guests, volunteers and Western Development Museum staff. During your visit:
  • Please do not touch Festival displays, decorations or Museum artifacts
  • Please respect all stanchions, ropes and directional signage. We know the displays are irresistible especially to our youngest visitors, but for their safety please keep everyone from going behind any ropes, stanchions or barriers.
  • No food or drink is allowed or may be consumed in the Museum galleries. Gingerbread cookies are for sale, but should be taken home to be enjoyed (you can nibble on one in the lobby if you can't make it to your vehicle!)

Policies and procedures may change or be updated without notice. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!