Where to See Christmas Lights in Sacramento (2025 Guide)

Sacramento knows how to celebrate the holidays. Each December, elaborate Christmas lights sparkle throughout the Capital City. Families can get into the festive spirit by strolling neighborhoods strung with Christmas lights in Folsom and Natomas, and checking out elaborate annual holiday light displays in the Fab 40s and Orangevale. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, bundle up, and bask in the beauty of homes decked out for the holidays.

For more Christmas festivities in Sacramento communities, discover where kids can see free neighborhood Santa parades. Plus, don’t miss out on the best holiday activities in Sacramento for families.

When venturing out to see neighborhood Christmas lights, be mindful that they are weather-dependent. Christmas lights might not be on in poor weather conditions. Additionally, please be respectful of people’s private homes who bring holiday cheer to so many Sacramento families.

More Holiday Happenings in Sacramento for Kids

➡️ Free Holiday Events in Sacramento for Kids

➡️ Holiday Train Rides Near Sacramento

Free Neighborhood Christmas Lights in Sacramento

1. Fab 40s — East Sacramento

Seeing Christmas lights in the Fab 40s is one of the top holiday activities in Sacramento. Families love checking out the stunning holiday lights adorning the gorgeous homes in East Sacramento. Christmas lights are usually displayed on homes in East Sacramento, from 40th Street to 50th Street, specifically between Folsom Boulevard and J Street.

The Fab 40s are probably the most popular neighborhood in Sacramento to see Christmas lights. That also means it’s the busiest. In addition to streets lined with cars, you’ll find tuk tuks, pedicabs, horses and carriages, and various other vehicles that take people around to enjoy the Christmas lights in the Fab 40s.

To avoid crowds, consider going early on weekdays, just as the sun starts to set. You can technically walk the Fab 40s, but due to the neighborhood spanning many blocks, it can be chaotic, with a lot of traffic. With kids, it’s probably safest to see this neighborhood from the car.

Note: People have stated that the Fab 40s Christmas lights haven’t been as good compared to previous years.

2. Rockmont Circle — Natomas 

One of the best places to see Christmas lights in Sacramento is Rockmont Circle. This Natomas neighborhood goes all out each holiday season. Lights typically go up the day after Thanksgiving and shine through New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the large Christmas tree in the middle of Java Court. A food barrel is also on Java Court for people who come to admire the lights to donate non-perishable food and monetary contributions to local Sacramento food banks.

Rockmont Circle is an easy neighborhood for families to walk to enjoy the Christmas lights. Speaking of Rockmont Circle, it’s a stop on one of the neighborhood Santa parades in Sacramento. St. Nick will drop by Rockmont Circle on Saturday, December 6, 2025, as part of Santa in D1 in North Natomas.

Note: This is said to be the best Christmas lights display in all of Sacramento!

3. Darvel Court — Folsom

Folsom knows how to get into the Christmas spirit, and Darvel Court helps create some of that holiday magic. There are massive 70 ft redwood trees decked out in green and blue lights. They rent a lift to decorate the massive trees each year! The neighborhood claims that as the redwood trees grew, so did their impressive Christmas light displays. Darvel Court is also known for Volkswagen Beetles and buses illuminated in Christmas lights. However, the Volkswagens aren’t always there.

This neighborhood is one where families can enjoy walking around to take in all the fabulous holiday lights. A coffee vendor serving warm holiday beverages sometimes visits Darvel Court. Christmas lights are usually on display through New Year’s Eve.

I absolutely love this Christmas lights display. The large, decorated trees are truly mesmerizing. It’s one of my favorite spots to enjoy Christmas lights in the Sacramento area.

Note: You can walk it or drive it, though I might recommend driving for this one. Cars are asked to turn off their lights off when driving around the court.

4. Ledgemont Court — Folsom

At only a six minute drive from Darvel Court, is Ledgemont Court in Folsom. This is another impressive Christmas lights display in the Sacramento area. It’s technically Ledgemont Court/Dulverton Circle. It’s another neighborhood that’s simple to walk and a less busier one than others on the list.

The famous VW buses from Darvel Court, decorated with Christmas lights, also drive through Ledgemont Court. While there are no set dates or times when you can see them, they tend to do a nightly drive-through of the neighborhood from 6-7pm, as long as the weather is good.

Note: I recommend walking this one (though you can also drive it). There are many details to see at each house . Some houses adjacent to the court are also worth checking out.

5. Dovewood Court — Orangevale

Dovewood Court in Orangevale is another favorite neighborhood for many Sacramento families to visit during the holiday season. Dovewood Court is a cul-de-sac. It’s a much smaller neighborhood than, say, the Fab 40s, which actually makes it easier to see and do with younger kids, as the houses are all in one location. You can walk or drive to Dovewood Court.

It does get busy, especially on weekends. That means the car line can go slow (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re trying to see the lights!). If you prefer to walk, there are a few churches across the street that accept monetary donations for parking.

6. Pebble Creek Drive Christmas Lights — Rocklin

This Rocklin locale is known as the neighborhood with “Disney lights.” Many of the Christmas light displays incorporate Disney theming and characters. Park at the Bel Air in Rocklin and walk into the Pebble Creek Drive neighborhood from there to check out the holiday lights.

7. Candy Cane Lane — Elmhurst

Stroll through PVC lighted tunnels in this Elmhurst neighborhood during the holiday season. You can find Candy Cane Lane off S Street between 53rd and 54th in Sacramento. The neighborhood goes all out with holiday decor each Christmas.

Free Neighborhood Christmas Lights in Elk Grove

Elk Grove doesn’t have one specific neighborhood where every house goes all out; instead, there are individual homes worth checking out during the holiday season. Since I live in Elk Grove, I have the scoop on where to go to see the best Christmas lights. Another great resource is the free holiday home tour map from the Laguna-Elk Grove Kiwanis Club. In 2025, free maps will be available from December 10 to 25.

Check out some of the best Christmas lights in Elk Grove in my Instagram Reel.

8. 9436 Polhemus Dr — Elk Grove

You’ll find this house near Old Town Elk Grove. Every inch of its front lawn is filled and illuminated with holiday figures. There are animals, pop culture characters, and every holiday character you can think of. This house is one that you’ll want to get out of the car to explore. A path under a lit archway lights the way. Those who find Waldo amidst the hundreds of holiday figures get a candy cane. It’s an awe-inspiring display, and kids will love spotting the different characters and animals.

Tip: If you want to take along a holiday latte or hot cocoa, swing by Tule Coffeehouse before going to admire the Christmas lights at this house.

9. 8486 Mainstay Court — Elk Grove

For a spectacular holiday light show in Elk Grove, head to Mainstay Court. The house has thousands of twinkling lights and displays synced up to music. The owner (David) is “Papa Christmas” and hands out candy canes to kids. This house is a lovely holiday spectacle to spread Christmas cheer in Elk Grove.

10. 3316 Lake Terrace Drive — Elk Grove

While the main house on this street is 3316 Lake Terrace Drive, some of the surrounding homes also get into the holiday spirit. The street can get busy. There’s usually a line of cars waiting to check out the synced-up holiday light show at this Lake Terrace home in Laguna West.

11. Encantos Circle — Elk Grove

There are many holiday train rides near Sacramento, but only one is free. The family at 8765 Los Encantos Circle operates a free train ride for the community. The train ride is particularly popular during Halloween, but receives a holiday overlay in December. The train typically operates on weekends in December, beginning at 6pm. It won’t operate in the rain. It’s a cute little train ride you sit on that chugs along the perimeter of the home. There’s even a winter surprise at the end!