Best Holiday Activities in Sacramento for Families (2025 Guide)
After Thanksgiving, the holiday cheer starts spreading throughout Sacramento. Families can enjoy their favorite Sacramento holiday traditions while discovering new ones. There’s Theatre of Lights, the Polar Express train ride, the Nutcracker, and impressive Christmas light displays that will awe kids of all ages, to name a few things.
While these are the best holiday activities in Sacramento, there are plenty more seasonal events to discover, from free holiday events in Sacramento for kids to holiday train rides near Sacramento. Enjoy the many festive experiences that make the holiday season a magical one in Sacramento.
Check out the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar for holiday season events in Sacramento for kids.
Christmas Light Displays in Sacramento
1. Fab 40s — East Sacramento
Ask anyone in Sacramento where to see Christmas lights, and they’ll tell you the Fab 40s. This East Sacramento neighborhood is probably the most popular in Sacramento for Christmas lights. The beautiful historic homes get into the holiday spirit with twinkling lights and lots of holiday spirit.
2. Dovewood Court — Orangevale
This cul-de-sac in Orangevale goes all out every December. The houses on this court have impressive Christmas light displays for all to see. You can drive or walk along Dovewood Court to see the lights.
3. Darvel Court — Folsom
If you’ve heard of the neighborhood that has VW Beetles with Christmas lights, it’s Darvel Court in Folsom. Each year, they set up impressive light displays for the Sacramento community to see. However, the Volkswagens aren’t there every night. They also have Santa appearances and a coffee vendor on select nights in December.
4. Rockmont Circle — Natomas
Rockmont Circle brings festive spirit to Natomas each year. Hundreds of houses string up lights to bring holiday cheer to the Sacramento area.
Sacramento Holiday Events
There are tons of holiday events in Sacramento for families to enjoy beginning in late November and all through December. These are mostly annual holiday events that Sacramento families treasure, but there are plenty more! Plus, don’t forget to check out free holiday events in Sacramento for families.
5. Theatre of Lights — Old Sacramento
It’s not the holiday season in Sacramento without Theatre of Lights. Everyone flocks to Old Sacramento each holiday season for the 20-minute free performance of a dramatic retelling of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The balconies above K Street light up in color and sound for this favorite holiday tradition of so many families in Sacramento.
6. Wild Nights and Holiday Lights — Folsom
Every holiday season, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary gets a holiday makeover. Volunteers deck out the zoo with sparkling holiday lights, which families can enjoy for several weekends in December. It’s a treat to see some of the nocturnal animals during this nighttime event. On the same nights, the Folsom Valley Railway also takes passengers through holiday light displays, making it one of the must-do holiday train rides in Sacramento.
7. Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town — Land Park
Younger kids can enjoy festive activities during Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town. Kids get to meet Santa and the Grinch and enjoy hands-on holiday activities and story times. A highlight not to miss is the nightly snowfall.
8. Old Fashioned Christmas — Elk Grove
A favorite holiday tradition for families in Elk Grove is the Elk Grove Historical Society’s Old-Fashioned Christmas. The grounds are decked out in holiday decor and lights, making it easy to get into the holiday spirit. Santa is at the event, and there are activities for families, including ornament making and cookie decorating.
9. Woodland Wonderland of Lights — Yolo County
Head to Yolo County for an all-new holiday experience starting in 2025. Woodland Wonderland of Lights is a new two-mile holiday lights drive-thru on the Yolo County Fairgrounds.
10. Imaginarium: Utopia — Cal Expo
Imaginarium lights up Cal Expo with millions of holiday lights in Sacramento. Walk through the stunning displays, see a circus performance, and go ice skating.
Holiday Train Rides in Sacramento
Families can board a wide range of holiday train rides in Sacramento. Choose from holiday trains to Santa trains, evening train rides, and daytime trains.
11. The Polar Express — Old Sacramento
The Polar Express train ride at the California State Railroad Museum is a favorite holiday tradition of families in Sacramento. It sells out very quickly each year. The train ride brings the classic children’s book, The Polar Express to life, along the rails in Old Sacramento.
