The Laredo area has 3 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Pet Photos with Santa in Laredo on November 16 to Winter Fest @ LPL Main in Laredo, which runs through December 30. 2 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Texas, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 3 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Laredo for 2026, in Laredo
- First: Pet Photos with Santa, Laredo, November 16. Runs latest: Winter Fest @ LPL Main, Laredo, through December 30
- Free: Grinchmas Party @ LPL Main and Winter Fest @ LPL Main
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Laredo
3 confirmed events for kids in Laredo, soonest first.
Santa visit
Pet Photos with Santa
- When: Mon November 16, Mon November 23, Mon November 30, Mon December 7 and Mon December 14, 2026
- Where: Santa's Workshop at Mall del Norte, Laredo
- Cost: Price not stated
Details, tips and host
On Mondays, Mall del Norte reserves time at Santa's Workshop for pets to be photographed with Santa. The mall says these pet-friendly sessions happen each Monday from November 16 to December 14, so owners can include a dog, cat or other furry family member in a holiday keepsake picture.
The mall suggests booking a slot ahead of time, which lets families pick a handy time and cut down on waiting. Laredo Pet Vet sponsors the pet photos. That Santa's Workshop page additionally promotes everyday Santa photo visits and strongly recommends advance reservations, since seeing Santa ranks among the most sought-after seasonal activities in Laredo. The pages we read did not list photo prices.
Parent tip: Book online ahead of time. Pet sessions are only on Mondays.
- Host
- Mall del Norte (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Santa's Workshop at Mall del Norte, 5300 San Dario Avenue, Laredo, TX 78041
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday craftsFree
Grinchmas Party @ LPL Main
- When: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
- Where: Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library, Laredo
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library hosts a Grinchmas celebration on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The library describes it as an evening of festive fun for the whole family, and all ages are welcome.
The party includes treats, free books and a variety of activities. The library calendar lists the event as free, and it takes place at the main library on East Calton Road. The listing does not mention registration, so families can plan to simply drop in. It is a short, one hour event held after the usual school day, which makes it an easy weeknight outing for parents who work during the day and want to get children into the holiday spirit with a library visit.
Parent tip: The event is one hour long and starts at 5:30 pm, so plan to arrive a few minutes early.
- Host
- Laredo Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Rd, Laredo, TX 78041
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday eventFree
Winter Fest @ LPL Main
- When: Mon December 21, Tue December 22, Wed December 23, Mon December 28, Tue December 29 and Wed December 30, 2026, 10:30 to 11:30 am
- Where: Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library, Laredo
- Cost: Free
Details, tips and host
The Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library lists a Winter Fest series at its main branch on East Calton Road. Sessions run from 10:30 to 11:30 am on December 21, 22 and 23, and again on December 28, 29 and 30, 2026, which falls during the usual school winter break.
The library calendar shows the series as free and tags it as family friendly. The listing does not describe the specific activities, so parents may want to call the library or check the calendar closer to the date for details. Because there are six separate mornings, it is a flexible option for families who are in town over the holidays and looking for a no cost indoor activity for children.
Parent tip: The calendar page gives no activity details or age range, so call the library at 956-795-2400 to confirm what each session includes.
- Host
- Laredo Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Rd, Laredo, TX 78041
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Laredo? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Texas Christmas train rides page.
Laredo Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 3 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Laredo
- Season
- November 16 to December 30, 2026
- Free events
- 2
- Kinds of events
- Santa visit, holiday crafts and holiday event
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Laredo Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Pet Photos with Santa in Laredo on November 16; the last runs to December 30. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Pet Photos with SantaLaredo · Nov 16 to Dec 14
- Grinchmas Party @ LPL MainLaredo · Dec 9
- Winter Fest @ LPL MainLaredo · Dec 21 to Dec 30
Looking further afield? Our Texas Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, TX, Plano, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Amarillo, McAllen, Waco, Midland, Abilene, Beaumont, College Station, Tyler, Longview, New Braunfels, Denton, Galveston, San Marcos, Brownsville, Killeen, Odessa, Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Bryan, Temple, Victoria, Harlingen and Port Arthur. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Laredo
In Laredo, Christmas stretches across nine nights of posadas, when neighbors sing at doors and ask for shelter, just like Mary and Joseph. Tamales, champurrado and neighborhood tree lightings fill the weeks around them.
