Little Rock

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Things to do in Little Rock with kids in December 2026

Updated Nov 3, 2026

5 upcoming family events this month.

Start here

Top picks

  1. Photo: Farther Along / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

    1. GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo

    When
    Thu, Oct 29 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights, Oct 29, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5–9 PM; last entry 8:30 PM. Closed Nov 8 (private event), Nov 26, Dec 24–25 and Jan 1.
    Where
    Little Rock Zoo · Midtown
    Price
    General admission $22.50 per person (ages 3+); Family 4-Pack $72. Members $19.50 / $64. 2 and under free. SNAP/EBT $10 per person at the gate (limit 6). Online fees may apply.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    The zoo's holiday lantern festival: large handcrafted silk lanterns of wildlife and nature, glowing pathways and photo spots, plus seasonal treats. It is one of the zoo's biggest fundraisers.

  2. 2. Gingerbread Man: The Untold Story (AMFA Children's Theatre)

    When
    Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Dec 13 · Public shows Nov 27–Dec 13, 2026: Friday, Nov 27 at 10:30 AM, then Saturdays 10:30 AM and 2 PM; Sundays 2 PM. Sat Dec 5: 10:30 AM audio-described, 2 PM ASL-interpreted. Sun Dec 6 2 PM: sensory-friendly.
    Where
    Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts · Downtown & River Market
    Price
    $15 ($12 members). Children 2 and under free on an adult's lap.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    A new holiday musical from AMFA's Children's Theatre, a funny, heartfelt take on the gingerbread man set in Elizabethan England. It runs 60 minutes and suits all ages.

  3. 3. Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony

    When
    Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Ceremony begins 5:30 PM; official tree lighting at about 6:15 PM.
    Where
    Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau · Downtown & River Market
    Price
    Not posted (no ticket info on the official page)
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    The State Capitol's annual holiday lighting, a Little Rock tradition since the late 1930s, now in its 88th year. It follows the Holiday Parade.

  4. 4. Little Rock Holiday Parade

    When
    Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Photo op at the Statehouse Convention Center 2–5:30 PM. Parade starts 3 PM at Broadway and W. Markham St. and heads east on Markham toward I-30.
    Where
    Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau · Downtown & River Market
    Price
    Free
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    Downtown's holiday parade, with festive floats, music and live performances. This year's theme is Candy Cane Lane. Before the parade, there's a holiday photo spot at the Statehouse Convention Center.

All events in December 2026

Tuesday, Dec 1

GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo

When
Thu, Oct 29 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights, Oct 29, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5–9 PM; last entry 8:30 PM. Closed Nov 8 (private event), Nov 26, Dec 24–25 and Jan 1.
Where
Little Rock Zoo · Midtown
Price
General admission $22.50 per person (ages 3+); Family 4-Pack $72. Members $19.50 / $64. 2 and under free. SNAP/EBT $10 per person at the gate (limit 6). Online fees may apply.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

The zoo's holiday lantern festival: large handcrafted silk lanterns of wildlife and nature, glowing pathways and photo spots, plus seasonal treats. It is one of the zoo's biggest fundraisers.

Gingerbread Man: The Untold Story (AMFA Children's Theatre)

When
Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Dec 13 · Public shows Nov 27–Dec 13, 2026: Friday, Nov 27 at 10:30 AM, then Saturdays 10:30 AM and 2 PM; Sundays 2 PM. Sat Dec 5: 10:30 AM audio-described, 2 PM ASL-interpreted. Sun Dec 6 2 PM: sensory-friendly.
Where
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts · Downtown & River Market
Price
$15 ($12 members). Children 2 and under free on an adult's lap.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

A new holiday musical from AMFA's Children's Theatre, a funny, heartfelt take on the gingerbread man set in Elizabethan England. It runs 60 minutes and suits all ages.

Saturday, Dec 5

Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony

When
Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Ceremony begins 5:30 PM; official tree lighting at about 6:15 PM.
Where
Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau · Downtown & River Market
Price
Not posted (no ticket info on the official page)
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

The State Capitol's annual holiday lighting, a Little Rock tradition since the late 1930s, now in its 88th year. It follows the Holiday Parade.

Little Rock Holiday Parade

When
Sat, Dec 5 · Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Photo op at the Statehouse Convention Center 2–5:30 PM. Parade starts 3 PM at Broadway and W. Markham St. and heads east on Markham toward I-30.
Where
Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau · Downtown & River Market
Price
Free
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

Downtown's holiday parade, with festive floats, music and live performances. This year's theme is Candy Cane Lane. Before the parade, there's a holiday photo spot at the Statehouse Convention Center.

Monday, Dec 21

FAQ

Questions parents ask

What are the best kids events in Little Rock in December 2026?

Our top picks for December 2026: GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo, Gingerbread Man: The Untold Story (AMFA Children's Theatre), Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony, Little Rock Holiday Parade and Fire & Ice Day Camp at the Museum of Discovery.

Which December 2026 events are free?

2 events in December 2026 are free, including Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony and Little Rock Holiday Parade. For free picks right now, see Free this weekend.

What's happening this weekend?

We list 1 family event 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: GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo (through Jan 3, 2027) and Gingerbread Man: The Untold Story (AMFA Children's Theatre) (through Dec 13, 2026). Check each listing for open days and hours.

How do I know event details are accurate?

Zippy Guide is the weekend list for Little Rock parents: an independent, family-friendly guide to things to do in Little Rock — 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.