Holiday Parades & Neighborhood Santa Parades in Sacramento 2025

Seeing Santa is one of the best holiday activities for families during the festive season. Yes, there are numerous free photos with Santa in Sacramento. But seeing Santa in a parade accompanied by flashing firetrucks and police vehicles as they convoy through your community adds a whole new level of holiday magic. Every single one of these events is free!

While this list includes traditional holiday parades in Sacramento, it mainly highlights neighborhood Santa parades and appearances. Many neighborhood Santa parades span several nights in different parks and communities. Folsom, Elk Grove, Natomas, and West Sacramento, to name a few, all have their own neighborhood Santa parades.

Kids will not only love seeing Santa so close to their homes atop firetrucks, but families get the chance to give back, as some local fire departments and police departments that accompany Santa usually collect food or toy donations for families in need. Parades may get cancelled in poor weather conditions. Check official event websites and social media for weather updates.

There are tons of events in Sacramento that will feature Santa! Check out the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar and discover the best holiday events in Sacramento for kids.

Looking for more free events? Check out this huge list of free holiday events in Sacramento for kids.

Neighborhood Santa Parades

1. Santa in Natomas

Santa will make several visits to community parks in Natomas during three December evenings in 2025. Expect Santa on a firetruck, a snow machine, caroling, and festive holiday spirit. This free holiday event is hosted by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes. Santa will stay for around 20 minutes at each park, offering photos with kids and joining in on caroling before proceeding to the next Natomas park. Santa will begin his route from local fire stations. You can follow @SantainNatomas on Instagram and Facebook for event updates.

Spectators are requested to remain on the sidewalks during the parade. Candy canes will be handed out. Visits and time spent with Santa will take place at the following parks. Each night of Santa in Natomas will take place from 5pm to 9pm.

2025 Santa in Natomas Dates & Schedules

Thursday, December 11, 2025 (Night 1 – Fire Station 43)

• 5:20pm – Atrium Court Apartments
• 5:42pm – Witter Ranch Park
• 6:08pm – Redtail Hawk Park
• 6:35pm – River View Park
• 7:05pm – Peregrine Park
• 7:40pm – Linden Park
• 8:05pm – Airfield Park

Friday, December 12, 2025 (Night 2 – Fire Station 18)

• 5:15pm – Garden Valley Elementary
• 6:05pm – Gardenland Park
• 6:33pm – Thelma Park
• 7:02pm – Northgate Park
• 7:31pm – Strauch Elementary
• 8:06pm – Chuckwagon Park
• 8:33pm- Parkbridge Park

Saturday, December 13, 2025 (Night 3 – Fire Station 15)

• 5:23PM – Manuel Barandas Park
• 5:51PM – Cove Park
• 6:19PM – Two Rivers Elementary
• 6:54PM – Bannon Creek Parkways (Barn)
• 7:19PM – Jefferson Park
• 7:47PM – Oakbrook Park

2. Santa in D1 — North Natomas

Not to be confused with Santa in Natomas, Santa in D1 is an entirely different series of events. However, the two events are similar in nature as Santa will be visiting neighborhoods and parks by firetruck in the North Natomas and Robla communities for four nights in December 2025. This event is hosted by Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan. Santa will make pit stops at local community parks for photos and holiday cheer. This event also has an Instagram you can follow for updates at @SantainD1.

For more holiday fun in North Natomas, the free D1 Winter Wonderland will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This is one of the best free holiday events in Sacramento for kids, and it will even have free ice skating!

2025 Santa in D1 (North Natomas) Dates & Schedules

Thursday, December 4, 2025 (Night 1)

• 5:45pm – Regency Park Elementary
• 6:20pm – Regency Community Park
• 6:40pm – Burberry Community Park
• 7pm – Heron School
• 7:35pm – Natomas Park Elementary

Saturday, December 6, 2025 (Night 2)

• 5:45pm – Kokomo Park
• 6:05pm – H. Allen Hight Elementary
• 6:40pm – Wild Rose Park
• 7pm – North Borough Park
• 7:20pm – Dogwood Park
• 7:40pm Rockmont Circle (Don’t forget that Rockmont Circle is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Sacramento!)

Thursday, December 11, 2025 (Night 3)

• 5:45pm – Glenwood Elementary
• 6:20pm – North Pointe Park
• 6:40pm – Valley View Acres
• 7pm – Cottonwood Park
• 7:20pm – N. Natomas Community Park
• 7:40pm – Meadows Park

Friday, December 12, 2025 (Night 4)

• 5:45pm – Quail Park
• 6:05pm – Swainson’s Hawk Park
• 6:25pm – Westlake Park
• 6:45pm – Magnolia Park
• 7:05pm – Northlake Community Park
• 7:25pm – Valley Oak Park

3. Santa Run — West Sacramento

There are many fun holiday activities in Yolo County, and one of those is the annual Santa Run. The West Sacramento Fire Department takes Santa on a decked-out firetruck sleigh through various West Sacramento neighborhoods. Candy canes are given to observers. A pickup truck follows Santa’s sleigh to collect canned food donations. In 2025, the Santa Run will take place for six nights. Each Santa Run begins at 6pm.

For the exact Santa Run routes and weather updates, check the West Sacramento live Santa tracker.

