Christmas break 2026Memphis · Bluff City

Christmas break with kids in Memphis, 2026.

What to do with kids in Memphis over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus five dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

The quick answersChecked
Open on Christmas Day?None of the 3 we checked. Plan a park or a lights drive.0 of 3 openAnything on Christmas Eve?1 open with posted hours, 2 dated outings.2 outingsDec 26–30?Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure and 2 more.3 runningNew Year’s Day?2 New Year’s Day outings posted.See below

Last checked · 3 places checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1

What’s open over Christmas in Memphis

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.

PlaceDec 24Dec 25Jan 1Source
Children’s Museum of MemphisTheir page says: “Holiday closures include Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.”Christmas EveClosedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayNot postedHours page ↗ · Oct 21
Memphis ZooTheir page says: “(Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)”Christmas EveClosedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayNot postedHours page ↗ · Oct 21

“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.

Day by day

The break, one day at a time

Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.

Christmas Eve

Thursday, Dec 24. Many places close early, so check each card’s times.
Nov21to Dec 27

Santa at the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees

Museum of Science & History – Pink Palace · 3050 Central Ave., Memphis, TN

When
Nov 21 – Dec 27, 2026
Time
Tue–Sun 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (box office closes 4:30); open until 8:30 p.m. Dec 10 and 18; Christmas Eve closes 3 p.m.
Price
$7 adults; $6 seniors and ages 3–12

Good to know: A walk-through holiday forest benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, with Santa there to hear wish lists. Santa photo packages start at $10. Buy tickets online ahead.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov20to Dec 24

Santa Photos at Wolfchase Galleria

Wolfchase Galleria · 2760 N Germantown Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38133

When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving)
Time
Most days 2–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page

Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 1 evening (Dec 13).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

The days in between

Saturday, Dec 26 to Wednesday, Dec 30. Light displays and holiday rinks still running.
Nov21to Jan 3

Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure

Shelby Farms Park · 6903 Great View Dr. N., Memphis, TN 38134

When
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Evenings
Price
See the ticket page

Good to know: A brand-new drive-through light show for 2026, so little ones can stay buckled in.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov13to Feb 14

Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo

Memphis Zoo · 2000 Prentiss Pl., Memphis, TN 38112

When
Select nights Nov 13, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027
Time
5–9:30 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.)
Price
$25 ($23 members); under 2 free

Good to know: More than 60 lantern displays and walk-through tunnels replace Zoo Lights this year, and Dec 9 is a sensory night.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 30

Holiday Wonders at the Garden

Memphis Botanic Garden · 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis, TN

When
Select evenings Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026
Time
5–8:30pm (to 9:30pm Dec 18–23)
Price
Advance $17 ($15 members); same day $20; under 2 free

Good to know: Tickets on sale from Nov 6 at 10 a.m. Theme nights include Santa Sundays and Jingle Jammies.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec 31. Noon countdowns and early celebrations.
Dec31Thu

Noon Year's Eve at Central Library

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (Lobby) · 3030 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111

Free
Time
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: The library's main lobby hosts a craft, a dance party and a noon countdown that finishes with confetti cannons. It's paid for by the Memphis Library Foundation.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan 1.
Nov21to Jan 3

Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure

Shelby Farms Park · 6903 Great View Dr. N., Memphis, TN 38134

When
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Evenings
Price
See the ticket page

Good to know: A brand-new drive-through light show for 2026, so little ones can stay buckled in.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov13to Feb 14

Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo

Memphis Zoo · 2000 Prentiss Pl., Memphis, TN 38112

When
Select nights Nov 13, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027
Time
5–9:30 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.)
Price
$25 ($23 members); under 2 free

Good to know: More than 60 lantern displays and walk-through tunnels replace Zoo Lights this year, and Dec 9 is a sensory night.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Rainy-day backup

Indoor places to try

These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

East Memphis

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Memphis

November: things to do in MemphisEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in MemphisEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in MemphisFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in MemphisIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in MemphisStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchThanksgiving weekend in MemphisParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas parades in MemphisParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in MemphisBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in MemphisChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursMore things to do with kids in Memphis this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas break in Memphis: the FAQ

Of the three places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Children’s Museum of Memphis, Memphis Zoo and Dixon Gallery & Gardens are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.

Open with posted hours: Dixon Gallery & Gardens (Closes at 2 p.m.). On the calendar: Santa at the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees and Santa Photos at Wolfchase Galleria.

None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

On the calendar for Jan 1: Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure and Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure, Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo and Holiday Wonders at the Garden. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

The month’s dated listings are on the December 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.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Memphis, through the holidays.

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