December 2026Grand Rapids · Furniture City

December in Grand Rapids with little kids.

23 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Grand Rapids 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.

23 listings · 8 free

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

5 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

Dec7Mon

Kids Zone

Englehardt (Lowell) Branch · 200 N. Monroe St., Lowell, MI 49331

When
Dec 7, 14, 21 and 28
Time
4:30–5:30pm
Price
No pricing information
Ages
Ages 5–10
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

2 listings

Dec 14 to Dec 20

4 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Dec28Mon

Storytime

East Grand Rapids Branch · 746 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Free
When
Monday, Dec 28
Time
11:00am–11:30am
Price
Free
Ages
Ages 0–5
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

11 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 24

Santa Photos at Woodland Mall

Woodland Mall, Macy's Court · 3195 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Santa
When
Nov 13 to Dec 24
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

ENLIGHTEN

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids, MI

Holiday lights
When
Nov 23 to Jan 10
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Deer Tracks Junction drive-through lights

Deer Tracks Junction · West Michigan

Thanksgiving
When
Nov 26 to Jan 3
Time
Monday–Thursday 5:30–9 p.m.; Friday–Sunday 5:30–10 p.m. The page says the show opens Nov. 26 and runs late November 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027.
Price
$40 per passenger vehicle; $85 per group van
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 20

Santa Train

Coopersville & Marne Railway · 306 Main Street, Coopersville, MI 49404

Santa
When
Nov 28 to Dec 20
Time
Departures at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; about 90 minutes
Price
Not listed; advance tickets recommended
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec4to 24

Santa Photos at The Lakes

The Lakes · 5600 Harvey Street, Muskegon, MI 49444

Santa
When
Dec 4 to Dec 24
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
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 GR

Santa visits in GRBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in GRDrive-thru and walk-through displaysIndoor play for toddlersThings to do with toddlers in GRChristmas train ridesDates, ages and ticket pricesIce skating for kidsHoliday rinks, prices and skate aidsChristmas break with kidsWhat’s open Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Noon Year’s EveA noon countdown on Dec 31Every year in GRAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in GR

November: things to do in GREvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in GRFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree 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 pricesLibrary storytimes in GRStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchIce skating in GRHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in GRParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in GRKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas 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 flaggedChristmas markets in GRChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in GRChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in GRDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in GRWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Splash pads in GRSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in GRStarting prices, ages and what’s includedMore things to do with kids in Grand Rapids this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in GR: the FAQ

23 dated listings so far, including Holland Parade of Lights (Dec 1), Storytime with Santa at RiverTown Crossings (Dec 2), Kentwood Tree Lighting & Stationary Holiday Parade (Dec 3) and Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Holland Parade of Lights (Dec 1), Storytime with Santa at RiverTown Crossings (Dec 2), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade (Dec 5) and Storytime (Dec 28), plus 3 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in GR.

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

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

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 GR that weekend.

Grand Rapids skyline