Top Events in Sacramento for Kids This December 2025
Winter is here, and with it come holiday events in Sacramento and a host of winter activities. Additionally, there are many other fun activities to enjoy in December, including a Taylor Swift laser concert and zip-lining.
Most of the events in Sacramento in December are holiday events. That doesn’t mean just Christmas events, though. There’s a Chanukah Wonderland in Folsom, and a few Posada Navideña celebrations.
While there are plenty of free events in December, I have an entire list of free holiday events in Sacramento for kids. Some of the best December events not to miss this month are Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, the Nutcracker, and the month ends with a free Noon Year’s Eve at The Crocker Art Museum.
Looking for more holiday happenings? Discover the top holiday activities in Sacramento for families to make December a magical holiday season.
Kids can enjoy Winterfest at the Arden-Dimick Library on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Each child will receive two free books at the event. There will also be face painting, crafts, and stories.
For just $10, take a single zip line ride at Quarry Park Adventures from Friday – Sunday, December 5-7, 2025.
Wild Nights and Holiday Lights returns to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary in December 2025. The zoo is transformed into a holiday wonderland with tons of twinkling lights. The Folsom Valley Railway miniature train also provides nighttime rides through holiday lights.
Taylor Swift: Laser Concert Series will take place on Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6, 2025 inside the UC Davis Multiverse Theater at MOSAC. This is a one-of-a-kind immersive music experience where full-dome lasers will be paired with Taylor Swift songs. Shows are an hour long.
The North Highlands Holiday Extravaganza and Tree Lighting takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025. The free holiday event will include an outdoor ice skating rink, cookie decorating, free hot cocoa bar, and Grinch caricature portraits. A snowfall will occur after the tree lighting.
The City of Galt gets into the holiday spirit with Lighting of the Night on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The free holiday festivities will include Santa photos, a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, and a holiday market.
There will be a an Xfinity Free Skate on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Skating Rink. Families can enjoy free ice skating from 10am to 12pm.
Fairytale Town will turn into a Winter Wonderland from December 6-7 and 13-14, 2025. Expect a festive atmosphere with holiday-themed crafts and story times in the Story Center, a holiday scavenger hunt, games, and photo ops with Santa Claus and the Grinch. Holiday lights will dazzle visitors beginning at dusk and a nightly snowfall will[…]
Enjoy the holiday season with a horse and carriage ride to celebrate Santa’s arrival at Loehmann’s Plaza on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Carriage rides last for 5 minutes and are $5 per person with proceeds benefitting Sacramento SPCA. Advance tickets are required, and are limited. Children ages 2 and under ride free on a lap.
The City of Galt will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for all to attend for the opening of its first sensory playground opening on Saturday, December 6, 2025. There will be sweet treats while kids get to experience the new playground at the Galt Sports Complex.
The annual Illumination Holiday Festival will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025. This favorite free holiday event in Elk Grove will have a special one day ice skating rink, Santa photo ops, bounce houses for kids, and winter carnival games. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6pm which will be followed by[…]
Woodland Wonderland of Lights is a brand-new holiday lights experience in 2025 in Yolo County. The experience begins on Saturday, December 6, 2025 and runs through Sunday, December 14, 2025. This is a 2-mile holiday lights car drive-thru event.
The Old Sacramento Lighted Boat Parade floats down the Sacramento River on Saturday, December 6, 2025. This annual boat parade is put on by the Capital City Yacht Club. The parade begins at 5pm.
Chanukah Wonderland takes place on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the Folsom Community Center. All families are welcome to attend. There will be carnival games, interactive crafts, a build-a-menorah workshop, latkes, face painting, live shows, and more holiday fun.
Bring a canned food or pantry item donation to support local Sacramento area families to receive free open play at Safetyville USA on December 9 & 10, 2025. These two hour events will also include complimentary hot cocoa and cookies.
Families can go tubing for free for several days and nights in December 2025 on the Winter Tube Hill at Bayside Church in El Dorado Hills. This is a free event on a tube hill (no snow) for all to enjoy.