How Laredo celebrates
Christmas in Laredo grows out of Mexican and South Texas traditions. Las Posadas re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging over nine nights before Christmas, with families walking from house to house, singing for shelter and being turned away until the last door welcomes everyone. Texas A&M International University's Ballet Folklorico has performed it since 1997. Families also gather for tamaladas, where everyone makes tamales together, and drink champurrado. In South Texas, posadas bring together Catholics and non-Catholics alike, with neighbors sharing song, food and drinks.
Christmas last year in Laredo
In 2025 the city's season was built around free neighborhood celebrations hosted by city council members. District 6 held its 11th annual Light the Way for Christmas at North Central Park, with a tree lighting at 6:45 p.m., school choirs, dancers and bands, train rides, and Santa arriving aboard the Christmas Trolley. Free hot chocolate and cookies were handed out while supplies lasted. Local news counted 14 holiday events between December 6 and December 24, including ornament painting, toy drives and letters to Santa, and the 5th annual Run Santa Run 5K and 10K on Christmas Eve morning.
Fun facts about Christmas in Laredo
Laredo's city tree lightings are spread across council districts, so each part of town gets its own party, with names like Jingle All the Way and Winter Wonderland. In 2023 the citywide Navidad Fest at Sames Auto Arena had Santa's workshop, craft stations and ice skating. In 2024 kids at Navidadfest could ride a snow slide. The nine nights of posadas usually start on December 16 and end on December 24, with midnight mass and a big meal.
Traditions today
- Las Posadas: Nine nights of singing at doors and asking for shelter, retelling Mary and Joseph's journey, followed by food and songs.
- Tamaladas: Family and friends gather to make tamales together, a Latino holiday tradition that is also part of Laredo's season.
- Champurrado and holiday treats: Mexican hot chocolate and special holiday menus show up in local coffee shops, alongside cookies like hojarascas.
- Neighborhood tree lightings: City council districts hold free evenings with a tree lighting, school choirs, train rides and Santa.
- Navidad Fest: The City of Laredo's official start to the holiday season, with a tree-lighting countdown, Santa and games for kids.
- Midnight mass on Christmas Eve: Many families end the posadas with midnight mass and a big meal together.
A fact for kids
In Laredo, some neighborhoods make Christmas feel like a game: kids sing outside a door asking for a place to stay, and the people inside sing back "no" until the very last night, when everyone gets to come in.
Questions about Christmas in Laredo
What are Las Posadas in Laredo?
Las Posadas is a nine night tradition that re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Families carry figures of the pilgrims from house to house, singing to ask for shelter and being sung back a refusal, until the final house welcomes everyone. It is popular across South Texas and in Laredo.
When do Las Posadas start and end?
Posadas traditionally begin on December 16 at dusk and run for nine nights, ending on December 24. Each night is held at a different home, and the last night usually includes midnight mass followed by a large meal. Some groups, like a university folklorico program, hold a single staged performance instead.
How long has Laredo's TAMIU posada been performed?
Texas A&M International University's Ballet Folklorico has performed Las Posadas since 1997, according to a 2004 university announcement. The free evening included a procession of the pilgrims, then performances by local folklorico groups from Laredo schools, and ended with dances from six Mexican states.
What song do people sing at the end of a posada?
At the TAMIU posada, the closing song is "Entren Santos Peregrinos," which means "Enter, holy pilgrims." It is sung when the final house opens its door and welcomes the travelers inside. Before that, the groups outside and inside sing back and forth, asking for shelter and refusing it.
What is a tamalada?
A tamalada is a gathering where family and friends make tamales together, and it is a holiday custom for many Latino families in Texas. Laredo's visitor site lists tamaladas among its Christmas traditions, alongside champurrado and special holiday menus at local coffee shops.
What drink do Laredo families have at Christmas?
Champurrado, a warm Mexican hot chocolate, is a favorite holiday drink in Laredo. Local coffee shops serve it during the season with special holiday menus. Families also bake cookies such as hojarascas, which one Laredo native remembers an aunt making every year.
How can I explain posadas to my young child?
Tell your child that posadas are a Christmas game that tells a story: Mary and Joseph are looking for a place to stay, and people sing at each door asking for shelter. Everyone is told no until the last house says yes. Then they celebrate together with food, songs and a party.
Why do posadas end with a party?
Posadas end with a party because the story ends happily: after being turned away, Mary and Joseph are finally welcomed in. Families mark that moment with food, drinks and festivities, and many follow the last night with midnight mass and a large meal.
Where did posadas come from?
