Holiday fun in Sacramento: Your guide to Imaginarium, Santa, ice skating and more
Celebrating the holidays in Sacramento? You don’t have to travel far to find seasonal cheer.
The Sacramento area is celebrating with lavish light displays, Santa Claus, ice skating and more.
Here are just a few of the fun, festive events in store in and around the City of Trees::
See holiday lights at Imaginarium returns
Advertised as “Northern California’s largest holiday light festival,” Imaginarium features more than 15 million lights and LED displays as well as a circus, an ice skating rink, carnival rides and chances to meet Santa Claus.
This year’s theme is “Utopia: A Perfect World of Light, Joy and Imagination.”
- Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento
- When: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, through Thursday, Jan. 4
- How much: $15 to $36, or $76 for four-person family pack. An adult general admission ticket is $19 and $15 for senior citizens, children ages 3 to 12 and military people, $15 ice rink, $30 unlimited carnival rides.
Experience the Theatre of Lights
Beautiful holiday lights and free, family-friendly performances are in store at Theatre of Lights at the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
The 20-minute performance features an immersive retelling of classic holiday poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” as well as stories of Sacramento pioneers.
- Where: 1002 Second St. in Sacramento
- When: Performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through Dec. 21. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24
- How much: Free
Holiday Magic at the Sacramento Zoo
Holiday Magic is coming back to the Sacramento Zoo.
You can watch animals “dig into some holiday enrichment,” snap free photos with Santa and enjoy some hot chocolate, the zoo said in an Instagram post.
- Where: 390 West Land Park Drive in Sacramento
- When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
- How much: $16.75, $16 seniors and active military, $12.75 children 2 to 11
Go holiday shopping in Sacramento
Looking to do a little holiday shopping? The Crocker Holiday Artisan Market is guaranteed to delight “art lovers of all ages,” organizers said.
The three-day bazaar features more than 100 vendors working in art forms ranging from glass, wood to ceramics and jewelry.
Take a break from bargain hunting with Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves from Pixie Tribe Entertainment, offering storytelling, face painting and balloon animals. Also in store are food trucks, coffee drinks and pastries.
- Where: Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H St. in Sacramento
- When: Noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 29; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. onSunday, Nov. 30.
- How much: $10
See Santa on parade
Gear up for the holidays at the 2025 Southside Santa Parade.
The free family-friendly parade winds through five South Sacramento neighborhoods. Attendees can also enjoy photos with Santa, Christmas carolers and a hot cocoa stand.
- Where: McClatchy Park, 3500 Fifth Ave. in Sacramento
- When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
- How much: Free
Downtown Sacramento will also host a Santa Parade featuring marching bands, clowns, horses and antique vehicles.
- Where: Capitol Park, 1300 L St. in Sacramento
- When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
- How much: Free
Go ice skating in downtown Sacramento
Lace on your skates at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink.
Just steps from Downtown Commons, the ice rink is the “perfect place to spend a winter day,” organizers said. Special events include crafting, Drag Queens on Ice and Silent Disco events.
Additionally, the Folsom Historic District Ice Rink has opened from now to Monday, Jan. 19 and people are encouraged to park at 905 Leidesdorff St. for easier access to the ice rink, according to the Historic Folsom website.
Downtown Roseville will open its ice rink from Sunday, Dec. 7 to Sunday Jan. 4 at 311 Vernon St.
- Where: Ali Youssefi Square, Seventh and K streets in Sacramento
- When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, through Monday, Jan. 19. Special hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- How much: $15, $8 for children 6 and under. Includes skate rental.
Wander the Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
Fairytale Town will transform into a Winter Wonderland with festive décor and a “dazzling display of lights,” organizers said.
Participants can visit Santa Claus, meet the Grinch, enjoy holiday-themed crafts and story times and participate in a holiday scavenger hunt. There’s also “nightly snowfall made possible through Santa’s magic,” according to the storybook park.
- Where: Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento
- When: 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14
- How much: $12 to $15 in advance, $18 at the gate. Kids under 2 get in free.
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
