North Dakota has 4 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Nutcracker Story Time in Bismarck on November 30 to Skate with Santa in West Fargo, on December 15. 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 every state.
The short version
- 4 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in North Dakota for 2026, in Bismarck and Fargo
- First: Nutcracker Story Time, Bismarck, November 30. Runs latest: Skate with Santa, West Fargo, through December 15
- Free: Skate with Santa
- 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 North Dakota Christmas train rides page.
North Dakota Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 4 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Bismarck and Fargo
- Season
- November 30 to December 15, 2026
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- holiday story time, holiday crafts, story time with Mrs. Claus and Santa visit
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each North Dakota Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Nutcracker Story Time in Bismarck on November 30; the last runs to December 15. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Nutcracker Story TimeBismarck · Nov 30 to Dec 2
- Christmas on the PrairieWest Fargo · Dec 5
- Story Time with Mrs. ClausBismarck · Dec 7 to Dec 10
- Skate with SantaWest Fargo · Dec 15
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in North Dakota? 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 Bismarck
2 confirmed events for kids in Bismarck, soonest first.
Bismarck: Nutcracker Story Time
Holiday story timeBismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library · Bismarck
- Host
- Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, Children's Library Story Room, 515 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501
- When
- Mon November 30 (6:30 to 7 pm), Tue December 1 (10 to 10:30 am) and Wed December 2 (10 to 10:30 am), 2026
- Cost
- No fee listed (library program)
- Ages
- Children
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library opens the holiday season with a story time built around The Nutcracker ballet. Northern Plains Dance joins Miss Tiffany and Colette in the Children's Library to bring the story to life through storytelling and dance, following Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on their journey through a world of sweets and holiday cheer.
There are three sessions to choose from: an evening session on Monday, November 30 from 6:30 to 7 pm, and morning sessions on Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2 from 10 to 10:30 am. Each session is about half an hour, which suits younger children who are not ready for a full ballet. The program is listed for children and takes place in the Story Room.
Parent tip: Sessions are short, about 30 minutes, so arrive a few minutes early to find a spot in the Story Room.
See dates and details from Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library (opens in a new tab)Bismarck: Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Story time with Mrs. ClausBismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library · Bismarck
- Host
- Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, Children's Library Story Room, 515 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501
- When
- Mon December 7 (6 to 7 pm), Tue December 8 (9:30 to 10:30 am), Wed December 9 (9:30 to 10:30 am) and Thu December 10 (9:30 to 10:30 am), 2026
- Cost
- No fee listed (library program)
- Ages
- Children
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Mrs. Claus comes to the Children's Library Story Room at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library for four story times in December. Children and families can ask her their questions about life at the North Pole, Santa and holiday traditions, and she shares stories along the way. The library describes her storytelling and personal interactions as a favorite with kids and adults alike.
There is one evening session on Monday, December 7 from 6 to 7 pm, which works well for working parents, and three morning sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 to 10. The program is listed for children, and the library's children's staff can answer questions at 701-355-1489. The library is at 515 N 5th Street in downtown Bismarck.
Parent tip: Pick the Monday evening session if weekday mornings are hard. Kids may want to bring a question for Mrs. Claus.
See dates and details from Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Fargo
2 confirmed events for kids in Fargo, including nearby West Fargo, soonest first.
West Fargo: Christmas on the Prairie
Holiday craftsBonanzaville · West Fargo
- Host
- Bonanzaville (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bonanzaville Pioneer Village, 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo, ND 58078 (near Fargo)
- When
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10 am to 5 pm
- Cost
- Adults $6, children 6 to 18 $3, families $15, kids under 5 free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Bonanzaville's pioneer village in West Fargo is transformed into a simpler time for one Saturday in December. Carolers sing the sounds of the season, Christmas cards are printed in the village Print Shop, and horse-drawn wagons carry passengers through the village streets. Children can make homemade presents while cookies bake in a wood-burning oven.
