The Midland area has 9 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet in Midland on November 16 to Jingle Jump Night in Midland, on December 29. 1 of them is 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
- 9 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Midland for 2026, in Midland
- First: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Midland, November 16. Runs latest: Jingle Jump Night, Midland, through December 29
- Free: Midland College Holiday Evening
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, 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.
Midland Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 9 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Midland
- Season
- November 16 to December 29, 2026
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- holiday lights, holiday show, supper with Santa and tree lighting
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Midland Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet in Midland on November 16; the last runs to December 29. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Nutcracker! Magical Christmas BalletMidland · Nov 16
- A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on StageMidland · Nov 17
- Tree Lighting CeremonyMidland · Dec 1
- Midland College Holiday EveningMidland · Dec 3
- Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with SantaMidland · Dec 4 to Dec 18
- Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue SantaMidland · Dec 12
- Midland Merry Lighted Christmas ParadeMidland · Dec 12
- Rockin' RA Carriage RidesMidland · Dec 13 to Dec 24
- Jingle Jump NightMidland · Dec 29
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Midland? 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
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Midland
9 confirmed events for kids in Midland, soonest first.
Midland: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Holiday showWagner Noel Performing Arts Center · Midland
- Host
- Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, 1310 N. FM 1788, Midland, TX 79707
- When
- Monday, November 16, 2026, 7 pm
- Cost
- $49.34 to $105.09 including fees
- Ages
- Every ticket needed, including lap children
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet visits Midland's Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center on Monday, November 16, 2026, with the show at 7 pm and doors opening at 6 pm. The venue bills it as the biggest Nutcracker staging on the continent, with top international dancers, acrobatics that seem to defy gravity, grand costumes and towering puppets, all set to Tchaikovsky's music.
Reserved seats cost $49.34 up to $105.09, fees included, and VIP packages cost $154.15 or $215.47. The venue says every person who enters, even lap children, infants and babies, needs a ticket. It is an early holiday option, coming a few weeks ahead of most December events.
Parent tip: Everyone needs a ticket, babies and lap children included.
See dates and details from Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)Midland: A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
Holiday showWagner Noel Performing Arts Center · Midland
- Host
- Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, 1310 N. FM 1788, Midland, TX 79707
- When
- Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7:30 pm
- Cost
- $45 to $78 including fees
- Ages
- A present the whole family can enjoy
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the whole Peanuts gang to the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The show starts at 7:30 pm and doors open at 6:30 pm. Presented by 97 Gold, it is adapted from Charles M. Schulz's story about the true meaning of the season.
The production features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, and the venue calls it a present the whole family can enjoy. Tickets cost between $45 and $78, with all in pricing that includes convenience fees. The performance falls on a school night, so the 6:30 pm doors give families time to settle in. Tickets are sold through the venue's ticket link.
Parent tip: Buy tickets online through the venue. Pricing already includes fees.
See dates and details from Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)Midland: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tree lightingCity of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights · Midland
- Host
- City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centennial Park, Centennial Park, downtown Midland, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 5 to 8:30 pm
- Cost
- Price not stated
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The City of Midland and the Midland Downtown Park Conservancy host the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Park on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, to mark the official start of the holiday season. According to the city's events page, doors open at 5 pm, festivities begin at 5:30 pm and the tree lighting will take place no earlier than 6:15 pm. The event wraps up at 8:30 pm.
The same evening, The Market at Midland's Merry Lights runs from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Centennial Park with local vendors, food trucks, warm drinks and handcrafted gifts. The tree lighting launches Midland's Merry Lights, a downtown holiday tradition that continues through December with Santa photos, a parade and carriage rides. The pages do not list an admission price.
Parent tip: The tree lights up no earlier than 6:15 pm, so younger children may want to arrive after dinner.
See dates and details from City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)Midland: Midland College Holiday Evening
Supper with SantaFreeMidland College · Midland
- Host
- Midland College (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Allison Fine Arts Building, Midland College, 3600 N Garfield, Midland, TX 79705
- When
- Thursday, December 3, 2026, 4 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Midland College opens its doors for the yearly Holiday Evening, Thursday, December 3, 2026, 4 to 8 pm, in the Allison Fine Arts Building. This family celebration has gathered the community for over three decades, and every activity is free for the public.
