December 2026Northwest Arkansas · The Ozarks

December in Northwest Arkansas with little kids.

7 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Northwest Arkansas 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.

7 listings · 3 free

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

2 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

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

4 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.

Guides

More December guides for NW Arkansas

Santa visits in NW ArkansasBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in NW ArkansasDrive-thru and walk-through displays

Keep planning

More for little kids in NW Arkansas

November: things to do in NW ArkansasEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in NW ArkansasFree days, free events and places that never chargeLibrary storytimes in NW ArkansasBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchThanksgiving weekend in NW ArkansasParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas parades in NW ArkansasParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in NW ArkansasBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in NW ArkansasChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in NW ArkansasDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in NW Arkansas: the FAQ

7 dated listings so far, including Lights of the Ozarks Parade (Dec 3), Santa at Pinnacle Hills Promenade (Dec 4), Bentonville Christmas Parade (Dec 12) and Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges (Nov 19 to Jan 2). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Lights of the Ozarks Parade (Dec 3), Lights of the Ozarks (Nov 20 to Jan 1) and Visits with Santa on the Downtown Square (Dec 4 to Dec 18). For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in NW Arkansas.

5 start this December: Santa at Pinnacle Hills Promenade (Dec 4), Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges (Nov 19 to Jan 2), Lights of the Ozarks (Nov 20 to Jan 1), Santa Photos at Northwest Arkansas Mall (Nov 20 to Dec 24) and Visits with Santa on the Downtown Square (Dec 4 to Dec 18).

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 Oct 30, 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 NW Arkansas that weekend.

Northwest Arkansas skyline