What to do with kids in Grand Rapids over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: one says it’s open on Christmas Day. Plus five dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Woodland Mall, Macy's Court · 3195 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Good to know: Pet photo Mondays Nov 16 – Dec 14.
The Lakes · 5600 Harvey Street, Muskegon, MI 49444
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot).
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids, MI
Good to know: Ends inside the conservatory and Christmas & Holiday Traditions railway garden; cashless.
LMCU Ballpark · 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321
Good to know: Also a Memory Lane walk and train on site per menu.
Deer Tracks Junction · Cedar Springs, MI
Good to know: A two-mile drive under and through the lights, longer this year. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes.
Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids Branch · 746 Lakeside Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Good to know: Noisemakers, a craft and a countdown that lands at lunchtime instead of bedtime. The branch sits on Reeds Lake, so a lakeside walk after makes an easy morning of it.
Kent District Library, Cascade Township Branch · 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Good to know: The earliest of KDL's noon parties, starting at 11, which suits kids who need lunch and a nap right at 12. Crafts and noisemakers lead up to the countdown.
Kent District Library, Meijer Library – Walker Branch · 4293 Remembrance Rd. NW, Walker, MI 49534
Good to know: West-side families can count down at the Walker branch, newly expanded this year. Expect crafts and noisemakers, then a cheer at noon.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids, MI
Good to know: Ends inside the conservatory and Christmas & Holiday Traditions railway garden; cashless.
LMCU Ballpark · 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321
Good to know: Also a Memory Lane walk and train on site per menu.
Deer Tracks Junction · Cedar Springs, MI
Good to know: A two-mile drive under and through the lights, longer this year. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in GREvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in GREvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in GRFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in GRFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in GRIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in GRStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in GRHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in GRParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in GRKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in GRParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in GRPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in GRBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in GRChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas tree farms in GRChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in GRDates, times and what the organizer posts for kids
Splash pads in GRSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in GRStarting prices, ages and what’s included
More things to do with kids in Grand Rapids this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
HappyKids Indoor Playground (9 a.m.–7 p.m.) posts that it’s open on Christmas Day. Closed: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Open with posted hours: HappyKids Indoor Playground (9 a.m.–5 p.m.). On the calendar: Santa Photos at Woodland Mall and Santa Photos at The Lakes.
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.
On the calendar for Jan 1: ENLIGHTEN, Christmas Lite Show and Deer Tracks Junction Drive-Thru Christmas Lights. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
ENLIGHTEN, Christmas Lite Show and Deer Tracks Junction Drive-Thru Christmas Lights. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
The month’s dated listings are on the December page, and rink dates and skate aids are on the ice skating page.
Choose-and-cut farms within about 40 miles, with wagon rides, Santa, cocoa and kid notes, are on the Christmas tree farms page.
Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the tree lighting page.
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.
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