River City Food Bank will be having a free Holiday Food Distribution on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Arden. The distribution will take place at The Center at St. Matthew's in Arden beginning at 10:30am and will include healthy, holiday-inspired groceries (no frozen turkeys). Must be present to receive food.
BYLP HQ will be having its annual Love Thy Neighbor Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Elk Grove. RSVP is required. Turkey giveaway is drive-thru pickup only. Limited to one turkey per family. RSVP here.
A kid-friendly four-person operatic of Goldie B. Locks and the Three Singing Bears will be performed for kids of all ages on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Mary L. Stephens Davis Library. This free performance is presented by the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, and Yolo County Library.
Kids can bring along a stuffed animal for a Tea Party on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Space To Play in Elk Grove. The afternoon will include kid-friendly decaf tea, juice, snacks, and open play time at the play space.
Harvest of Hope will be supporting families in need on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Orangevale, distributing frozen turkeys and dinners. This free event will also have fun activities for kids, direct access to organizations, local services, and community resources.
The annual Palladio Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This free event in Folsom will have refreshments, performances, and holiday fun with Santa and friends.
The Fountains Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This free holiday event in Roseville will include carols, crafts, letters to Santa, and a walk through decorated trees.
Ceaze the Moment will be having a free Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Oak Park. They plan to distribute 500 turkeys to families in need, which are first come, first serve starting at 8am. Turkeys limited to 1 per family/vehicle.
The Harvest of Thanks Celebration takes place on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Maidu Park Farmers Market. There will be inflatables for kids, games, pie walks, and shopping specials.
The Mountain Mandarin Festival returns for three days, November 21-23, 2025 at the grounds in Roseville. This annual festival celebrates the arrival of mandarins when they begin to become ripe for the season. There will be family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more.
Dinger, the Sacramento River Cats mascot, will be at a special storytime on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Wild Sisters Book Co. While the event is free, RSVP is required.
Paradise Missionary Baptist Church will have a free Thanksgiving Food Boxes Giveaway on Monday, November 24, 2025. The giveaway begins at 10am and is free to the whole community.
A free Holiday Food Distribution will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in North Highlands. Food boxes and gift cards will be available at the event (no frozen turkeys). Limited to 1 family while supplies last starting at 8:30am.
River City Food Bank will be having a free Holiday Food Distribution on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in Midtown Sacramento. The distribution will take place at 1800 28th Street beginning at 10:30am and will include healthy, holiday-inspired groceries (no frozen turkeys). Must be present to receive food.
The Old Sacramento Waterfront Tree Lighting takes place on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Festivities will begin at 5:30pm. The first Theatre of Lights show of 2025 will follow the tree lighting and kicks off at 6:15pm.
Start out Thanksgiving morning in Elk Grove with the annual Elk Grove Gobble Wobble on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The 5k run/walk supports the nonprofit, Chicks in Crisis. There is also a non-timed kids 1/4 mile fun run.
The Folsom Historic Ice Rink will have a Thanksgiving PJ Party at the Rink on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Wear your pajamas while ice skating on Thanksgiving. Regular rates apply and skate sessions are two hours.
After the Black Friday chaos, take a break and spend the morning at a Black Friday Bash at Space To Play on Friday, November 29, 2025. Admission is $10 from 9am to 12pm for three hours of play. There will also be free coffee and hot cocoa.
Santa will be at the Woodland Train Depot on Saturday, November 29, 2025. There will be family fun, activities for kids, fire trucks, and more. A family donation to the Sacramento Valley Historical Railways will include a visit with Santa and a holiday ornament for each child.
The Annual Dickens Street Faire in Elk Grove takes place on Saturday, November 29, 2025. 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.
Cocoa & Cookies with Santa is a free holiday event taking place on Saturday, November 29, 2025 in Elk Grove. There will be interactive activities for kids such as building your own stuffy, and an arts and crafts table. Children will get to meet and take a photo with Santa.
Santa will visit Apple Ridge Farms in Apple Hill over Thanksgiving weekend from November 28-30, 2025 from 10am to 3pm.
The Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This free event will include the annual tree lighting and fireworks will begin at 7pm. There will be hay rides, train rides, snow, Santa, a live nativity, and more. Bring a new, unwrapped gift to stuff a squad car for kids in need.
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.
Carmichael will ring in the holiday spirit at their annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Santa photos will be available in exchange for a donation of 1 canned good per child. There will be arts and crafts, festive fun, and a snowfall after the tree lighting ceremony.