Bring a canned food or pantry item donation to support local Sacramento area families to receive free open play at Safetyville USA on December 9 & 10, 2025. These two hour events will also include complimentary hot cocoa and cookies.
Winter at The Square at Folsom History will take place over two weekends in 2025 on December 12-13 & 19-20. There will be elf-led gold planning, a holiday postcard scavenger hunt, hot chocolate, make your own holiday gifts, and a winter wonderland with lights and decorations. Kids and adults ages 13+ can forge candy canes[…]
The Live Nativity in Rancho Cordova takes place from December 12-14, 2025. Free reservations are encouraged but not required. This is an outdoor event that’s wheelchair accessible. Walking journeys begin every 15 minutes. Last presentation takes place at 8pm.
The Sacramento Ballet performs the timeless holiday classic, Nutcracker on select nights in December 2025. The show performances begin on Friday, December 12. The performances will be accompanied by the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera and take place at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center. The showtime runs for approximately two hours.
This year’s Santa Parade will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free holiday parade will circle Capitol Park beginning at 10am. Expect to see marching bands, horses, vehicles, clowns, and Santa Claus.
The Popcorn Store in Elk Grove will have its free annual Popcorn with Santa event on Saturday, December 13, 2025. In addition to free photos with Santa, there will be free bags of gourmet white popcorn and a kids art activity table.
Celebrate Christmas at 40 Acres on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free community event at Guild Theater and Underground Books will have photos with Santa, hands-on activities, face painting, crafts, treats, and more. There will also be cookies and hot cocoa. While this is a free event, registration is required.
Holidays at Koobs will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This free holiday event in the Koobs Nature Area will have visits with Santa, and crafts for families that include ornament making, and cookie decorating.
Festival of the Winter Star will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at The Franklin Library in Elk Grove. This free event will have arts and crafts, activities, snacks, and winter-themed movies for kids of all ages.
Posada Navideña will be taking place on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Placita MX in Sacramento. This free family-friendly event will have ponce, pan, tamales, aguinaldos for young kids, live mariachi music, local vendors, and more. While this is a free event, RSVP is required.
The free D1 Winter Wonderland takes place on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at North Natomas Regional Park. There will be free ice skating, games, holiday workshops, and vendors. Santa will also make an appearance.
Snowy Sunday with Anna, Elsa & the Grinch takes place on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This free event will have photo opportunities with these favorite wintertime characters as they roam the Fountains at Roseville while it snows at the center.
Celebrate Posada Navideña at a free event with the Franklin Boulevard District on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Families can enjoy festive music, food, traditional drinks, kid-friendly activities, a visit from Santa, and more.
The Chabad of Elk Grove will have its annual free Hanukkah celebration, Light Up Elk Grove on Sunday, December 14, 2025. There will be latkes and donuts, balloon twisting, face painting, cookie decorating, caricatures, a 9-ft LED menorah, and more at this free community event.
The Southside Santa Parade will kick off from McClatchy Park on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This free holiday event will have Santa visiting parks and schools in South Sacramento throughout the night. Families will be able to take free photos with Santa while enjoying a hot cocoa stand and Christmas carolers.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland takes place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This holiday show will have acrobatics and aerial performances in a winter wonderland the whole family will love. Two performances at 3:30pm and 7:30pm will occur at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom.
La Familia will be having its annual Posada Navideña on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The free event will have activities for kids, hot chocolate, pan dulce, a visit from Santa, community resources, and more.
It’s a Christmas miracle! Country Club Lanes will have unlimited free bowling on Christmas Day from 9am to 4pm. Shoe rentals do need to be purchased which are $6.75 per person. Laser tag will also be available for $5 per person per game.
Ring in 2026 at a family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve on December 31, 2025 at The Crocker Art Museum. Little ones can enjoy this free celebration at the early time of 10:30am with live performances and music, storytimes, interactive activities, and more.
Countdown on the Cobblestones returns to Old Sacramento on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2025. This family-friendly NYE celebration will include fireworks at 9pm. There will also be interactive activities and live music from 5 to 10pm.