12. Magical Christmas Train — West Sacramento
The Sacramento River Fox Train has a festive Magical Christmas train in West Sacramento. This year, the train has a new Santa’s village experience with photo ops, festive entertainment, and treats for families to enjoy.
13. Santa Train — Rancho Cordova
A holiday train ride in Sacramento that you might not have heard of is the Santa Train with the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers. It’s an affordable daytime train that families sit on. The Santa Train takes passengers to meet Santa for photo ops. The train ride is in Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova.
Free Holiday Parades in Sacramento
These Christmas parades march around Sacramento, spreading holiday cheer to various communities and neighborhoods.
14. Lighted Boat Parade — Old Sacramento
Each year, the Capital City Yacht Club does a lighted boat parade. Boats get strung with holiday lights and parade up and down the Sacramento River near the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
15. West Sacramento Fire Department “Santa Run” — West Sacramento
Kids of all ages look forward to the Santa Run in West Sacramento every year. This annual tradition has the West Sacramento Fire Department help escort Santa on a decked-out fire truck “sleigh” through various West Sacramento neighborhoods. Santa gives out candy canes and spreads holiday cheer.
16. Santa & Sirens — Elk Grove
The Cosumnes Fire Department and Elk Grove Police Department escort Santa through various Elk Grove neighborhoods on a few different nights each December. It’s a small parade of emergency vehicles escorting Santa with sirens and lights.
17. Sacramento Santa Parade — Midtown Sacramento
The annual Sacramento Santa Parade circles Capitol Park during the holiday season. There are horses, clowns, bands, cars, and of course, Santa.
Top Holiday Shows in Sacramento for Families
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of December to sit down for a few hours to enjoy a holiday show in the Sacramento area.
18. Nutcracker — Midtown Sacramento
The Sacramento Ballet performs the holiday classic of the Nutcracker for select dates during the month of December. Generations of families continue to enjoy this timeless show.
19. Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland — Folsom
For a holiday show with thrills that will entertain kids of all ages, check out Cirque Music Holiday Wonderland in Folsom. Think the circus in a winter wonderland setting with acrobatics and stunts. The show performs for only one day this year on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
20. ‘Tis The Season: Hometown Holidays, Traditions of Sacramento & Northern California — Midtown Sacramento
The B Street Theatre has a specific family series each year, and within that, there is always a holiday show. In 2025, the holiday show is ‘Tis The Season: Hometown Holidays, Traditions of Sacramento & Northern California. The show will celebrate holiday traditions in the Sacramento area, such as the Fab 40s, in a comedic and charming style. The B Street Theatre family shows are for ages 5+.
More Holiday Activities in the Sacramento Area
Add these must-do holiday activities to your Sacramento holiday bucket list for more festive fun.
21. Ice Skating
There are many opportunities to lace up skates and glide around the Sacramento Area during the holiday season. Some of the more popular ice skating rinks in Sacramento include Downtown Sacramento and Historic Folsom. Roseville will debut an ice skating rink in 2025, and the Woodland ice skating rink is one of the best holiday activities in Yolo County.
22. Christmas Tree Farms
Picking out a real Christmas tree is a sacred tradition for tons of families, especially in a city like Sacramento, surrounded by farms. Families have a wide range of choices when it comes to Christmas tree farms in the Sacramento Area. Various Christmas tree lots are in Sacramento, and there is a wide range of options in Yolo County and Apple Hill.
23. Live Nativity — Rancho Cordova
The Live Nativity in Rancho Cordova occurs for one weekend in December. Many Sacramento families make this event part of their annual holiday traditions. It’s one of the free holiday events in Sacramento. Visitors will embark on a 15-minute outdoor walking journey to see live nativity scenes.
