What to do with kids in Boston over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: four say they’re open on Christmas Day and four on New Year’s Day. Plus two dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Natick Mall · 1245 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760
Good to know: An elevator ride to the North Pole, then Santa photos. The mall warns of 3 to 4 hour waits for weekend walk-ups.
Stone Zoo · 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
Good to know: Tree-lined paths lit with thousands of lights in Stoneham, with a candy-themed Yukon Creek this year.
Copley Square, Boston Common and venues around downtown · Copley Square, Boston, MA
Good to know: The city’s New Year’s Eve celebration with performances, ice sculptures, a procession and family activities. The early fireworks over Boston Common follow the procession, which makes them the easier pick with kids. The 2027 performance schedule hasn’t been posted yet.
Discovery Museum · 177 Main St. (Route 27), Acton, MA 01720
Good to know: Make party hats and noisemakers, come in pajamas, and count down to a noon ball drop. Bad weather can change or cancel the program.
Boston Public Library – South Boston · 646 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
Good to know: For ages 3–7: make party hats and noisemakers, play balloon games and have a mini dance party for the countdown to noon.
Boston Public Library – Hyde Park · 35 Harvard Ave, Hyde Park, MA 02136
Good to know: Holiday stories and a festive craft, then ring in the new year at noon. Not meant for large groups.
Stone Zoo · 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
Good to know: Tree-lined paths lit with thousands of lights in Stoneham, with a candy-themed Yukon Creek this year.
Open on New Year’s Day: Museum of Science, Franklin Park Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Children’s Museum.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in BostonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in BostonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in BostonFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in BostonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in BostonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in BostonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in BostonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in BostonKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in BostonParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in BostonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in BostonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in BostonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in BostonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Museum of Science (Dec 24: closes at 2pm; Dec 25: closed), Franklin Park Zoo (Dec 24: open 9am–4pm; Dec 25: closed), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Dec 25: closed), Boston Children’s Museum (Dec 25: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa’s Elevator Express at Natick Mall.
Museum of Science (Not listed), Franklin Park Zoo (Open 9am–4pm), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Closed), Boston Children’s Museum (Not listed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: ZooLights at Stone Zoo. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
ZooLights at Stone Zoo. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
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 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Boston, through the holidays.
