December 2026Portland · City of Roses

December in Portland with little kids.

9 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Portland 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.

9 listings · 5 free

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

3 listings

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 31

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo

Oregon Zoo · 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Jan 3
Time
Nightly from 4:30pm; closed Nov 17–19, Nov 24–26 and Dec 25
Price
Adults $13–$35, youth $13–$30 by date
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec3to 20

Christmas Ships Parade

Willamette and Columbia rivers; Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Riverplace Esplanade are good viewing spots · Portland

Parade or tree lightingFree
When
Dec 3 to Dec 20
Time
Most nights 7–9pm; Dec 20 finale 5–7pm
Price
Free to watch from shore
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Portland

Santa visits in PortlandBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in PortlandDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in PortlandAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Portland

November: things to do in PortlandEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in PortlandFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in PortlandIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in PortlandBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in PortlandHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in PortlandParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in PortlandKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in PortlandParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PortlandPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PortlandBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in PortlandChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in PortlandWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in PortlandDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Portland: the FAQ

9 dated listings so far, including ¡Fiesta de Año Nuevo! Noon Year’s Eve Storytime (Dec 31), Noon Year’s Eve Party at Capitol Hill Library (Dec 31), Noon Year’s Eve Party at Hollywood Library (Dec 31) and ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo (Nov 20 to Jan 3). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

5 start this December: ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo (Nov 20 to Jan 3), Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto (Nov 27 to Dec 30), Holiday Express at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (Nov 27 to Dec 27), Breakfast with Santa at Kennedy School (Nov 28 to Dec 6) and Peacock Lane (Dec 15 to Dec 31).

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 Portland that weekend.

Portland skyline