# Christmas break with kids in Dayton, 2026 > What to do with kids in Dayton over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus 13 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between. - Last checked: 2026-10-21 - 4 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 17 dated outings - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/christmas-break/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/llms.txt ## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1 - **Boonshoft Museum of Discovery**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and SunWatch Village are always closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day .” Source: https://boonshoft.org/plan-your-visit-2/ (checked 2026-10-21) - **Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day” Source: https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/wegerzyn-gardens/ (checked 2026-10-21) - **Cox Arboretum MetroPark**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day” Source: https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/cox-arboretum/ (checked 2026-10-21) - **Carillon Historical Park**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.” Source: https://www.daytonhistory.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-21) ## Christmas Eve - **Visit with Santa (book ahead)** at Dayton Mall, 2700 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: Photo packages (prices not posted). Reservations open now. Official page: https://www.daytonmall.com/event-details/visit-with-santa-book-ahead-1 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa at Deck the Diamond** at Day Air Ballpark, Dayton, OH. When: Select nights Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 (Santa nights per event calendar). Time: Mon–Thu 6–9 p.m.; Fri–Sun 5:30–9 p.m. Price: Included with $13.50 admission (2 and under free); North Pole Express train extra. Meet Santa and photos, letters to Santa, ornament craft, North Pole Express kiddie train. Official page: https://www.dragonsdeckthediamond.com/event-information (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa's Workshop at Christmas Glow** at Land of Illusion, Middletown, OH. When: Nov 20 – Dec 24, 2026. Time: 6–10 p.m. Price: See ticket page. Christmas Village with Santa's Workshop and Polar Petting Zoo; village closed Dec 26–30 (drive-thru only). Official page: https://www.landofillusion.com/glow/attractions/christmas-drive-thru/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at The Mall at Fairfield Commons** at The Mall at Fairfield Commons, 2727 Fairfield Commons, Beavercreek, OH 45431. When: Nov 13–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1426 (checked 2026-10-19) - **Santa Photos at The Greene Town Center** at The Greene Town Center, 4382 Juniper Way, Beavercreek, OH 45440. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1517 (checked 2026-10-19) ## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30) - **Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill** at Historic Clifton Mill, Clifton, OH (Greene County). When: Nightly Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (closed New Year's Eve). Time: Gates 5 p.m.; lights on 6–9 p.m.; Dec 24 & 25 6–8 p.m. Price: $15 per person ages 4+; 3 and under free; free parking. Mon–Thu much less crowded; Saturday busiest. Miniature village, Santa Claus Museum, covered-bridge light show, new 20-ft tree. Official page: https://cliftonmill.com/christmas-lights/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **A Carillon Christmas** at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409. When: Nov 24 – Dec 30, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24, Dec 25). Time: Sun–Thu 5–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–10 p.m. Price: Adults $14, seniors $12, kids 3–17 $10, 2 and under free; members free. Carillon Tree of Light, train rides, Santa. Preview party Nov 21. Official page: https://daytonhistory.org/events/special-events/a-carillon-christmas/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Deck the Diamond** at Day Air Ballpark, Dayton, OH. When: Select nights Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Mon–Thu 6–9 p.m.; Fri–Sun 5:30–9 p.m. Price: $13.50 all dates (fees included); 2 and under free; +$2 day-of. Walk-thru around the ballpark concourse. Official page: https://www.dragonsdeckthediamond.com/event-information (checked 2026-11-03) - **The Christmas Glow drive-thru** at Land of Illusion, Middletown, OH. When: Nov 20 – Dec 24, 2026 (closed Christmas Day); drive-thru only Dec 26–30. Time: 6–10 p.m.; Dec 26–30 6–9 p.m. Price: See ticket page. 3.8 million lights on a 2-mile Christmas Around the World route; 45-ft tree; about 35 minutes south. Official page: https://www.landofillusion.com/glow/attractions/christmas-drive-thru/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Woodland Lights** at Countryside Park, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Dayton, OH 45459. When: Nov 20–22, Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6, 11–13 and 18–23, 2026; lights only Dec 26–30. Time: 6–9 p.m. (gate closes 8:30). Price: