December 2026Dallas–Fort Worth · The Metroplex

December in Dallas–Fort Worth with little kids.

24 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Dallas–Fort Worth 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.

24 listings · 12 free

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

8 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

Dec5Sat

Dallas Holiday Parade

Downtown Dallas, starting at Commerce and Houston streets · Dallas

Parade or tree lightingFree
When
Saturday, Dec 5
Time
Step-off 8:30am
Price
Free to watch; bleacher seats sold
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

3 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

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

6 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

7 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 31

Holiday at the Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218

Holiday lights
When
Nov 11 to Jan 3
Time
Daytime 9am–4pm; Holiday at Night 5–10pm
Price
Night $35–$40 (adults and kids 3–12); daytime $17.95–$25.95; under 3 free
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Dallas Zoo Lights

Dallas Zoo · 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy., Dallas, TX 75203

Holiday lights
When
Nov 13 to Jan 3
Time
5:30–9pm
Price
From $19; Patron members and above free; Dual-Passport members 20% off
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Prairie Lights

Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake · 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Holiday lights
When
Nov 26 to Dec 31
Time
Opens 6pm; line closes 10pm or at capacity
Price
$50 per car
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 27

Frostival at Howell Family Farms

Howell Family Farms · 4016 W. Division St., Arlington, TX 76012

Holiday lights
When
Nov 28 to Dec 27
Time
Entry 5:30–8pm through Dec 10, 5:30–8:30pm from Dec 11
Price
Kids 4–11 from $16, ages 12 and up from $21, family pass from $60; 3 and under free; parking $10
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 Dallas–Fort Worth

Santa visits in Dallas–Fort WorthBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in Dallas–Fort WorthDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in Dallas–Fort WorthAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Dallas–Fort Worth

November: things to do in Dallas–Fort WorthEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in Dallas–Fort WorthFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in Dallas–Fort WorthFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in Dallas–Fort WorthIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in Dallas–Fort WorthBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in Dallas–Fort WorthHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in Dallas–Fort WorthParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Dallas–Fort WorthKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Dallas–Fort WorthParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Dallas–Fort WorthBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Dallas–Fort WorthChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in Dallas–Fort WorthWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in Dallas–Fort WorthStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in Dallas–Fort WorthDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Dallas–Fort Worth: the FAQ

24 dated listings so far, including Grapevine Parade of Lights (Dec 3), A Garland Christmas on the Square (Dec 4), Breakfast with Santa (Frisco) (Dec 5) and Dallas Holiday Parade (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

A Garland Christmas on the Square (Dec 4), Dallas Holiday Parade (Dec 5), Denton Holiday Lighting Festival (Dec 5), Dickens in Downtown Plano (Dec 5) and Holidays at Heritage: Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 5), plus 7 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Dallas–Fort Worth.

13 start this December: Grapevine Parade of Lights (Dec 3), A Garland Christmas on the Square (Dec 4), Breakfast with Santa (Frisco) (Dec 5), Dickens in Downtown Plano (Dec 5) and Snacks with Santa in Garland (Dec 8), plus 8 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 Dallas–Fort Worth that weekend.

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