2025 Santa Run (West Sacramento) Dates & Neighborhoods

• Monday, December 8, 2025 – Old West Sacramento
• Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – North Business 80
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – Broderick and Bryte
• Thursday, December 11, 2025 – Southport South West
• Friday, December 12, 2025 – Southport North East
• Monday, December 15, 2025 – Southport West

4. Santa & Sirens — Elk Grove

The Cosumnes Fire Department and Elk Grove Police Department accompany Santa and his sleigh through Elk Grove neighborhoods each year for a few nights in December. These mini holiday neighborhood parades take place in different Elk Grove communities every year. Donations for unwrapped toys will also be collected along the parade route. View the 2025 parade routes here.

2025 Santa & Sirens (Elk Grove) Dates & Neighborhoods

• Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – East Elk Grove
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Central Elk Grove/Old Town
• Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Laguna

5. Santa’s Sleigh Rides — Folsom

Every year, Folsom neighborhoods enjoy the tradition of Santa’s sleigh parading through different communities with Santa and Mrs. Claus atop the sleigh. In 2025, the event will collect non-perishable donations for local food pantries along the parade routes. Santa’s sleigh will depart the Folsom Police Department at 4:30pm on each of the six festive nights. View the Folsom Santa Sleigh routes here.

2025 Santa’s Sleigh Routes & Dates (Folsom)

• Monday, December 1, 2025 – Folsom Ranch
• Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – Natoma Station, Cobble Ridge, & Steeplechase
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Briggs Ranch, The Parkway, & Willow Creek
• Monday, December 8, 2025 – Lexington Hills, Hillcrest, & Empire Ranch
• Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Los Cerros, Willow Springs, Prairie Oaks, & Broadstone
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – American River Canyon & Historic Folsom

6. Southside Santa Parade 2025 — South Sacramento

The Southside Santa Parade will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Santa will be parading through various South Sacramento parks and schools, where he’ll make stops to take free photos with families. There will also be a hot cocoa stand and Christmas carolers. The parade will kick off at McClatchy Park at 5pm. Southside Santa Parade details can be viewed here.

Southside Santa Parade 2025 Schedule

• 5-5:30pm – McClatchy Park
• 5:50-6:20pm – Ethel Phillips Elementary School
• 6:40-7:10pm – St. Robert School
• 7:30-8pm – Argonaut Park
• 8:20-8:50pm – Chorley Park

7. Neighborhood Santa — Roseville

Santa parades through various Roseville neighborhoods with the help of fire engines and police vehicles, escorting him through the community. Expect sirens and holiday music during the convoy. Onlookers will receive treats from Santa’s helpers. Parades begin at 6pm every night. Each route takes approximately one to one and a half hours, and the Roseville Neighborhood Santa will occur for six nights in 2025. Here’s a detailed map of Neighborhood Santa in Roseville parade routes.

2025 Neighborhood Santa (Roseville) Dates & Neighborhoods

• Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Blue Oaks & Maidu/South Cirby
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – Highland Reserve & Fiddyment Farm
• Thursday, December 11, 2025 – Woodcreek Oaks & Roseville Heights/Los Cerritos
• Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Foothills/Junction & Folsom Road/Cherry Glen
• Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Stoneridge & Cirby Side/Cirby Ranch
• Thursday, December 18, 2025 – Westpark & Historic Sierra Vista

8. Rockin’ Around North Highlands

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be spreading holiday cheer through North Highlands for two nights in December 2025. It will be a jolly good time with candy canes and a festive parade through various North Highlands neighborhoods. Parades begin at 6pm. View the North Highlands Recreation Park & District website for specific parade routes.

2025 Rockin’ Around North Highlands Dates & Neighborhoods

• Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Larchmont Park
• Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Memorial Park

9. Cameron Park Santa Parade

Families can enjoy Santa parading through Cameron Park neighborhoods with the Cameron Park Fire Department. In 2025, the Cameron Park Santa Parade will take place over three consecutive nights. Parades begin each night at 5pm and start from Station 89. Kids get to meet Santa at designated photo stops on the parade route. For specific parade routes each night, visit the Cameron Park Community Services District website.

2025 Cameron Park Santa Parade Dates

• Friday, December 19, 2025
• Saturday, December 20, 2025
• Sunday, December 21, 2025

10. Woodland Neighborhood Santa

A Neighborhood Santa parade takes place in Woodland in Yolo County. Woodland has quite a few holiday events and activities, including Santa at the Woodland Train Depot, and a brand-new drive-thru holiday lights experience called Woodland Wonderland of Lights. Woodland is also home to one of the handful of ice skating rinks near Sacramento. The Woodland Neighborhood Santa parade adds to the festive fun.

The parade will travel through various Woodland neighborhoods on three different December evenings in 2025 starting at 6pm. Parade routes can be seen on the City of Woodland website.

2025 Neighborhood Santa (Woodland) Dates

• Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Thursday, December 4, 2025

11. Santa Truck — Lodi

The Santa Truck in Lodi has been a long-standing tradition for the community. For several nights, the Santa Truck will parade through different Lodi neighborhoods with the Lodi Fire Department. Parade observers can expect to hear holiday music, see candy canes, and experience Christmas cheer. Canned goods will be collected along the parade routes for those in need.

Official parade routes for 2025 can be seen on the Lodi Fire Department Facebook page.

2025 Santa Truck (Lodi) Dates

• Monday, December 8, 2025
• Tuesday, December 9, 2025
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025
• Thursday, December 11, 2025
• Monday, December 15, 2025
• Tuesday, December 16, 2025
• Wednesday, December 17, 2025
• Thursday, December 18, 2025

Holiday Parades in Sacramento

If you’re looking for more traditional holiday parades in Sacramento, there are a handful happening in December. The Old Sacramento Lighted Boat Parade is a popular one to check out, and one of the best holiday activities in Sacramento.