The Annual Storytime with Santa at Arden Fair takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Kids can wear PJs and participate in an early holiday celebration with festive hands-on activities, a light breakfast, and storytime with Santa.
Imaginarium: Holiday Magic returns to Cal Expo and opens in Sacramento on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The experience runs through January 4, 2027. Enjoy millions of dazzling holiday lights. A free circus is included with admission. Kids can meet Santa, and there's also an ice skating rink.
The Annual Dickens Street Faire in Elk Grove takes place on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Old Town Elk Grove will be full of festive fun and vendors over Thanksgiving weekend. Santa will be rescued by the fire department. There will be free entertainment, a kids' craft corner, and live performers. After the vendors close, the event switches to Christmas with carolers and a storytime with Santa. A Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6pm.
Enjoy Winter Fun on the Parkway: Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at the American River Parkway Foundation's Native Plant Garden. This holiday event will include photos with Santa, kids ornament making, a reindeer-themed nature walk and scavenger hunt, and more.
Chug along the tracks of the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers for the Santa Train in Rancho Cordova during the 1st and 2nd weekend of December 2026 (Dec 5-6 & 12-13). The train will take families to Santa's Oasis where children will get to meet and take photos with Santa. Bring a letter to Santa with a return address! Kids 2 and under are free.
The annual Christkindlmarkt at Sacramento Turn Verein will take place on Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2026. This event is the closest Sacramento will get to an authentic German Christmas market. There will be local vendors, traditional German food, Glühwein (mulled wine), and Santa Claus appearances. Event is free for children under 15.
Fairytale Town will turn into a Winter Wonderland from December 5-6 and 12-13, 2026. 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 occur at 6pm near the Mother Goose stage.
The annual Illumination Holiday Festival will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at District 56 in Elk Grove. 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 a snowfall finale.
Woodland Wonderland of Lights returns in 2026 in Yolo County. The experience begins on Saturday, December 5, 2026 and runs through Sunday, December 13, 2026. This is a 2-mile holiday lights car drive-thru event.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland takes place on Tuesday, December 8, 2026. This holiday show will have acrobatics and aerial performances in a winter wonderland the whole family will love. Two performances at 3pm and 7:30pm will occur at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom.
This year's Santa Parade will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2026. This free holiday parade will circle Capitol Park beginning at 10am. Expect to see marching bands, horses, vehicles, clowns, and Santa Claus.
The free D1 Winter Wonderland takes place on Sunday, December 13, 2026 at North Natomas Regional Park. There will be free ice skating, games, holiday workshops, and vendors. Santa will also make an appearance.