Santa photos are available 4 to 6:30 pm, scenic hayrides loop around campus between 4:30 and 7 pm, and free hot cocoa and cookies last all evening, 4 to 8 pm. Student artwork is displayed 6 to 8 pm, and student creations are for sale. At 7 pm the Chap Singers and Jazz Ensemble will give a seasonal concert. The Former Students Association sells $7 Frito pie meals between 5 and 7 pm to fund scholarships.
Parent tip: Photo time with Santa closes at 6:30 pm and rides end at 7 pm, so get there early to do both.
See dates and details from Midland College (opens in a new tab)Midland: Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa
Holiday lightsCity of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights · Midland
- Host
- City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centennial Park, Centennial Park, downtown Midland, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Fri December 4, Fri December 11 and Fri December 18, 2026, 6 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Price not stated
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Midland's Merry Lights invites families to Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa at Centennial Park on three Friday evenings: December 4, 11 and 18, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm. The city describes a festive evening of warm hot chocolate, twinkling Christmas lights and holiday cheer, with a stop for a special photo with Santa.
Because the event repeats on three Fridays, families can choose the date that fits their schedule. The festival is a City of Midland event in downtown Midland, and the same park hosts other holiday programs such as the tree lighting, the Blue Santa cookie and cocoa event and the Jingle Jump bounce house night. The event page does not list a price or say whether photos are free.
Parent tip: Bundle up, since the event is outdoors in the evening. The page does not say whether photos cost extra.
See dates and details from City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)Midland: Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa
Supper with SantaMidland Police Department and City of Midland · Midland
- Host
- Midland Police Department and City of Midland (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centennial Park, Centennial Park, downtown Midland, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 to 6 pm
- Cost
- Price not stated
- Ages
- Whole family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Midland Police Department invites you to Centennial Park for Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa, Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 to 6 pm. According to the city, the entire family can sip hot cocoa, nibble cookies and meet Blue Santa, and can pose for a seasonal picture under the glow of Midland's Merry Lights.
This gathering belongs to the department's Blue Santa program, which brings holiday cheer to local children and families facing hard times. The Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade starts later that night at 6:30 pm, so lots of families plan to see both. No admission price is listed on the event page.
Parent tip: The parade steps off at 6:30 pm along A Street, right after this event wraps up.
See dates and details from Midland Police Department and City of Midland (opens in a new tab)Midland: Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade
Holiday paradeCity of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights · Midland
- Host
- City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- A Street, Windlands Park to Midland High School, A Street, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6:30 pm
- Cost
- Free to watch (price not stated)
- Ages
- Whole family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade takes place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:30 pm. The route follows A Street from Windlands Park to Midland High School. The City of Midland describes festive floats, music, community performances and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
The parade is part of Midland's Merry Lights, the city's downtown holiday celebration, and the festival site calls it a joyful event for the whole family. Earlier that same day, from 4 to 6 pm, Blue Santa hosts cookies, coffee and cocoa at Centennial Park, so families can combine the two. The pages do not give a spectator fee, and parade watching along a city street is normally free.
Parent tip: The parade starts after dark in December, so bring warm layers and a folding chair.
See dates and details from City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)Midland: Rockin' RA Carriage Rides
Holiday lightsCity of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights · Midland
- Host
- City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centennial Park, Centennial Park, downtown Midland, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Sun December 13, Sat December 19, Sun December 20, Mon December 21, Tue December 22, Wed December 23 and Thu December 24, 2026, 6 pm
- Cost
- Pricing available on arrival
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Rockin' RA Carriage Rides offer a charming way to see Midland's Merry Lights. Rides are listed for December 13 and then each evening from December 19 through December 24, 2026, starting at 6 pm. The city invites families to bundle up and enjoy the twinkling lights and holiday cheer of downtown Midland.
Carriage ride pricing will be available upon arrival, so there is no fee shown ahead of time. The rides begin around Centennial Park, the hub of the Merry Lights festival, where other free holiday events take place on different dates. The listing does not specify an age range, and no reservations are mentioned. Because the rides continue through Christmas Eve, this is one of the few downtown holiday activities available right before the holiday.
Parent tip: Prices are posted on arrival. Dress warmly for an evening ride.
