There is nothing more magical than Sacramento during the holiday season! The streets are filled with lights, people are in good spirits, and best of all, there are so many ways to celebrate in the 916!
Whether you are looking for photos with Santa or holiday music, Sacramento365 has rounded up some of the activities going on so you can make it the most wonderful time of the year.
Photos with Santa
Arden Fair
Through Dec. 24 | Mon-Fri Various times
Santa has returned to the Arden Fair Mall to help with all your photo needs! Meet Santa at the Center Court, tell him your wish list, and grab a few pictures.
Saving Sustainable Santa: Immersive Photo Experience
The Atrium
Nov. 24-Dec. 23 | Wed-Sun 3:30pm-7:30pm
Santa needs your help keepin the North Pole cold to restore the magic! Protect the environment, play the recycle trivia game, and take a peek into Santa’s Magical Sack of Toys- creating cinematic moments for our photographer to capture.
Magical Christmas Train
River Fox Train
Nov. 24-Dec. 23 | Fri 1pm, 4pm & 7pm; Sat & Sun 10am, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
Step aboard the magical Christmas train and be transported to an enchanting winter wonderland! Santa’s elves will be on board the train to guide passengers in holiday sing-a-longs, elfish games, and fun festive activities. Round out the ride with a visit from Santa Claus!
Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley
Capital Stage
Nov. 29-Dec. 23 | Weds, Thurs, & Fri 7pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 8pm
Georgiana Darcy is an accomplished pianist but wary of romance. Kitty Bennet is a bright-eyed optimist and a perfect best friend. These two younger sisters are ready for their own adventures in life and love, starting with the arrival of an admirer and secret correspondent. Fans of Pride & Prejudice will love this third and final play in the Christmas at Pemberley trilogy.
Old Sacramento Vintage Holiday Market
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Nov. 24-Dec. 30 | Fri-Sun Various Times
Discover the magic of the holidays at the Vintage Holiday Markets! Find unique gifts for your loved ones from a curated selection of handcrafted goods, immerse yourself in the enchanting sights and sounds of the season, and indulge in mouthwatering holiday treats.
Holiday Book Crawl
Sacramento Area Bookstores
Dec. 1-24 | Mon-Sun 10am-5pm
Read the Region, an alliance of Sacramento area independent bookstores, is happy to announce the Holiday Book Crawl with 11 participating independent bookstores in the city and beyond. There’s never been a better time to support your local, independent bookstores!
Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour
Sacred Heart Parish School
Dec. 1-3 | Fri Noon, Sat 10am, & Sun 11am
Residents of the Fab Forties open their homes to the public for the Sacred Heart Parish School Holiday Home Tour. Celebrate the holiday season and tour five beautiful houses decorated by local professional designers.
‘Tis the Season: Around the World
The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts
Dec. 2-24 | Sat & Sun 1pm
Based on the very first B Street Theatre holiday comedy, join the fun and learn all about how people enjoy the holidays in different parts of the world!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Golden 1 Center
Dec. 1 | Fri 3pm & 7:30pm
Trans-Siberian Orchestra takes the holidays to a new level. Experience a Christmas concert in a rock-opera formatting, filled with lights, fire, and so much more!
Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting
Historic Folsom
Dec. 1 | Fri 6pm-9pm
Enjoy a magical evening in the Historic District of Folsom! Marvel in the sparkling lights at the Christmas tree lighting, take a photo with Santa, and enjoy amazing street performances.
Illumination Holiday Festival
District56
Dec. 2 | Sat 3pm-8pm
Celebrate the holidays with the City of Elk Grove at the Illumination Holiday Festival! It is a day filled with fun including a holiday vendor village, ice skating, carnival games, holiday parade of lights, and so much more.
Western Holiday Bar Crawl
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Dec. 2 | Sat 4pm
Saddle up for the holidays! Dust off your boots and let the good time roll as Old Sacramento transforms into a western wonderland for this bar crawl! Each bar will be decked to the nines for the holidays, the tree will be lit, and you might catch some of Theatre of Lights.
A Very Sinatra Christmas Special
The Citizen Hotel
Dec. 6 & 19 | Tues & Wed 6pm & 8:30pm
Come to The Citizen Hotel and experience beautiful panoramic views of downtown Sacramento while feeling the joy of the holiday season! Listen to one California’s best jazz vocalists singing a catalog of holiday tunes Sinatra loved to sing.
