What to do with kids in Inland Empire over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: two say they’re open on Christmas Day and two on New Year’s Day. Plus three 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.
Victoria Gardens, Chaffey Town Square · 12505 North Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Good to know: Santa's set in Town Square runs all season. Book a slot ahead so you aren't waiting in line with a tired toddler.
The Mission Inn and Main Street · 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
Good to know: The switch-on ceremony is Saturday, Nov 21 at 5pm at Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue, with fireworks after. Arrive by 4:30.
Albert S. White Park · 3936 Chestnut St, Riverside, CA 92501
Good to know: New this year: a holiday light maze, a lit photo trail and a Snowball Arena with soft snowballs, part of Riverside’s Festival of Lights.
Chaffey Town Square, Victoria Gardens · 12505 North Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Good to know: A live DJ, crafts, balloon artists and a confetti countdown at noon.
The Mission Inn and Main Street · 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
Good to know: The switch-on ceremony is Saturday, Nov 21 at 5pm at Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue, with fireworks after. Arrive by 4:30.
Open on New Year’s Day: San Bernardino County Museum, Chino Youth Museum.
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 Inland EmpireEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Inland EmpireEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Inland EmpireFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in Inland EmpireIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Inland EmpireBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in Inland EmpireParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in Inland EmpireParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in Inland EmpireBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Inland EmpireChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in Inland EmpireDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
San Bernardino County Museum (Dec 24 and Dec 25: closed (county holidays)), Chino Youth Museum (Dec 24, 25 and 26: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa photos at Victoria Gardens.
San Bernardino County Museum (Dec 31 and Jan 1: closed (county holidays)), Chino Youth Museum (Dec 31 and Jan 1: closed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside and Candy Land at Albert S. White Park. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
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 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Inland Empire, through the holidays.
