December 2026Albuquerque · The Duke City

December in Albuquerque with little kids.

9 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Albuquerque in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

9 listings · 4 free

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

4 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

2 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

3 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at Cottonwood Mall (NM)

Cottonwood Mall (NM) · 10000 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Santa
When
Nov 13 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at Coronado Center

Coronado Center · 6600 Menaul Blvd NE., Albuquerque, NM 87110

Santa
When
Nov 21 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 30

River of Lights

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden · ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, Albuquerque, NM

Holiday lights
When
Nov 28 to Dec 30
Time
5–10pm
Price
See ticket prices on the BioPark site; children 2 and under need a $0 reservation
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

Guides

More December guides for ABQ

Santa visits in ABQBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in ABQDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in ABQAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in ABQ

November: things to do in ABQEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in ABQFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in ABQIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in ABQBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in ABQHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in ABQParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas parades in ABQParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in ABQBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in ABQChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in ABQWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in ABQDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in ABQ: the FAQ

9 dated listings so far, including Old Town Holiday Stroll (Dec 4), Old Town Tree Lighting (Dec 4), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6) and Twinkle Light Parade (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Old Town Tree Lighting (Dec 4), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Twinkle Light Parade (Dec 5) and Santa Story Time at Page 1 Books (Dec 12). For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in ABQ.

7 start this December: Old Town Tree Lighting (Dec 4), Twinkle Light Parade (Dec 5), Santa's Coming into Town in Los Lunas (Dec 11), Santa Story Time at Page 1 Books (Dec 12) and Santa Photos at Cottonwood Mall (NM) (Nov 13 to Dec 24), plus 2 more below.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in ABQ that weekend.

Albuquerque skyline