Posadas were brought to Latin America by the Spanish and adopted in Mexico and Guatemala, where they re-enact Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Today they are popular in South Texas with both Catholics and non-Catholics, bringing neighbors together through song, food and drinks.
What is the Light the Way for Christmas celebration?
Light the Way for Christmas is a free tree lighting hosted by the City of Laredo and the District 6 council member at North Central Park. The 11th annual one was held in 2025, with a 6:45 p.m. tree lighting, school performances, train rides, Santa and free hot chocolate and cookies.
What happened at Laredo's Navidad Fest?
Navidad Fest is the City of Laredo's official start to the holiday season. In 2023 it was held at Sames Auto Arena with Santa's workshop, craft stations and ice skating. In 2024 it featured school performances, a tree-lighting countdown, a snow slide, train rides and photos with Santa.
Does Laredo have more than one tree lighting?
Yes. Laredo spreads its tree lightings across city council districts, so neighborhoods like North Central Park, Independence Hills Park and Jovita Idar Park each hold a free evening with choirs, train rides and cookies. The City also holds one official citywide celebration, Navidad Fest. See our Laredo Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
What happened in Laredo at Christmas last year?
In 2025, Laredo had about 14 listed holiday events between December 6 and December 24. They included neighborhood tree lightings, Santa photos at the mall, ornament painting, toy drives, a farmers market, and the 5th annual Run Santa Run 5K and 10K on Christmas Eve morning.
Is there a Christmas run in Laredo?
Yes. Run Santa Run 5K and 10K is held on Christmas Eve morning, starting at Jarvis Plaza. The 2025 race was the 5th annual, and runners received a finisher's medal, a Santa hat and a custom T-shirt. See our Laredo Christmas events guide on this page for this year's details.
Can kids meet Santa in Laredo?
Yes. Kids can meet Santa at many neighborhood tree lightings, at Mall del Norte photo sessions, and at community parties. In 2025, Santa arrived aboard the Christmas Trolley at the District 6 celebration. Families can find this season's dates and places in our Laredo Christmas events guide on this page.
Do Laredo kids get snow at Christmas?
Real snow is rare in Laredo, so the city brings winter to the kids. At Navidadfest in 2024, families enjoyed a snow slide and ice skating, and in 2023 the event had ice skating too. Check our Laredo Christmas events guide on this page for this season's winter-themed activities.
Is midnight mass part of Christmas in Laredo?
Yes, midnight mass is a traditional part of the posada season. The nine nights of posadas usually run from December 16 to December 24, and the last night often includes midnight mass followed by a large meal. Customs vary from family to family, so ask your relatives how they celebrate.
Do Laredo families open gifts on Christmas Eve?
Many families in the posada tradition end the season with midnight mass and a large meal. One South Texas native recalls his family gathering at his grandmother's home to open gifts. Customs vary from family to family and change over time, so ask your relatives how they do it.
What can I tell kids about Laredo's neighbors celebrating together?
Tell them that in Laredo, Christmas is a community event. Posadas bring neighbors together through song, food and drinks, and city tree lightings give each part of town a free party with choirs and train rides. Everyone is invited in, just like the pilgrims at the final door of the posada.
Where can kids ride a Christmas train in Laredo?
Train rides are a favorite at Laredo's neighborhood tree lightings, including North Central Park, Jovita Idar Park and Fasken Community Center. These are small kids' rides, not museum trains. Our Laredo Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's dates and places for train rides and Santa visits.
Sources
- 2025 Christmas Guide, KGNS
- City of Laredo District 6 hosts 11th Annual Light the Way for Christmas Celebration, Laredo's News
- City of Laredo welcomes holiday season with Navidadfest, KGNS
- Why celebrate the holidays in Laredo, TX, Visit Laredo
- City of Laredo sets schedule for upcoming Christmas events, KGNS
- Free celebration of Las Posadas, Texas A&M International University
- Fronteras: No tamaladas, no problem, Texas Public Radio
- The tradition of Las Posadas and how it originated, KSAT
- Laredo kicks off holiday events with tree lightings, KGNS
Laredo Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Laredo this year?
We confirmed 3 for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: Grinchmas Party @ LPL Main (Dec 9), Pet Photos with Santa (Nov 16 to Dec 14) and Winter Fest @ LPL Main (Dec 21 to Dec 30). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Laredo?
Yes, 2 of the 3. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Where can kids meet Santa in Laredo?
Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Is anything on for kids in Laredo on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes. Winter Fest @ LPL Main runs through Dec 30.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 1 of the 3 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Laredo?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Laredo Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.