Irish Christmas in America
The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts
Dec. 6 | Wed 7pm
Irish Christmas in America brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance, and stories of seasonal Irish traditions. It is a captivating experience you won’t want to miss!
Firetruck Santa
William Land Golf Course
Dec. 7 | Thurs 4:30pm-7pm
Mark your calendar for Firetruck Santa! Meet Santa, check out the hot cocoa bar, and treats. There may even be a few surprises in store.
Sawyer x Gather Studio: Holiday Wreath Making
Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
Dec. 7 | Thurs 6pm-8pm
Enjoy delicious bites and sip on wine while learning how to create a beautiful holiday wreath. It’s the perfect recipe for a memorable time.
Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass
Crest Theatre
Dec 8-10 | Fri & Sat 7pm-9pm & Sun 3pm-5pm
Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass is Sacramento’s favorite way to launch the holiday season! This concert features popular holiday favorites and old-time nostalgia.
The Nutcracker
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
Dec. 9-23 | Various dates and times
A beloved Sacramento tradition brought to you by the Sacramento Ballet! Be dazzled by the amazing dances and beautiful set designs. This show will get you into the magical Christmas spirit.
Christmas in Oak Park
Underground Books
Dec. 9 | Sat 11am-1pm
Join Underground Books to celebrate the Holiday Season! Black Santa will be visiting 40 Acres to take photos with all the children in attendance.
Jingle Bell Pup Crawl
Brooks Truitt Bark Park
Dec. 9 | Sat Noon-4pm
Join the Sacramento SPCA and partnering Midtown businesses to celebrate the paw-lidays by giving back to the animals while you sip, savor and shop this holiday season!
Winter Wonderland
Fairytale Town
Dec. 9 & 10, 16 & 17 | Sat & Sun 1pm-7pm
Celebrate the holidays together at Fairytale Town’s annual Winter Wonderland! Enjoy a visit with Santa Claus, play in nightly snowfall, and enjoy festive decorations.
Holly Jolly Bar Crawl
Midtown
Dec. 9 | Sat 4pm-11pm
Wear your fanciest (or ugliest) holiday attire and join XOSO for a fun night around Sacramento! For each pub crawl registration, XOSO will donate a toy to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Want to do more? They will be accepting additional donations of toys and craft supplies at check-in.
V101 Holiday Jam
Golden 1 Center
Dec. 9 | Sat 7:30pm
Nothing sets the mood like Holiday Jams. E-40 and Mya will be headlining this R&B Holiday show.
Santa Hustle
Vernon Street Town Square
Dec. 10 | Sun 7:30am, 8am, & 8:15am
It’s the most run-derful time of the year! Experience the magic of the Santa Hustle with festive music, outrageous holiday decorations, and thousands of runners dressed like Santa.
Santa and Sirens Parade
Throughout Elk Grove
Dec. 12-14 | Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7pm
Santa and his elves have teamed with the Cosumnes Fire Department and the Elk Grove Police Department to host a series of parades around town. Come out and share in the holiday cheer.
Holiday Passport Night
Historic Folsom
Dec. 14 | Thurs 4pm-8pm
Make it a ladies night, date night or a fun way to do your holiday shopping! Pick up a passport at any of the participating locations and make your way through festive Historic Folsom sipping and shopping all while checking items off your list.
Peter Petty Presents Hepcat’s Holla’ Daze-Swingin’ Yuletide Revue
Crest Theatre
Dec. 16 | Sat 7:30pm
Hepcat’s Holla’Daze is back, starring Sacramento’s own Peter Petty, backed by his unparalleled 12-piece Mercenaries of Merry! It’s a uniquely entertaining, truly one-of-a-kind event that, for many, has become a Sacramento holiday tradition.
Dressed to Kill Comedy: Holiday Edition
Punch Line Sacramento
Dec. 17 | Sun 7pm
Hosted by Amy Thompson, seven comics come dressed to kill it on stage and subject their best threads and jokes to your opinion. The audience will vote separately on which comic has the best style and which has the best set of jokes.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
Dec. 27-31 | Wed 7:30pm; Thurs, Fri, & Sat 1:30pm & 7:30pm; & Sun 1:30pm
Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and help remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season.
If you’re looking for more ways to sleigh the season, visit Sacramento365’s holiday events page.