December 2026Buffalo · The Queen City of the Lakes

December in Buffalo with little kids.

19 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Buffalo 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.

19 listings · 6 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

1 listing

Dec 14 to Dec 20

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

3 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

9 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 Walden Galleria

Walden Galleria · One Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY 14225

Santa
When
Nov 13 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 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 30

Fairgrounds Festival of Lights

The Fairgrounds · 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Dec 30
Time
Drive-thru gate 5–9 p.m.; buildings 5–10 p.m. (Nov 29 & Dec 13 one hour earlier close)
Price
Drive-thru only $22 standard / $39 XL; Full $34 / $56; Prime $45 / $73; Nov 29 $20 any vehicle
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 29

Poinsettias After Dark

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens · Buffalo, NY

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Dec 29
Time
5–9 p.m.
Price
Adult $20; senior/student $18; 12 and under free with ticket (members half)
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 Buffalo

Santa visits in BuffaloBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in BuffaloDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in BuffaloAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Buffalo

November: things to do in BuffaloEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in BuffaloFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in BuffaloIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in BuffaloBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in BuffaloHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in BuffaloParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in BuffaloKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in BuffaloParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in BuffaloBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in BuffaloChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in BuffaloWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in BuffaloStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in BuffaloDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Buffalo: the FAQ

19 dated listings so far, including Parkside Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Breakfast with Santa at Frontiersmen VFW Post 7545 (Dec 5) and Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

11 start this December: Breakfast with Santa at Frontiersmen VFW Post 7545 (Dec 5), Breakfast with Santa at the Buffalo AKG (Dec 12), Santa Photos at Walden Galleria (Nov 13 to Dec 24), Winter Festival of Lights (Nov 14 to Jan 10) and Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights (Nov 21 to Jan 3), plus 6 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 Nov 3, 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 Buffalo that weekend.

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