Free Things to Do in December: A Week-by-Week Budget Plan
Plan free December outings week by week, from Dec. 5-6 museum days to light displays and library events.
This week-by-week budget plan gives you free things to do in each week of December 2026. It pairs monthly free museum days with holiday light displays and library programs. You can use it to spread no-cost outings from Dec.
4 through the end of the month. Each week centers on dates with no admission or viewing charge. Some events need a qualifying card, local residency, or in-person arrival.
Check hours and ticket rules before you go.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
Week 1: Museums and Tree Lightings Dec. 4-6
Start Dec. 4-6 with two kinds of free outings. Bank of America cardholders get free general admission to 225+ U.S.
museums that weekend. According to the Bank of America Arts and Culture page, the first full weekend is Dec. 5-6 and visitors must show an eligible card museum weekend details.
The City of North Charleston lists free holiday events the same weekend. Its 40-foot Christmas tree lighting runs Dec. 4, 2026, from 6-7 p.m.
A Park Circle celebration with lighted displays follows Dec. 5 from 2-6 p.m. Plan Week 1 with these checks:
- Bring an eligible Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card for museum entry.
- Confirm your museum takes part before travel.
- Arrive early for outdoor lights and parking.
Week 2: Free Tuesday Art in Los Angeles
Use Dec. 8 for art in Los Angeles. LACMA gives free general admission to all visitors on the second Tuesday of each month, which falls Dec.
8, 2026. The LACMA Tickets page notes the offer excludes specially ticketed shows ticket and visit details. L.A.
County residents have another weekday option. LACMA also offers free weekday-after-3 p.m. hours for county residents.
Bring proof of county residency and expect ticketed shows to cost extra.
Weeks 3 and 4: Daily Free Choices
Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. offer free admission daily except Dec. 25, from 10 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Visit page says that museum requires free timed-entry passes visit hours and pass information. A timed-entry pass reserves an arrival window but does not charge admission.
For evening plans, Chicago offers a long viewing window. Choose Chicago reports the 113th Christmas Tree Lighting in Millennium Park on Nov. 20, 2026, at 6 p.m.
with fireworks. The tree remains free to view through Jan. 10, 2027.
The New York Public Library calendar lists free December programs for other cold-weather days. Choices include crafts, board games, after-school tutoring and holiday book giveaways. Most need in-person attendance and some cap entry first-come, first-served.
What Still Needs a Budget?
National parks will not offer a fee-free day in December 2026. The National Park Service list ends with Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
December park visits must budget normal entrance or timed-entry fees. Other limits affect free days. Special exhibits at LACMA can carry a separate ticket.
Library programs can fill early and Air and Space entry depends on pass supply. Set aside park fees first, then fill other days with the free dates above.