What to do with kids in Seattle over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: three say they’re open on Christmas Day and three on New Year’s Day. Plus four 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.
Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion · 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109
Woodland Park Zoo · 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
Good to know: Low Sensory Nights are Nov 15, Dec 1 and Jan 10.
Seattle Center Armory · Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109
Good to know: A model train and holiday village inside the Armory. Kids can take a turn running the train between 10:30am and 5:30pm.
Downtown Bellevue · 100 100th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
KidsQuest Children’s Museum · 1116 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Good to know: Four daytime countdowns, so you can ring in the new year whenever your kid is awake.
Seattle Center · Seattle Center
Good to know: Space Needle light shows run at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30pm, which are easier with little ones than the midnight fireworks.
KCLS Renton Library · 100 Mill Ave S, Renton, WA 98057
Good to know: The Renton branch sits on a bridge over the Cedar River. Kids decorate a craft or two before counting down to noon, and the library aims it at preschoolers and early grade-schoolers. No registration is listed.
Woodland Park Zoo · 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
Good to know: Low Sensory Nights are Nov 15, Dec 1 and Jan 10.
Open on New Year’s Day: The Museum of Flight, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Woodland Park Zoo.
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 SeattleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in SeattleEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in SeattleFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in SeattleFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in SeattleIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in SeattleBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in SeattleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in SeattleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in SeattleKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in SeattleParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in SeattlePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in SeattleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in SeattleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in SeattleDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
The Museum of Flight (Dec 25: closed), KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Dec 24–25: closed), Woodland Park Zoo (Closed Christmas Day) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa at the Seattle Christmas Market.
The Museum of Flight (Not listed), KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Countdown), Woodland Park Zoo (Not listed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: WildLanterns. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
WildLanterns, Winterfest Winter Train and Village and Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink. 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 26, 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 Seattle, through the holidays.
