Dallas

Monthly roundup

Things to do in Dallas with kids in December 2026

Updated Nov 3, 2026

6 upcoming family events this month.

Start here

Top picks

  1. Photo: Bibiscal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

    1. Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas

    When
    Wed, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Daytime 9 AM–4 PM; Holiday at Night 5–10 PM; Night Owl 8:30–10 PM. Closed during the day on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, but open those nights.
    Where
    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
    Price
    Daytime: adults $21.95–$25.95, children 3–12 $17.95–$21.95, under 3 free. Holiday at Night: $35–$40 (under 3 free; walk-up +$4). Night Owl (8:30–10 PM): $15. "Holiday Cheer" $12 pricing on Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1. Parking $15.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    "The 12 Days of Christmas: One Final Chorus" is the last season of the Arboretum's 12 Days gazebos. There's also a Christmas Village and the decorated DeGolyer House. Visit during the day, or at night when the lights are on.

  2. 2. Dallas Zoo Lights

    When
    Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights Nov 13, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Check the calendar for open nights.
    Where
    Dallas Zoo · Oak Cliff / South Dallas
    Price
    General admission from $19 (varies by date). Combo ticket (daytime zoo from 2:30 PM + Zoo Lights) costs $10 more. Parking $15, not included. Private igloos from $200.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    More than 2 million lights at the Dallas Zoo on select nights. There's Santa, a Holiday Maze and Destination: Dinosaurs. Most animals will be asleep. It runs rain or shine.

  3. 3. The Trains at NorthPark

    When
    Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 14, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM; Sun 12–6 PM. Opens 10 AM on Nov 14. Closes early on Thanksgiving Eve (6 PM), Christmas Eve (4 PM) and New Year's Eve (4 PM). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
    Where
    Ronald McDonald House Dallas · North Dallas
    Price
    Adults $13; children $11; seniors $8; under 2 free.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    A miniature train exhibit with hundreds of trains on 1,600 feet of track, rolling past tiny cityscapes and landmarks from across America. It benefits Ronald McDonald House Dallas.

  4. 4. Dallas Holiday Parade

    When
    Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Step-off 8:30 AM; it lasts about two hours.
    Where
    Dallas Holiday Parade · Downtown
    Price
    Free street-side viewing. Reserved seating is sold separately (price not posted on the FAQ).
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    The 39th annual downtown parade, with giant character balloons, marching bands, floats, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Watching from the street is free; reserved seats cost extra. Vendors and entertainment set up at Main Street Gardens and Civic Gardens before and after.

All events in December 2026

Tuesday, Dec 1

Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas

When
Wed, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Daytime 9 AM–4 PM; Holiday at Night 5–10 PM; Night Owl 8:30–10 PM. Closed during the day on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, but open those nights.
Where
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
Price
Daytime: adults $21.95–$25.95, children 3–12 $17.95–$21.95, under 3 free. Holiday at Night: $35–$40 (under 3 free; walk-up +$4). Night Owl (8:30–10 PM): $15. "Holiday Cheer" $12 pricing on Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1. Parking $15.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

"The 12 Days of Christmas: One Final Chorus" is the last season of the Arboretum's 12 Days gazebos. There's also a Christmas Village and the decorated DeGolyer House. Visit during the day, or at night when the lights are on.

Dallas Zoo Lights

When
Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights Nov 13, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Check the calendar for open nights.
Where
Dallas Zoo · Oak Cliff / South Dallas
Price
General admission from $19 (varies by date). Combo ticket (daytime zoo from 2:30 PM + Zoo Lights) costs $10 more. Parking $15, not included. Private igloos from $200.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

More than 2 million lights at the Dallas Zoo on select nights. There's Santa, a Holiday Maze and Destination: Dinosaurs. Most animals will be asleep. It runs rain or shine.

The Trains at NorthPark

When
Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 14, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM; Sun 12–6 PM. Opens 10 AM on Nov 14. Closes early on Thanksgiving Eve (6 PM), Christmas Eve (4 PM) and New Year's Eve (4 PM). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Where
Ronald McDonald House Dallas · North Dallas
Price
Adults $13; children $11; seniors $8; under 2 free.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

A miniature train exhibit with hundreds of trains on 1,600 feet of track, rolling past tiny cityscapes and landmarks from across America. It benefits Ronald McDonald House Dallas.

Saturday, Dec 5

Dallas Holiday Parade

When
Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Step-off 8:30 AM; it lasts about two hours.
Where
Dallas Holiday Parade · Downtown
Price
Free street-side viewing. Reserved seating is sold separately (price not posted on the FAQ).
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

The 39th annual downtown parade, with giant character balloons, marching bands, floats, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Watching from the street is free; reserved seats cost extra. Vendors and entertainment set up at Main Street Gardens and Civic Gardens before and after.

Saturday, Dec 12

FAQ

Questions parents ask

What are the best kids events in Dallas in December 2026?

Our top picks for December 2026: Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas, Dallas Zoo Lights, The Trains at NorthPark, Dallas Holiday Parade and Klyde Warren Park Tree Lighting Celebration.

Which December 2026 events are free?

2 events in December 2026 are free, including Dallas Holiday Parade and Klyde Warren Park Tree Lighting Celebration. For free picks right now, see Free this weekend.

What's happening this weekend?

We list 4 family events for Nov 13–15, 2026. See them on This weekend.

Are there multi-week exhibits I can visit any day?

Yes. These run for more than a week: Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas (through Jan 3, 2027), Dallas Zoo Lights (through Jan 3, 2027) and The Trains at NorthPark (through Jan 3, 2027). Check each listing for open days and hours.

How do I know event details are accurate?

Zippy Guide is the weekend list for Dallas parents: an independent, family-friendly guide to things to do in Dallas — story times, museums, parks, farmers markets, classes and open gym times. We gather details from organizers' public websites so you can plan your weekend in minutes. We're independent and not affiliated with the organizers listed. Times and prices change, so always verify before you go.