Free Holiday Events in Sacramento for Kids 2025

The Annual Santa Storytime and Pajama Party at Arden Fair takes place on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Kids can wear PJs and participate in an early holiday celebration with festive hands-on activities, a light breakfast, and storytime with Santa. 

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.

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. 

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[…]

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. 

The Fair Oaks Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Families will be able to take photo ops with Santa, the Grinch, and Elsa. There will be hands-on activities for kids, performances, a snow fall, and more festive fun. 

Downtown Roseville will kick off the holidays with a free tree lighting on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The tree lighting will occur in Vernon Street Town Square. There will be family-friendly holiday activities, Santa visits, a kids activity zone, and maybe even some snow. 

The annual Candlelight Parade and Winter Wonderland in Davis will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The Candlelight Parade will begin at 6pm from the Davis Food Co-op Parking Lot and end at G Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets). The winter wonderland event will begin after the parade and will include horse and[…]

Parade of Lights will march through downtown Lodi on Thursday, December 4, 2025. This free event is a beloved holiday spectacle with festive lights, vehicles, entertainment, and Santa Claus. The parade begins at 6:17pm. 

The annual River District Community Extravaganza will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025. This free holiday event in Mirasol Village Park will include free photos with Santa, family-friendly arts and crafts, free hot chocolate, cookie decorating, games, and more. 

The Woodland Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on the First Friday of December on December 5, 2025. This free event will include photos with Santa from 6-9pm, the tree lighting at 7pm, and trackless train rides down Main Street Woodland from 7-9pm. 

The West Sacramento Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025 in front of City Hall. This free holiday event will include photos with Santa, family-friendly activities and games, live music, entertainment, and Santa arriving to the tree lighting by firetruck. 

Holiday in the Park will kick off a festive tree lighting on Friday, December 5, 2025 in Arden Park. Photos with Santa will take place after the tree lighting. There will also be crafts for kids and hot chocolate. 

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 Historic Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting is on Friday, December 5, 2025. Santa will make his debut, and there will be live performances, entertainment, crafts, bounce houses, and more. The tree lighting takes place at 7:30pm. 

Enjoy a winter wonderland at The Prickly Pear on December 5 & 6, 2025. Wander through a desert garden, take your photo in front of a picture next to a 10-ft succulent tree, see a light show, hang out with a baby goats and Harriet the goose, and shop from food and beverage vendors. 

The Annual Natomas Chamber Holiday Tree Lighting takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025. This free holiday event will have Santa, arts and crafts, free hot cocoa, candy canes, and more holiday cheer. 

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. 

The Annual Sylvia Besana Holiday Parade takes place on Saturday, December 6, 2025 in downtown Roseville. The parade marches down Vernon Street and begins at 10:30am. Vendors will be open before the parade at 10am at Vernon Street Town Square. This free parade will have floats, horses, Santa, and more. 

The Lodi Fire Foundation Annual Christmas Festival will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025. This free holiday event will have Santa, crafts, games, food, and more. 

Families can get free pictures with Santa at Harley-Davidson of Sacramento on Saturday, December 6 & 20, 2025. Bring your own camera! 

Get in the holiday spirit at Candy Cane Lane at Delta Shores on Saturday, December 6, 2025. This free family-friendly event will include storytime and photo ops with Buddy the Elf, face painting, crafts, seasonal treats, and more. While this is a free event, registration is required. 

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[…]

The Rocklin Tree Lighting at Quarry Park is on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Enjoy visits with Santa, live entertainment, a holiday market, and more. The tree lighting kicks off at 7pm. 

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. 

Creekside Town Center in Roseville will have a free Holiday Celebration on Sunday, December 7, 2025. There will be photos with Santa, treat bags, face painting, and balloon art. 

Enjoy A Fresh Aire Holiday Concert with the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band on Sunday, December 7, 2025. This free holiday concert will have the music of Manheim Steamroller. 

Enjoy free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Critterville on Monday, December 8, 2025. There will be cookies, cocoa, and a chance to see some of Critterville’s animal ambassadors. 

The Galt Police Department will have a holiday open house on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. This free event will include photos with Santa, a stroll through the police station, and holiday treats like cookie and hot cocoa. 

