Things to do on Christmas Day with family include breakfast together, playing with new gifts, calling relatives, and heading out to see lights after dark. Give the day a loose plan, with room to rest between activities. That helps when you’re balancing dinner, visitors, and children who woke up before sunrise.
Near St. Louis, Santa’s Magical Kingdom offers a Christmas-night outing in Eureka, Missouri. Below, you’ll find a morning-to-night plan, guidance on holiday openings, and the details for a drive through the lights.
Quick answer: Keep daytime activities simple and save one outing for the evening. Some entertainment venues and restaurants open on December 25, but holiday schedules vary. Santa’s Magical Kingdom’s posted schedule includes Christmas night from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and nightly operation through January 3.
Already reading this on Christmas Day? Start with the next part of the day. You can still arrange a game after lunch or check the hours for a lights drive tonight.
Plan Christmas Day in Four Easy Windows
Choose one activity for each part of the day that needs a plan. Leave gaps for meals, visits, and time with new gifts.
| Part of the day | A simple plan | What to prepare |
| Morning | Breakfast together, followed by time with gifts | Breakfast ingredients and batteries for new toys |
| Midday | A shared game, a short family call, or a walk | Something you already have at home |
| Late afternoon | A snack and a quiet break | A book, a puzzle, or a familiar movie |
| After dark | A Christmas lights drive | Confirmed hours, directions, and comfortable clothes |
Use these windows around your own meal times. If relatives arrive at noon, move the game to the afternoon. If dinner runs late, keep the evening plan close to home.
Stretch Christmas Morning Past the Wrapping Paper
Breakfast gives everyone a reason to gather after opening presents. Choose something familiar that you can serve without spending the whole morning in the kitchen.
For a smaller family, open gifts one at a time so everyone can see what each person received. With a bigger group, pause between rounds for breakfast or a photo. Then leave time to try the gifts before moving on.
Give Breakfast One Small Surprise
A letter from Santa beside your child’s plate can add another moment to the morning. Personal details, such as a new hobby or something kind they did, give you something to read and talk about together.
If you’re planning ahead, arrange a Christmas Day letter from Santa before the holiday. A parent or guardian provides the details for personalization. Check the available delivery options and ordering information before buying, and allow time for the letter to arrive.
If it’s already December 25 and you don’t have a letter, keep breakfast simple. Ask everyone to show one gift they’re excited to use, or take a family photo beside the tree. The morning doesn’t depend on another purchase.
Set Up One New Gift Before Lunch
Pick a gift that benefits from adult help, such as a building set or a board game. Find the instructions, clear a space, and help your child get started.
Put spare pieces and packaging in a container as you go. If the project takes longer than expected, leave it somewhere you can return to after lunch. There’s no need to finish every new toy in one morning.
Christmas Day Activities for an Easy Afternoon
Use what you already have for the afternoon. A game at the table or time with a new gift fits around cooking and visiting more easily than an activity that needs shopping.
Play a Game Everyone Can Join
Choose a familiar card game, picture-based charades, or a puzzle that people can join between other tasks. For younger children, make teams with an adult or older sibling.
If someone received a new game, try a practice round before keeping score. Keep the rules nearby and stop at a natural break when dinner needs attention.
Make a Short Call to Someone Who Couldn’t Visit
Arrange a call with a relative who couldn’t be there. Let each child show a gift or explain something they’ve been doing, then give the adult time to respond.
Check the timing first, especially if the person lives in another time zone. A short conversation after breakfast may work better than a group call during dinner preparation.
Take a Walk if Conditions Suit Your Family
A short neighborhood walk gives you a change of scene without needing a ticket or reservation. Pick a familiar route and turn back when the youngest walker has had enough.
For a park or trail, check access, weather, and restroom availability before leaving. Outdoor space may remain accessible when visitor buildings close, but don’t assume every gate or facility will be open.
Leave Room for a Late-Afternoon Break
Keep the hour before dinner flexible, especially if the family started early. Offer a snack, put on a familiar movie, or leave a few books beside the couch.
Take turns with cooking and supervision where you can. One adult can spend time with the children while another finishes the meal, then switch after dinner.
If you’re going out later, gather coats and blankets while everyone rests. Pajamas can work for a stay-in-the-car outing, with warm layers available for any stops. Keep the return time realistic for your family.
What’s Open on Christmas Day?
Some movie theaters, restaurants, and holiday light displays open on Christmas Day. Others close or use shorter hours, so confirm December 25 specifically before leaving home.
