# Christmas break with kids in Grand Rapids, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 3 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 11 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **Frederik Meijer Gardens**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed: Every Monday in January, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Hours may change seasonally or during special exhibitions.” Source: https://www.meijergardens.org (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Grand Rapids Public Museum**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “CLOSED: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas Day” Source: https://www.grpm.org/hours (checked 2026-10-21)
- **HappyKids Indoor Playground**: Christmas Eve 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Christmas Day 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “🎅 12/24 (Christmas Eve): 9 AM – 5 PM 🎄 12/25 (Christmas Day): 9 AM – 7 PM” Source: https://www.happykidsindoorplayground.com/ (checked 2026-10-21)

## Christmas Eve

- **Santa Photos at Woodland Mall** at Woodland Mall, Macy's Court, 3195 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. When: Nov 13–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: $19.99 time-slot reservation (no package required); packages from $44.99; walk-ups welcome. Pet photo Mondays Nov 16 – Dec 14. Official page: https://shopwoodlandmall.com/santa (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Santa Photos at The Lakes** at The Lakes, 5600 Harvey Street, Muskegon, MI 49444. When: Dec 4–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1134 (checked 2026-11-03)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **ENLIGHTEN** at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI. When: Nov 23 – Jan 10 (2026–27 season). Time: Entry 5:30–8:30 p.m.; closes 10 p.m.; Welcome Plaza from 5 p.m. Price: Timed: adult $32, senior/student $24, child 3–13 $16, under 2 free; Anytime ticket $42 / $34 / $26; members 10% off; select value nights reduced. Ends inside the conservatory and Christmas & Holiday Traditions railway garden; cashless. Official page: https://www.meijergardens.org/enlighten/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Christmas Lite Show** at LMCU Ballpark, 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. When: Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027, open all holidays. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m. Also a Memory Lane walk and train on site per menu. Official page: https://christmasliteshow.com/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Deer Tracks Junction Drive-Thru Christmas Lights** at Deer Tracks Junction, Cedar Springs, MI. When: Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Mon–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sun 5:30–10 p.m. Price: $40 per passenger vehicle; $85 per group van (15-passenger vans). A two-mile drive under and through the lights, longer this year. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes. Official page: https://deertracksjunction.com/adventures/christmas-light-show/ (checked 2026-11-10)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Countdown to Happy Noon Year at KDL East Grand Rapids** at Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids Branch, 746 Lakeside Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/events/6aac19ce129d8e0031f2f9fe (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Countdown to Happy Noon Year at KDL Cascade** at Kent District Library, Cascade Township Branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–noon. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/events/6aba716f101eb7003f3382fc (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Countdown to Happy Noon Year at the Meijer Library – Walker Branch** at Kent District Library, Meijer Library – Walker Branch, 4293 Remembrance Rd. NW, Walker, MI 49534. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Price: Free. West-side families can count down at the Walker branch, newly expanded this year. Expect crafts and noisemakers, then a cheer at noon. Official page: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/events/6ab2cc2c129d8e0031f444d1 (checked 2026-10-28)
- **ENLIGHTEN** at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI. When: Nov 23 – Jan 10 (2026–27 season). Time: Entry 5:30–8:30 p.m.; closes 10 p.m.; Welcome Plaza from 5 p.m. Price: Timed: adult $32, senior/student $24, child 3–13 $16, under 2 free; Anytime ticket $42 / $34 / $26; members 10% off; select value nights reduced. Ends inside the conservatory and Christmas & Holiday Traditions railway garden; cashless. Official page: https://www.meijergardens.org/enlighten/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Christmas Lite Show** at LMCU Ballpark, 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. When: Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027, open all holidays. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m. Also a Memory Lane walk and train on site per menu. Official page: https://christmasliteshow.com/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Deer Tracks Junction Drive-Thru Christmas Lights** at Deer Tracks Junction, Cedar Springs, MI. When: Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Mon–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sun 5:30–10 p.m. Price: $40 per passenger vehicle; $85 per group van (15-passenger vans). A two-mile drive under and through the lights, longer this year. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes. Official page: https://deertracksjunction.com/adventures/christmas-light-show/ (checked 2026-11-10)

## More holiday outings in Grand Rapids

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Grand Rapids](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Grand Rapids](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/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.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in Grand Rapids with kids?
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.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Grand Rapids?
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.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Grand Rapids?
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 Grand Rapids?
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.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Grand Rapids?
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.

### Where are the rest of the December plans in Grand Rapids?
The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/ice-skating/).

### Where can we cut a Christmas tree near Grand Rapids?
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/grand-rapids/christmas-tree-farms/).

### When is the tree lighting in Grand Rapids?
Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/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/).