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. 

For one of the best free photos with Santa in Sacramento, head to Santa’s Christmas Cottage in Historic Folsom next to the ice rink. Take photos with your own camera and enjoy this festive atmosphere with Santa, Mrs Claus, Rudolph, and other holiday characters. Santa’s Christmas Cottage is open in 2025 on Friday and Saturday[…]

The 7th Annual Fortunate Feast takes place on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Oak Park Community Center. Neighbors are welcome to attend this free community event. Breakfast, coffee or hot cocoa, new toys, gifts,  holiday supplies, decor, and more will all be available for free. Santa will also be available at the event for[…]

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. 

Celebrate Santa’s Arrival at Citrus Town Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025. There will be free photos with Santa, face painting, snow play tables, and a festive atmosphere. While this is a free event, donations for Santa photos are appreciated. 

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. 

If your kids love The Grinch, Harley-Davidson of Sacramento will have free pictures with The Grinch on Saturday, December 14, 2025. 

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. 

Santa and Mrs Claus will be at Strapping Store in Oak Park on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Photos will take place from 1-3pm. There will also be cookies and cocoa. 

Santa comes to Southpointe Christian Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025. There will be photos with Santa, hot cocoa, kids’ crafts, and more at this free holiday event. The first 500 children (12 and under) will receive a free toy. 

The Fratello Marionettes will perform a free North Pole Review show on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The show will take place at 3pm at the Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library in Davis. 

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. 

Country Christmas takes place in Auburn on December 13 & 20, 2025. This free holiday event will have a festive atmosphere with activities, vendors, holiday treats, live music, holiday decor, and more. Kids can enjoy visits with Santa and family-friendly activities. 

For one of the best free photos with Santa in Sacramento, head to Santa’s Christmas Cottage in Historic Folsom next to the ice rink. Take photos with your own camera and enjoy this festive atmosphere with Santa, Mrs Claus, Rudolph, and other holiday characters. Santa’s Christmas Cottage is open in 2025 on Friday and Saturday[…]

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. 

A Santa Claus experience will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Big Oak Nursery in Elk Grove. Enjoy free photos with Santa from 11am to 1pm. 

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. 

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. 

For one of the best free photos with Santa in Sacramento, head to Santa’s Christmas Cottage in Historic Folsom next to the ice rink. Take photos with your own camera and enjoy this festive atmosphere with Santa, Mrs Claus, Rudolph, and other holiday characters. Santa’s Christmas Cottage is open in 2025 on Friday and Saturday[…]

The new Popcorn Store in Midtown Sacramento will have a Popcorn with Santa event on Saturday, December 20, 2025. In addition to free photos with Santa, there will be free bags of gourmet white popcorn and a kids art activity table. 

Winterfest will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Swanston Community Center. This free event will include train rides, carnival games, snow machines, a dance party, hot cocoa, and more festive fun.  

The River Park Holiday Lights Competition will take place on December 20 & 21, 2025. Pick up a route map and voting ballot from the cocoa and cider station at 5809 Callister. Walk the route to vote for your favorite houses in holiday lights in 3 different categories. Santa will also be at the event[…]

Country Christmas takes place in Auburn on December 13 & 20, 2025. This free holiday event will have a festive atmosphere with activities, vendors, holiday treats, live music, holiday decor, and more. Kids can enjoy visits with Santa and family-friendly activities. 

For one of the best free photos with Santa in Sacramento, head to Santa’s Christmas Cottage in Historic Folsom next to the ice rink. Take photos with your own camera and enjoy this festive atmosphere with Santa, Mrs Claus, Rudolph, and other holiday characters. Santa’s Christmas Cottage is open in 2025 on Friday and Saturday[…]

Kids will get to meet Santa for free on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Wild Sisters Book Co. Special guests Buddy the Elf and Mrs Claus will be joining in on the festive fun. 

The River Park Holiday Lights Competition will take place on December 20 & 21, 2025. Pick up a route map and voting ballot from the cocoa and cider station at 5809 Callister. Walk the route to vote for your favorite houses in holiday lights in 3 different categories. Santa will also be at the event[…]