See dates and details from City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)Midland: Jingle Jump Night
Holiday lightsCity of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights · Midland
- Host
- City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Centennial Park, Centennial Park, downtown Midland, Midland, TX 79701
- When
- Tuesday, December 29, 2026, 6 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Price not stated
- Ages
- Kids
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Jingle Jump Night transforms the streets around Centennial Park into a cheerful play area full of inflatable bounce houses. It is held Tuesday, December 29, 2026, 6 to 8 pm, and belongs to Midland's Merry Lights.
The city tells parents to bring the children in warm clothes and let them leap, bounce and play all evening beneath sparkling lights and Christmas magic. Since it comes after Christmas Day, it gives families something to do during the winter break week when kids are off school. The event page lists neither a price nor an age range.
Parent tip: Dress in warm layers, because the bounce houses are outdoors at night.
See dates and details from City of Midland, Midland's Merry Lights (opens in a new tab)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 and Waco. 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 train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonMidland Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Midland in 2026?
We confirmed 9 Christmas events for kids in Midland for 2026 on each host’s own page: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet in Midland (November 16), A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage in Midland (November 17), Tree Lighting Ceremony in Midland (December 1), Midland College Holiday Evening in Midland (December 3), Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa in Midland (December 4), Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa in Midland (December 12), Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade in Midland (December 12), Rockin' RA Carriage Rides in Midland (December 13) and Jingle Jump Night in Midland (December 29). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Midland, Texas?
For families in and around Midland, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (Mon, Nov 16, 7 pm (doors 6 pm), $49.34 to $105.09 including fees); A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage (Tue, Nov 17, 7:30 pm (doors 6:30 pm), $45 to $78 including fees); Tree Lighting Ceremony (Tue, Dec 1, 5 to 8:30 pm, price not stated); Midland College Holiday Evening (Thu, Dec 3, 4 to 8 pm, free); Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa (Fridays, Dec 4, 11 and 18, 6 to 8 pm, price not stated); Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa (Sat, Dec 12, 4 to 6 pm, price not stated); Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade (Sat, Dec 12, 6:30 pm, free to watch (price not stated)); Rockin' RA Carriage Rides (Dec 13 and Dec 19 to 24, from 6 pm, pricing available on arrival); Jingle Jump Night (Tue, Dec 29, 6 to 8 pm, price not stated). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Midland section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Midland?
Yes. 1 of the 9 events here are free: Midland College Holiday Evening in Midland. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Midland this December?
Santa appears at Midland College Holiday Evening in Midland (December 3), Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa in Midland (December 4), Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa in Midland (December 12) and Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade in Midland (December 12). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where can we have breakfast or a meal with Santa in Midland?
Meals with Santa confirmed for 2026: Midland College Holiday Evening in Midland (Thu, Dec 3, 4 to 8 pm) and Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa in Midland (Sat, Dec 12, 4 to 6 pm). These usually sell out, so book as soon as you pick a date.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Midland on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Rockin' RA Carriage Rides in Midland (through December 24) and Jingle Jump Night in Midland (through December 29).
How much is Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet in Midland?
$49.34 to $105.09 including fees. Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet is on Monday, November 16, 2026, 7 pm at Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage in Midland?
$45 to $78 including fees. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage is on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7:30 pm at Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Tree Lighting Ceremony in Midland?
Price not stated. Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 5 to 8:30 pm at Centennial Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Midland College Holiday Evening in Midland?
Free. Midland College Holiday Evening is on Thursday, December 3, 2026, 4 to 8 pm at Allison Fine Arts Building, Midland College. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa in Midland?
Price not stated. Hot Chocolate Night & Pictures with Santa is on Fri December 4, Fri December 11 and Fri December 18, 2026, 6 to 8 pm at Centennial Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa in Midland?
Price not stated. Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa with Blue Santa is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 to 6 pm at Centennial Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade in Midland?
Free to watch (price not stated). Midland Merry Lighted Christmas Parade is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6:30 pm at A Street, Windlands Park to Midland High School. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Rockin' RA Carriage Rides in Midland?
Pricing available on arrival. Rockin' RA Carriage Rides is on Sun December 13, Sat December 19, Sun December 20, Mon December 21, Tue December 22, Wed December 23 and Thu December 24, 2026, 6 pm at Centennial Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Jingle Jump Night in Midland?
Price not stated. Jingle Jump Night is on Tuesday, December 29, 2026, 6 to 8 pm at Centennial Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Midland?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Midland 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 2, 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.
