Imaginarium, ice skating and more: Your guide to holiday fun in Sacramento
’Tis the season for holiday cheer.
Whether you’re a Sacramento resident or visiting family and friends in the capital region, there’s plenty of things to do and see this holiday season.
Here are just some of the fun, festive local events in store:
Marvel at the Imaginarium
Are you ready for the “largest holiday light show” in Sacramento?
The Imaginarium is celebrating a decade of holiday joy at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
In addition to five million lights, the event offers carnival rides, games, ice skating and a circus that performs three times per day.
Admission costs $24, or $19 for children, seniors and military veterans. Tickets are available for purchase on the Imaginarium website.
The Imaginarium is open through Jan. 5.
Go ice skating in Sacramento, Folsom
Ice skating is available at various locations this holiday season, giving you plenty of opportunities to glide around a winter wonderland.
You can lace up your skates at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, Ali Youssefi Square at Seventh and K streets near Golden 1 Center, through Jan. 20.
Special events include craft days, silent disco nights and donation drives.
The rink is open 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Tickets cost $15 and include rental skates. Admission is $8 for children age 6 and under.
There’s a new ice skating rink in south Sacramento organized by the Florin Road Partnership.
The Winter Fest ice rink is open to the public at 3860 Florin Road from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, until Jan. 11.
Tickets are $12, or $11 for children and seniors, and skate rentals are included.
At special DJ event on Fridays and Saturdays, the price increases to $15 or $12 for children and seniors. The rink is open until Jan. 11.
You can also visit the Folsom Historic District Ice Rink, open at the Historic Folsom Plaza through Jan. 20.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there are 90-minute sessions available at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
Sessions at 10 a.m., noon and 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. are available Thursday through Sunday.
Tickets are $22 for eventgoers 10 and older, or $18 for younger kids. Firepits with s’mores kits are available for $150 per session.
All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
See some Christmas lights
Grab a Thermos of hot chocolate and cruise through Sacramento-area neighborhoods decked out for the holidays.
You can find lavishly decorated homes in communities including Carmichael, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Natomas South Sacramento and, of course, East Sacramento’s Fabulous 40s area.
Need a guide to where all the best Christmas and holiday light displays are?
Check out this interactive map with must-visit locations throughout the Sacramento area.
Find holiday spirit at local bars
Want to warm up with a gingerbread martini or hot toddie?
Several Sacramento bars serve up drinks amid Christmas vibes and holly, jolly holiday decor. Some establishments even have outdoor decorations.
Here are some places in Sacramento to soak up some Christmas spirit:
The Butterscotch Den, 3406 Broadway
The Snug, 1800 15th St.
The Cabin, 1207 21st St.
Tiger Restaurant & Lounge, 722 K St.
Jets Midtown, 1226 20th St.
Trophy Club, 630 K St. (inside Downtown Commons Plaza)
Hang out in Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento has all the holiday vibes and old-town nostalgia that make for classic moments this season.
Here are some things to do in Old Sacramento:
This free holiday light show at the Old Sacramento waterfront features a live-action retelling of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” with special appearances from Jack Frost and Santa Claus.
Showtimes are 6 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. There will also be a 6 p.m. performance on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Head to K Street in Old Sacramento and sing along to live music every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The streets are filled with pop-up vendors and photo booths, and you can take holiday photos in front of the Christmas tree near Front Street.
Take pictures with Santa
Santa Claus wants to know if your child has been naughty or nice this year.
Here’s where you can take your kids to meet St. Nick and snap pictures with the Jolly Old Elf this holiday season:
Arden Fair
Snap pictures with Santa Claus at Arden Fair shopping center, 1689 Arden Way in Sacramento, until Tuesday, Dec. 24.
Santa’s Workshop is stationed on the lower level of the mall, near Coach.
Families can make reservations for pictures with Santa, although it is not required. Walk-ups are welcomed.
Photo packages start at about $40. Those who make reservations in advance can receive up to two free gifts.
Santa’s hours coincide with the mall’s open hours — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — but photo times are subject to change as Santa takes breaks.
Westfield Galleria at Roseville
Westfield Galleria at Roseville invites you to take photos with Santa Claus through Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus will be on the first floor of the Roseville mall in the center court near JCPenney.
The shopping center is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. most days, with closing time at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
On Monday, Dec. 23, Westfield Galleria will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ride a magical Christmas train
Step aboard River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train ride in West Sacramento and embark on a journey through a winter wonderland.
Meet up for boarding at 18095 County Road 117 off of Old River Road.
In addition to a train ride, holiday carols and a visit from Santa Claus, the event includes hot cocoa, a souvenir mug and a cookie.
Tickets range from $64.75 to $96.12 depending on whether you want to ride one or two hours, and can be purchased online.
Rides run through Saturday, Jan. 4, with times and ticket availability varying by day.
Celebrate Kwanzaa
This week-long Kwanzaa spans different locations across the Sacramento area.
There’s a “California Grown” Pan African Holiday Kickoff event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, at the California State Capitol Rose Garden Pavillion.
Later that day is the Sacramento Umoja Celebration at Abyssinia Restaurant, 1346 Fulton Ave. in Sacramento, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Head to the Folsom Historic District for the 1849-1850 California Gold Rush Tour, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Leidesdorff Plaza, 915 Sutter St. in Folsom.
Wrapping up the festivities is the Kwanzaa Food and Ag Expo at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St. in Folsom, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29.
Admission is free to all events. Register online.
This story was originally published December 7, 2024 at 9:29 AM.