December 2026Madison · Mad City

December in Madison with little kids.

28 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Madison 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 · 3 free

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

15 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

Dec3Thu

Build & Play!

Monona Public Library · 1000 Nichols Rd., Monona, WI 53716

When
Dec 3, 10, 17 and 31
Time
11–11:30am
Price
No pricing information
Ages
Ages 0–8
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

4 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

3 listings

Dec 14 to Dec 20

Dec17Thu

LEGO® Club

Sun Prairie Public Library · 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590

When
Thursday, Dec 17
Time
2–3:30pm
Price
No pricing information
Ages
Ages 0–8
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec19Sat

Puzzle Club

Sun Prairie Public Library · 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590

When
Saturday, Dec 19
Time
10am–2pm
Price
No pricing information
Ages
Ages 0–5
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

1 listing

Dec 28 to Dec 31

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

6 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 23

Zoo Lights

Henry Vilas Zoo · Madison, WI

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Dec 23
Time
Evenings
Price
$12; advance 4-pack $40; 3 and under free, no ticket needed
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Cave of Lights

Cave of the Mounds · 2975 Cave of the Mounds Rd, Blue Mounds, WI 53517

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Jan 31
Time
9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last tour at 4. Select December and January days 9 a.m.–7 p.m., last tour at 6
Price
Included with a cave tour ticket; price not listed
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Holiday Light Show (30th year)

Rotary Botanical Gardens · 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI 53545

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Jan 2
Time
Doors 4:30 p.m.; last admission 8:30; dark at 9
Price
Adults $18; kids 3–12 $5; 2 and under free (online and door)
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Madison

Santa visits in MadisonBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in MadisonDrive-thru and walk-through displaysIndoor play for toddlersThings to do with toddlers in MadisonChristmas train ridesDates, ages and ticket pricesIce skating for kidsHoliday rinks, prices and skate aidsSledding and snow tubingHills and tubing parks, with height rulesEvery year in MadisonAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Madison

November: things to do in MadisonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in MadisonFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in MadisonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesIce skating in MadisonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesSledding in MadisonSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rulesThanksgiving weekend in MadisonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas parades in MadisonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in MadisonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in MadisonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in MadisonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in MadisonChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in MadisonDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsSplash pads in MadisonSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursMore things to do with kids in Madison this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Madison: the FAQ

28 dated listings so far, including Toddler Playtime (Dec 1, Dec 8, Dec 15 and Dec 29), Wisconsin State Capitol Tree Lighting (Dec 1), Dance Around the World (Dec 2 and Dec 9) and Preschool Story Time (Dec 2, Dec 7, Dec 9, Dec 14 and Dec 16). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Cold or rainy days are on indoor play for toddlers in Madison, 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.

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 Madison that weekend.

Madison skyline