What to do with kids in Buffalo over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus eight 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.
Walden Galleria · One Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY 14225
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 10 evenings (Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1…).
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls · 1900 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 3 evenings (Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21).
The Fairgrounds · 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075
Good to know: Tickets sold from Nov 16. Whoville train, kiddie rides, model trains.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens · Buffalo, NY
Niagara Falls, Ontario · Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Good to know: Canada's largest free outdoor light festival; passport or enhanced ID needed to cross.
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine · Lewiston, NY
Good to know: More than 75 lighted scenes around a life-size nativity, an easy evening stroll with kids.
Niagara Power Vista · 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
Good to know: Local nonprofits each decorate a tree for this daytime display, a good pick for kids who are asleep before the outdoor shows start.
Canalside, next to Explore & More · Waterfront
Aurora Town Public Library · 550 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052
Good to know: Kids get a red-carpet moment, so dress them up. The party is aimed at ages 2 to 12, with games, crafts and snacks ahead of a countdown to noon. Sign up online, by calling 716-652-4440 or at the desk. The library's Friends group sponsors it.
Lancaster Public Library · 5466 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086
Good to know: A quick half hour for ages 7 and younger. It starts with a New Year story and a craft, then the lights go down for a glow-in-the-dark dance party and the countdown. Registration opens Sunday, Dec 6, online or at 716-683-1120.
Lackawanna Public Library (Community Room) · 560 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218
Good to know: This one needs no registration, so you can decide that morning. Noon brings a balloon drop and a sparkling grape juice toast, and there are crafts and a dance party before it.
Niagara Falls, Ontario · Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Good to know: Canada's largest free outdoor light festival; passport or enhanced ID needed to cross.
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine · Lewiston, NY
Good to know: More than 75 lighted scenes around a life-size nativity, an easy evening stroll with kids.
If it snows
Every hill here depends on snow, so check the park’s status page the morning you go. Tubing hills set height minimums, listed on each card.
6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park
Daily 10am–8pm when open
Inner tubes and plastic sleds only. Toboggan chutes run weekends and holidays 10am–4pm. Check Erie County’s winter status page before you go.
Official page ↗
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 BuffaloEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in BuffaloEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in BuffaloFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in BuffaloIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in BuffaloBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in BuffaloHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in BuffaloParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in BuffaloKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in BuffaloParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in BuffaloBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in BuffaloChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursBirthday party places in BuffaloStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in BuffaloDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Of the three places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Zoo and Aquarium of Niagara are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.
Open with posted hours: Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), Buffalo Zoo (10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.). On the calendar: Santa Photos at Walden Galleria and Santa Photos at Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls.
On the calendar for Jan 1: Winter Festival of Lights and Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Chestnut Ridge Park sled hill. All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first.
Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, Poinsettias After Dark, Winter Festival of Lights, Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights and Niagara Power Vista Festival of Trees. 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 21, 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 Buffalo, through the holidays.
