Explore Sacramento, CA's, vibrant holiday festivities

Sacramento showcases its vibrant local culture through a variety of events and initiatives centered around community involvement and seasonal celebrations. The articles highlight Sacramento's holiday festivities, local volunteer opportunities, and cultural experiences.

Cal Expo hosts California’s largest holiday light show with its Imaginarium Festival. This seasonal display features ice kingdoms, interactive exhibits, and a Santa Claus meet-and-greet for families. The Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink opens for its 33rd season, welcoming skaters to Ali Youssefi Square. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Old Sacramento kicks off festivities with the Theatre of Lights performance. Sacramento’s ‘Shop 916’ program encourages local shopping by offering free gift cards to shoppers who support participating businesses.

Guests Evan de Bie and Hannah Mayfield, both of Sacramento, enjoy the Sunday Brunch at the Capitol Garage in 2010. By Jose Luis Villegas

NO. 1: SACRAMENTO HAS FREE $50 GIFT CARDS FOR SHOPPERS. HERE’S HOW TO GET ONE

‘Tis the season to shop locally. | Published November 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado

Joshua Tejada, 8, of Redding, plays in bubbles floating in the air near the candy cane display at the Imaginarium at the Cal Expo in Sacramento on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. This year’s “Light Up The Night” holiday light festival has more than 5 million lights across 15 acres. By Paul Kitagaki Jr.

NO. 2: CAL EXPO WELCOMES CALIFORNIA’S BIGGEST LIGHT SHOW WITH IMAGINARIUM FESTIVAL

California’s largest holiday light show returns to Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., bringing a sprawling seasonal display lit by millions of lights shining through the night. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marcus Smith

Families use skate aids to help the children circle the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink at Ali Youssefi Square at 7th and K streets on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. The rink, a city tradition since 1991, did not open last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets are $6 for kids 6 and under, $13 per skater during regular hours, and $15 per skater during holiday hours. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays through Jan. 16. By Sara Nevis

NO. 3: DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO ICE RINK OPENS 33RD SEASON. IT HELPS ‘SENSE OF COMMUNITY’

The Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink opened Thursday to skaters for its 33rd season. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Graham Womack

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NO. 4: UBER, VAIL RESORT PARTNERSHIP OFFERS RIDE-SHARE SERVICES TO TAHOE RESORTS

Uber announced a new service that will help ease travel constraints for winter sports enthusiasts and athletes alike. | Published November 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marcus Smith

The 60-foot-tall Old Sacramento Christmas tree glows after being lit for the first time this season on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. By JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS

NO. 5: CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN OLD SACRAMENTO

Marybelle Pe held her 3-year-old son, C.J., on her shoulders to give the boy a good view Wednesday evening as organizers flicked on the sparkling holiday lights of the 60-foot Christmas tree at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. | Published November 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rosalio Ahumada

Sacramento resident Sage For, 2, hugs LED penguins at the Imaginarium at the Cal Expo in Sacramento on Nov. 21, 2022. This year’s “Light Up The Night” holiday light festival has more than 5 million lights across 15 acres. By Paul Kitagaki Jr.

NO. 6: HAVE THE BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE SACRAMENTO AREA? GET FEATURED IN OUR GUIDE

Ready to impress this holiday season? | Published November 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado

Rosalyn Clark, president of the Elk Grove chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, helps with the meal distribution at South Sacramento Christian Center on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. By HECTOR AMEZCUA

NO. 7: SACRAMENTO, THE HELPING SEASON IS UPON US. ‘THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO DO’

At South Sacramento Christian Center on Stockton Boulevard the work is ongoing and so is the need. | Published November 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Darrell Smith

Skiers and riders kick off the 2025-26 season on Nov. 24, 2025 at Heavenly in Lake Tahoe.

NO. 8: SEE THE FUN SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENING ON 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Heavenly Mountain Resort kicked off the 2025-26 ski season Monday — its 70th year of offering skiing and riding in South Lake Tahoe. | Published November 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Caraccio

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.