Things to do with kids in Albuquerque, NM
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Albuquerque time)
Coming up in Albuquerque: Albuquerque Community Safety Trunk or Treat (Oct 30), Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park (Oct 31), Albuquerque Turkey Trot (Tot Trot & Little Turkey Mile, Nov 26) and 3 more events. 8 always-open places, led by ABQ BioPark Zoo, ABQ BioPark Aquarium & Botanic Garden and ¡Explora!. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Albuquerque
Albuquerque Community Safety Trunk or Treat
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 3–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Costumes, food, games, a haunted house, music and candy for the whole family at the 3rd annual ACS Trunk or Treat.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 12–4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
A free Halloween 3-on-3 basketball event and indoor candy trail, hosted by City Councilor Dan Champine.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Albuquerque
Albuquerque Turkey Trot (Tot Trot & Little Turkey Mile)
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Tot Trot 8:15am; Little Turkey Mile 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning races at Balloon Fiesta Park with a 50-yard Tot Trot for ages 6 and under and a Little Turkey Mile for ages 12 and under, plus adult races.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nightly Nov 28–Jan 3; closed Dec 24 and 25) · 5–10pm (last entry 8pm)
- Cost
- Timed-entry tickets; buy online in advance (see site for prices)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than 700 light displays and animated sculptures, from a 1-foot flower to a 30-foot Brachiosaurus. Last time slot 8pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Twinkle Light Parade in Nob Hill
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Starts 5:15pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The City of Albuquerque's free lighted holiday parade along a mile of Route 66 in Nob Hill. Central Ave closes to traffic from 3pm, so arrive early.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free museum days
Free Sunday Mornings at the Albuquerque Museum
- When
- Sun, Nov 1 – Sun, Dec 27 (Every Sunday morning (also free the first Wednesday of the month)) · 9am–1pm
- Cost
- Free general admission
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Free admission to the city's art and history museum in Old Town every Sunday morning.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
ABQ BioPark Zoo
- Price
- New Mexico residents: adult $10, youth (3–12) $5; non-residents: adult $19.50, youth $11; 2 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
9am–5pm; closed Mondays between Veterans Day and Presidents Day
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
ABQ BioPark Aquarium & Botanic Garden
- Price
- New Mexico residents: adult $12, youth (3–12) $7; non-residents: adult $21.50, youth $13; 2 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
9am–5pm (4pm during River of Lights); closed Mondays between Veterans Day and Presidents Day
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
¡Explora!
- Price
- Adult $11 · Child $7 (child 1-11)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on science center; daily 10am–5pm, Monday Toddler Time 9–11am
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Dinosaurs, planetarium and space exhibits; open 9am–5pm Wed–Mon, closed Tue
Albuquerque Museum
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art and history museum in Old Town; free Sundays 9am–1pm and the first Wednesday of each month
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hot-air balloon history and hands-on exhibits next to Balloon Fiesta Park; free Sundays 9am–1pm and the first Friday of each month (not during Balloon Fiesta)
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Museum of the 19 Pueblos with weekend dances; open 9am–5pm
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Bosque trails, pond viewing room and visitor center; park 8am–5pm, visitor center hours vary (call ahead)
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Albuquerque this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 3 family events in Albuquerque, all free: Albuquerque Community Safety Trunk or Treat (Fri, free), Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park (Sat, free) and Free Sunday Mornings at the Albuquerque Museum (Sun, free).
What time is trick-or-treating in Albuquerque?
Sunset on Halloween in Albuquerque is at 6:13 p.m. Albuquerque doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. City event: Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park, Sat., Oct. 31, 12–4 p.m., Holiday Park Community Center.
What Halloween events are in Albuquerque in 2026?
We list 2 Halloween or fall events in Albuquerque, all free: Albuquerque Community Safety Trunk or Treat (Fri, Oct 30, free) and Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park (Sat, Oct 31, free).
What are free things to do with kids in Albuquerque?
These are free according to their official sites: 4 upcoming events in Albuquerque, including Albuquerque Community Safety Trunk or Treat (Fri, Oct 30) and Haunted Hoops & Trick or Treats at Holiday Park (Sat, Oct 31). See all 4 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Albuquerque when it's too hot or cold?
We list 5 indoor places in Albuquerque: ¡Explora! (kids 1–11 $7), New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, Albuquerque Museum, Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Albuquerque?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Albuquerque: Albuquerque Turkey Trot (Tot Trot & Little Turkey Mile, Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Albuquerque?
We list 2 holiday light events in Albuquerque, 1 free: River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark (Nov 28 – Jan 3) and Twinkle Light Parade in Nob Hill (Dec 5, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Albuquerque?
We list 1 everyday program in Albuquerque: Free Sunday Mornings at the Albuquerque Museum (Every Sunday morning, also free the first Wednesday of the month).
What is there to do with toddlers in Albuquerque?
We list 3 places in Albuquerque that welcome kids under 2, including ABQ BioPark Zoo, ABQ BioPark Aquarium & Botanic Garden and Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Albuquerque?
The best-known family attractions we list in Albuquerque are ABQ BioPark Zoo (New Mexico residents: adult $10, youth, 3–12 $5) and ABQ BioPark Aquarium & Botanic Garden (New Mexico residents: adult $12, youth, 3–12 $7). See all 4 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Albuquerque family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in Albuquerque: ABQ BioPark Zoo (New Mexico residents: adult $10, youth, 3–12 $5), ABQ BioPark Aquarium & Botanic Garden (New Mexico residents: adult $12, youth, 3–12 $7) and ¡Explora! (adult $11, kids 1–11 $7). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
See something that's off? Send us a correction.
Know a family event we're missing? Tell us about it.