22 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Cleveland 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.
2 listings
Great Lakes Science Center and Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland · Cleveland
Downtown Lakewood · Detroit Ave. between Arthur and Marlowe, Lakewood
2 listings
Trevi Catering & Events (Trevi Banquet Hall) · 29717 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe, OH 44092
The Center: Events & Catering · 4157 Hudson Drive, Stow, OH 44224
5 listings
Mentor Public Library, Main Branch (Village Room) · 8215 Mentor Ave, Mentor, OH 44060
Cleveland Public Library, Jefferson Branch (Community Space 1) · 850 Jefferson Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Geauga County Public Library, Bainbridge Branch · Bainbridge Township
Cleveland Public Library, Fulton Branch (Meeting Room) · 3545 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109
Cleveland Public Library, Rice Branch (Children's Room) · 11535 Shaker Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
13 listings
Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.
SouthPark · 500 Southpark Center, Strongsville, OH 44136
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Rockside Station · 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, OH 44131
Great Lakes Mall · 7850 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo · 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109
Beachwood Place · 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122
Akron Zoo · Akron, OH
Cleveland Botanical Garden · Cleveland, OH
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens · 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303
Carlisle Reservation · 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens · 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303
The Burnham Restaurant, Hilton Cleveland Downtown · 100 Lakeside Ave. E, Cleveland, OH
Petitti Garden Centers (Avon, Bainbridge, Bath Twp. and Strongsville) · Avon, Bainbridge, Bath Township and Strongsville stores
Lake Metroparks Farmpark · 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd. (Rt. 6), Kirtland, OH 44094
Guides
Keep planning
November: things to do in ClevelandEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ClevelandFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in ClevelandFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ClevelandIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ClevelandBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ClevelandHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ClevelandParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ClevelandKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ClevelandParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in ClevelandPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ClevelandBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in ClevelandChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ClevelandWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in ClevelandStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in ClevelandDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
22 dated listings so far, including Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Light Up Lakewood (Dec 5), Breakfast with Santa & Friends at Trevi (Dec 12) and Breakfast with Santa at The Center in Stow (Dec 12). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.
Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Light Up Lakewood (Dec 5), Happy "Noon" Year Party at Mentor Public Library (Dec 31), Noon Year's Eve at Jefferson Branch Library (Dec 31) and Noon Year's Eve Party at Bainbridge Library (Dec 31), plus 3 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Cleveland.
15 start this December: Breakfast with Santa & Friends at Trevi (Dec 12), Breakfast with Santa at The Center in Stow (Dec 12), Santa Photos at SouthPark (Nov 6 to Dec 24), North Pole Adventure (Nov 13 to Dec 22) and Santa Photos at Great Lakes Mall (Nov 13 to Dec 24), plus 10 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 2, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Cleveland that weekend.
Christmas lights in Cleveland