Free; Santa visits $10 per family by registration. Washington Township's 35th year. The walking path is shorter this season because of park construction. Official page: https://www.washingtontwp.org/recreation/woodland_lights (checked 2026-11-03) - **Light Up Middletown** at Smith Park, Middletown, OH. When: Nightly, Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve 2026. Time: 6–10 p.m. Price: Cash donation, you set the price. A volunteer-run drive through Smith Park that stays open on holidays and in any weather. Official page: https://www.lightupmiddletown.org/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **ParkLights at Caesar Ford** at Caesar Ford Park, 520 South Stringtown Road, Xenia, OH 45385. When: December 1–31, 2026. Time: 6–9 p.m. Price: Free. The drive winds through themed displays and ends with a wave to Santa, and donations are accepted at the exit. Official page: https://www.gcparkstrails.com/events/parklights/ (checked 2026-11-10) - **MetroParks Ice Rink** at RiverScape MetroPark, Downtown. When: Nov 27 – Feb 26. Price: $7 a day; Access to Nature cardholders $1.75. Family season pass (up to 5 people) $150, skate rental included. Weekly theme nights. Official page: https://www.metroparks.org/ice-rink/ (checked 2026-10-20) ## New Year’s Eve and Day - **Noon Year's Eve Celebration** at West Carrollton Civic Center lobby, 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton, OH 45449. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Price: $5 per child; registration required. Ages: 4–12. Crafts, quiet games, a silent disco, snacks and a balloon drop at noon. Run by West Carrollton Parks and Recreation. Official page: https://www.daytonlocal.com/family/noon-years-eve-2026-west-carrollton/ (checked 2026-10-18) - **Noon Year’s Eve at Fairborn Community Library** at Greene County Public Library – Fairborn Community Library, 1 East Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. For ages 3–8: ring in the new year early with a countdown to noon. Official page: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6adfb52aebad220045481cf6 (checked 2026-10-29) - **Noon Year’s Eve at Centerville Library** at Washington-Centerville Public Library – Centerville Library, Centerville. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–12:30pm. Price: Free. A family program with festive activities and a ringing-in of the new year at noon. Official page: https://events.wclibrary.info/event/16090832 (checked 2026-10-29) - **Deck the Diamond** at Day Air Ballpark, Dayton, OH. When: Select nights Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Mon–Thu 6–9 p.m.; Fri–Sun 5:30–9 p.m. Price: $13.50 all dates (fees included); 2 and under free; +$2 day-of. Walk-thru around the ballpark concourse. Official page: https://www.dragonsdeckthediamond.com/event-information (checked 2026-11-03) ## More holiday outings in Dayton - [The Nutcracker with kids in Dayton](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. - [Christmas markets in Dayton](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes. ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### What’s open on Christmas Day in Dayton with kids? Of the four places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Cox Arboretum MetroPark and Carillon Historical Park are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan. ### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Dayton? On the calendar: Visit with Santa (book ahead), Santa at Deck the Diamond, Santa's Workshop at Christmas Glow and Santa Photos at The Mall at Fairfield Commons. ### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Dayton? None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open. ### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Dayton? On the calendar for Jan 1: Deck the Diamond. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change. ### Where can kids go sledding or snow tubing near Dayton? Englewood MetroPark, Germantown MetroPark and Taylorsville MetroPark. All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first. The full list, with height rules, is on [sledding hills and snow tubing near Dayton](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/sledding/). ### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Dayton? Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, A Carillon Christmas, Deck the Diamond, The Christmas Glow drive-thru and Woodland Lights. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days. ### Where are the rest of the December plans in Dayton? The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/ice-skating/). ### Where can we cut a Christmas tree near Dayton? Choose-and-cut farms within about 40 miles, with wagon rides, Santa, cocoa and kid notes, are on the [Christmas tree farms page](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/christmas-tree-farms/). ### When is the tree lighting in Dayton? Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/christmas-tree-lighting/). ### How do you check these holiday hours? 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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).