A soup and sandwich meal is served from 11 am to 2 pm. Event admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 18, $15 for families, and free for kids under 5. The event runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, December 5, so families can come for the morning, stay for lunch, or drop in for the afternoon. Questions can go to Bonanzaville at 701-282-2822.
Parent tip: The family price of $15 is usually the best deal for a household. Dress warmly, since parts of the day are spent outside in the village.
See dates and details from Bonanzaville (opens in a new tab)West Fargo: Skate with Santa
Santa visitFreeWest Fargo Parks · West Fargo
- Host
- West Fargo Parks (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights, 3150 Sheyenne St, West Fargo, ND 58078 (near Fargo)
- When
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 4 to 6 pm
- Cost
- Free; skates available to rent
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa makes a stop at the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights in West Fargo for an evening of skating. Families are invited to bring their skates, say hello to Santa and skate to favorite Christmas songs. Free cookies and hot chocolate are served while supplies last.
The event is free and runs from 4 to 6 pm on Tuesday, December 15. Families without their own skates can rent a pair at the plaza. The early evening timing works well for school-age kids, and the whole family is welcome, whether everyone skates or some just come to visit Santa and enjoy a cup of cocoa. Questions can go to West Fargo Parks at 701-433-5360, and the plaza is at 3150 Sheyenne Street.
Parent tip: Bring your own skates if you have them, or plan for rentals. Cookies and cocoa are first come, first served.
See dates and details from West Fargo Parks (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in South Dakota, Christmas events for kids in Minnesota and Christmas events for kids in Nebraska list more confirmed events, and 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 AmazonNorth Dakota Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in North Dakota in 2026?
We confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in North Dakota for 2026 on each host’s own page: Nutcracker Story Time in Bismarck (November 30), Christmas on the Prairie in West Fargo (December 5), Story Time with Mrs. Claus in Bismarck (December 7) and Skate with Santa in West Fargo (December 15). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Bismarck, North Dakota?
For families in and around Bismarck, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Nutcracker Story Time (Mon, Nov 30, 6:30 to 7 pm; Tue, Dec 1 and Wed, Dec 2, 10 to 10:30 am, no fee listed (library program)); Story Time with Mrs. Claus (Mon, Dec 7, 6 to 7 pm; Tue to Thu, Dec 8 to 10, 9:30 to 10:30 am, no fee listed (library program)). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Bismarck section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Fargo, North Dakota?
For families in and around Fargo, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Christmas on the Prairie (in West Fargo, Sat, Dec 5, 10 am to 5 pm, adults $6, children 6 to 18 $3, families $15, kids under 5 free); Skate with Santa (in West Fargo, Tue, Dec 15, 4 to 6 pm, free; skates available to rent). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Fargo section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in North Dakota?
Yes. 1 of the 4 events here are free: Skate with Santa in West Fargo. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in North Dakota this December?
Santa appears at Skate with Santa in West Fargo (December 15). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in North Dakota?
Holiday story times on this page: Nutcracker Story Time in Bismarck and Story Time with Mrs. Claus in Bismarck. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
How much is Nutcracker Story Time in Bismarck?
No fee listed (library program). Nutcracker Story Time is on Mon November 30 (6:30 to 7 pm), Tue December 1 (10 to 10:30 am) and Wed December 2 (10 to 10:30 am), 2026 at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, Children's Library Story Room. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Christmas on the Prairie in West Fargo?
Adults $6, children 6 to 18 $3, families $15, kids under 5 free. Christmas on the Prairie is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10 am to 5 pm at Bonanzaville Pioneer Village. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Story Time with Mrs. Claus in Bismarck?
No fee listed (library program). Story Time with Mrs. Claus is on Mon December 7 (6 to 7 pm), Tue December 8 (9:30 to 10:30 am), Wed December 9 (9:30 to 10:30 am) and Thu December 10 (9:30 to 10:30 am), 2026 at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, Children's Library Story Room. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Skate with Santa in West Fargo?
Free; skates available to rent. Skate with Santa is on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 4 to 6 pm at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in North Dakota?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our North Dakota 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.
