December 2026Dayton · The Gem City

December in Dayton with little kids.

28 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Dayton 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.

28 listings · 8 free

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

7 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

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

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

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

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

2 listings

Dec 21 to Dec 27

3 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Dec31Thu

Noon Year's Eve Celebration

West Carrollton Civic Center lobby · 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton, OH 45449

Noon Year’s Eve
When
Thursday, Dec 31
Time
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Price
$5 per child; registration required
Ages
Ages 4–12
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

14 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

Deck the Diamond

Day Air Ballpark · Dayton, OH

Holiday lights
When
Nov 13 to Jan 2
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Santa at Deck the Diamond

Day Air Ballpark · Dayton, OH

Santa
When
Nov 13 to Jan 2
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at The Greene Town Center

The Greene Town Center · 4382 Juniper Way, Beavercreek, OH 45440

Santa
When
Nov 20 to Dec 24
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Visit with Santa (book ahead)

Dayton Mall · 2700 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459

Santa
When
Nov 20 to Dec 24
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)
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 30

Woodland Lights

Countryside Park · 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Dayton, OH 45459

Holiday lightsFree
When
Nov 20 to Dec 30
Time
6–9 p.m. (gate closes 8:30)
Price
Free; Santa visits $10 per family by registration
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 30

A Carillon Christmas

Carillon Historical Park · 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409

Holiday lights
When
Nov 24 to Dec 30
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 23

Santa at A Carillon Christmas

Carillon Historical Park, Heritage Center · 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409

Santa
When
Nov 24 to Dec 23
Time
5–9 p.m.
Price
Included with admission: adults $14, seniors $12, kids 3–17 $10, 2 and under free
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Dayton

Santa visits in DaytonBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in DaytonDrive-thru and walk-through displaysIndoor play for toddlersThings to do with toddlers in DaytonChristmas train ridesDates, ages and ticket pricesIce skating for kidsHoliday rinks, prices and skate aidsSledding and snow tubingHills and tubing parks, with height rulesChristmas break with kidsWhat’s open Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Noon Year’s EveA noon countdown on Dec 31Every year in DaytonAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Dayton

November: things to do in DaytonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in DaytonFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in DaytonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in DaytonStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchIce skating in DaytonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesSledding in DaytonSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rulesThanksgiving weekend in DaytonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in DaytonKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in DaytonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in DaytonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in DaytonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in DaytonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in DaytonChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in DaytonDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in DaytonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1More things to do with kids in Dayton this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Dayton: the FAQ

28 dated listings so far, including Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination (Dec 4), Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination (Dec 4), Hometown Holiday Festival (Dec 4) and Breakfast with Santa at Washington Township RecPlex (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

18 start this December: Hometown Holiday Festival (Dec 4), Breakfast with Santa at Washington Township RecPlex (Dec 5), Vandalia Jingle Fest (Dec 5), Winter Welcome at Wartinger Park (Dec 11) and Deck the Diamond (Nov 13 to Jan 2), plus 13 more below.

Cold or rainy days are on indoor play for toddlers in Dayton, with ages, prices and hours from each place’s own site.

Season dates, prices and skate aids are on the ice skating page.

Hills and tubing parks, with height rules for little kids, are on the sledding page. Every hill needs snow, so check the park’s status page the morning you go.

Holiday hours for Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are on the Christmas break page.

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 12, 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 Dayton that weekend.

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