This guide is a starting point for U.S. families, not a list of confirmed local openings.
| Holiday pattern | Places to consider | What to check |
| May be open | Movie theaters, hotel restaurants, and other restaurants offering holiday service | December 25 showtimes, reservations, and kitchen hours |
| May remain accessible | Neighborhood walking routes, public parks, and trails | Gates, parking, weather, and restroom closures |
| Follow their own holiday schedule | Drive-through light shows, ice rinks, and seasonal events | Whether Christmas Day is included, plus last admission |
| Often close or reduce service | Retail stores, grocery stores, libraries, and indoor attractions | The exact location’s holiday notice |
| Close for the postal holiday | USPS retail counters and regular mail delivery | Any special-service exceptions |
Don’t rely on an ordinary weekly listing. A business can have normal hours on its map profile and a separate Christmas notice on its website.
Before heading out, check these three details:
- The date: Does the schedule explicitly include December 25?
- The final entry time: Can you arrive early enough to enjoy the activity?
- The visit requirements: Do you need a reservation, advance ticket, or a particular payment method?
For outdoor plans, also check whether you can use the parking area and facilities. Keep an at-home activity ready if your first choice doesn’t work out.
Things to Do on Christmas Day After Dark
A lights drive gives you an evening outing without planning another meal or a long visit. Choose a route that fits between dinner and bedtime, and decide where you’ll finish before you set off.
For a neighborhood drive, let passengers look for a few decorations, such as a reindeer, a star, or a house covered in blue lights. Keep the game short so everyone can also watch the displays. The driver should concentrate on the road.
If you’d rather visit a drive-through show, check its Christmas schedule and admission details first. Choose comfortable clothes, bring blankets if needed, and leave time to get home.
Spend Christmas Night at Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Santa’s Magical Kingdom gives St. Louis-area families a place to see lights on Christmas night from their own vehicle. You drive through the displays together, so the outing can fit a family that’s already settled into comfortable clothes after dinner.
| Visit detail | Information |
| Christmas night | 5:30 to 10 p.m. |
| December 25 through January 3 | 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly |
| Location | Jellystone Park St. Louis Eureka, off I-44 at Exit 261 |
| Admission | Charged by vehicle; check the current rate for your vehicle |
| Payment | Cash at the ticket booth as you exit |
Check the current hours, admission, and directions before traveling. Arrive with time to complete the drive before closing, and allow for the journey home.
You can also see the displays in the Kingdom before your visit. Keep any plans for extra activities separate from the lights drive and check their schedules individually.
Plan Your Christmas Night at Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Christmas Day Traditions That Fit Your Family
Choose a tradition you can repeat without a long shopping list. Tie it to a moment you already share, such as breakfast or the trip home from seeing lights.
Save a letter from Santa in a dated folder, or take a photo in the same spot each year. During dinner, invite each person to mention something they enjoyed that day. These ideas give you a record of the holiday without adding much preparation.
For a Christmas-night drive, let everyone choose a song for the playlist before leaving. At home, ask each person which display they liked most.
Start with one tradition that fits the time and energy you usually have. Repeat it next year if your family enjoys it.
Things to Do Over Christmas Break
Put a few activities on the calendar for the days after December 25. Leave room between outings to use new gifts and spend time at home.
- Write thank-you notes. Set out paper after breakfast and help children name the gift they’re thanking someone for. A drawing works for children who aren’t writing yet.
- Choose a project from the new gifts. Set aside an afternoon for a model, a puzzle, or a craft kit. Keep unfinished work somewhere you can return to it.
- Visit the lights on another evening. Santa’s Magical Kingdom’s season continues through January 3. Check the schedule before choosing your night.
- Arrange time with someone you missed on Christmas Day. A meal at home or a short visit can be easier to organize after the holiday itself.
Christmas Day Questions Parents Ask
Is anything open on Christmas Day?
Some entertainment venues and restaurants open on December 25, while other businesses close or shorten their hours. Check the exact location’s holiday schedule, including reservations and last entry, before you travel.
What can families do after opening presents?
Have breakfast together, help set up one new gift, or play a familiar game. A short call to a relative gives you another activity without leaving home.
How can you keep Christmas afternoon simple?
Choose an activity that uses what you already have, such as a puzzle or a new toy. Leave a quiet break before dinner and avoid filling every hour.
What can families do on Christmas night?
Take a short lights drive, play a game after dinner, or watch a movie together. Choose something that fits your family’s bedtime and check holiday hours if you’re going out.
Are Christmas light displays open all night?
Homeowners and event operators set their own schedules, so don’t assume lights stay on until morning. For a paid show, check both closing time and any final-entry cutoff.
Does mail come on Christmas Day?
USPS closes post offices and pauses regular mail delivery on Christmas Day. Its holiday calendar lists December 25, and its Christmas service notice explains that certain Priority Mail Express deliveries are an exception.
Keep Tonight in the Plan
Choose one easy activity for now and decide whether an outing after dark suits your family. If you’re planning ahead, arrange any mailed letter early and check your evening destination’s holiday schedule. If it’s already Christmas Day, work from the time you have left.
For families near St. Louis, plan your Christmas night at Santa’s Magical Kingdom with the posted hours, vehicle admission details, and directions in one place.