24. Hot Chocolate at Ginger Elizabeth — Midtown Sacramento & Folsom
It’s not the holiday season without a hot chocolate from Ginger Elizabeth. One time, it was a particularly warm December day when I got my annual treat, and their iced hot chocolate was just as good as their hot one. Ginger Elizabeth recently opened a second location in Folsom.
Here’s a tip: Grab some hot chocolate before heading over to Wild Nights & Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary or on your way to see Christmas lights at Darvel Court. Sip the delicious Ginger Elizabeth hot cocoa while enjoying a holiday light spectacle in Folsom.
25. Winter Wonderland Mini Golf — Roseville
Roseville Golfland Sunsplash has one of the best mini golf courses in the Sacramento area. The course gets a holiday facelift starting Thanksgiving evening. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do during Thanksgiving Break with kids in Sacramento. Expect holiday lights on the mini golf course and a synchronized light show to holiday music.
26. Christkindlmarkt — East Sacramento
Sacramento doesn’t have an outdoor German Christmas market, so the annual Christkindlmarkt at Sacramento Turn Verein is the closest we’ll get. However, it is indoors versus outdoors. Expect vendors, mulled wine, traditional German food, and appearances from Santa Claus.
Day Trips from Sacramento for Holiday Fun
While there are tons of ways to celebrate the holiday season in Sacramento, there are many nearby cities that also go all out for the holidays if you feel like venturing for a day trip.
27. San Francisco
San Francisco knows how to get into the holiday spirit, and it’s an easy day trip from Sacramento. Several San Francisco hotels glisten with holiday displays, including the famous two-story gingerbread house inside the Fairmont Hotel. Even some of the cable cars get festive decorations. Union Square is always a popular spot for holiday festivities in San Francisco, from its annual ice skating rink to its signature Winter Walk. Everywhere you turn, there are fun ways for families to celebrate the holidays in San Francisco.
28. San Jose
San Jose is a holiday mecca. Christmas in the Park draws huge crowds each December, especially to get the snowman hot chocolate. Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive are also a fun holiday event for kids in the Bay Area. Nearby Palo Alto has the annual Après Village Winter Wonderland. Palo Alto also happens to be home to some of the best Christmas light displays in the Bay Area, including Waverley Street and Christmas Tree Lane on Fulton Street.
29. Nevada City Victorian Christmas
At just a little over an hour away from Sacramento, families can take a day trip to Nevada City for their annual Victorian Christmas. Families can stroll this beloved Christmas market to try roasted chestnuts, find Father Christmas, spot the famous walking tree and & toy soldier, visit with Santa, and peruse along the Victorian streets while browsing artisanal vendors.
Victorian Christmas in Nevada City takes place on the following days and times in 2025:
- Sundays – Dec 7, 14, & 21, 2025, 1:30–6pm
- Wednesdays – Dec 10 & 17, 2025, 5–9pm
30. Santa Rosa
Go ice skating in a real-life Peanuts’ scene at Snoopy’s Home Ice Rink in Santa Rosa. The ice rink also has its signature cocoa at The Warm Puppy Cafe. The cozy vibes of sipping cocoa at the cafe next to a fireplace while viewing the ice rink will give you all the winter feels. Top off your visit with the free Northern Lights walk-through experience at the Luther Burbank Center Sculpture Garden. Nearby, the Sonoma Botanical Garden will also have a holiday lights experience called Gardens Aglow.
Want to make it an overnight trip to Santa Rosa? The Art House Hotel in downtown Santa Rosa make an ideal home base in Sonoma County.
31. Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
In my opinion, the Oakland Zoo is the best in Northern California, and maybe the second-best one in California after the San Diego Zoo. It’s the California Trail, gondola, children’s zoo, and multiple play areas that set it apart. That’s not even accounting for the wide range of animals you get to see. During the holiday season and even into the new year, Glowfari takes over the Oakland Zoo at night. Glowing animal lanterns come to life, telling stories of the Oakland Zoo’s commitment to animal conservation.
A ticket to Glowfari does not include visiting the Oakland Zoo during the day. The Oakland Zoo is about an hour and a half drive from Sacramento.
