Where are best holiday lights in Sacramento area? Check out these festive spots
Looking for dazzling decoratings this holiday season?
The Sacramento Bee has put together a guide to the best holiday lights in the Sacramento area, based on past submissions from readers and previous Bee coverage:
The Bee’s guide includes classic destinations such as the Fab Forties in Sacramento as well as private homes whose owners want to bring cheer to locals.
Here’s where to go:
Curtis Park
- Where: 3063 Donner Way in Sacramento
- When: 5 to 10 p.m. daily
Around 20,000 lights dazzle along with many handmade figurines and structures including Santa’s workshop and a nativity display, the home’s owners told The Bee.
There’s even a playhouse that’s been transformed into a gingerbread house, with the owner’s family represented as gingerbread people.
The display is “tasteful yet intense” according to the owners.
New attractions this year include a mailbox for Santa’s letters and a photo-op for visitors who want to take “elfies.”
Durfee Way
- Where: 7350 Durfee Way in Sacramento
- When: 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily
With about 2.5 miles of lights along the Pocket Canal Parkway, this stretch of land is filled with holiday spirit.
There’s also a living Christmas tree at Portuguese Park.
Tioga Way
- Where: 2901 Tioga Way in Sacramento
- When: 5 to 11 p.m. daily
This year’s display features little village of stories — some sacred, some silly, all joyful — stitched together.
Highlights include wreaths on upstairs windows, a Christmas tree traced along the roofline, a garland-wrapped porch and a peaceful nativity scene.
On the lawn, Santa’s sleigh is parked beside the Macy’s mailbox, waiting for letters to the big guy. Nearby, Snoopy and Woodstock perch among wrapped presents, a cheerful nod to cozy Christmases, while a happy snowman stands watch over it all.
“The best part is watching families pause, roll down their windows, and point out their favorites,” the home’s owners told The Bee. “Every wave and smile makes the hours worth it.”
South Avenue
- Where: 2032 South Avenue in Sacramento
- When: Sunset to sunrise daily
The Landry family’s “truly grand spectacle of light” features more than 27,000 brilliant lights.
Guests can explore a walk-through archway and stand beside a striking, seven-foot-tall illuminated cross.
Elk Grove
- Where: 8486 Mainstay Court in Elk Grove
- When: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
More than 80,000 lights, penguins and reindeer are featured in the Groza family’s colorful holiday display, which features elements that dance to the music.
The lights are synchronized to 25 songs that provide approximately 1.5 hours of entertainment.
Most Fridays and Saturdays the family passes out candy canes upon request.
If you’re watching the show from the comfort of your car, tune your radio to 107.9 FM. The sound is also broadcast on stereo speakers.
Fab Forties Christmas Lights
- Where: 40th to 49th streets, between J Street and Folsom Boulevard in Sacramento
- When: Sunset until midnight nightly
Sacramento’s Fab Forties houses have been a local highlight for years due to their historical significance and architectural designs, according to the Visit Sacramento website.
During the holiday season, houses in the area are decorated with dazzling lights and displays.
Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Tree
- Where: 1014 Second St, No. 200, in Sacramento
- When: Sunset to midnight nightly
Beautiful holiday lights are in store for visitors of Old Sacramento during the holiday season.
Visitors to the waterfront area can enjoy free Theatre of Lights performances on select nights, featuring an immersive retelling of classic holiday poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” as well as stories of Sacramento pioneers.
The Pocket
- Where: 6558 Benham Way and 7296 Riverwind Way in Sacramento
- When: Sunset to midnight nightly
Witness a 73-foot redwood tree bedazzled with more than 10,000 lights as well as wall-to-wall inflatables.
Natomas Park
- Where: Java Court and Rockmount Circle in Sacramento
- When: Sunset to midnight nightly
Houses in the community are showing off their holiday cheer with decorations and lights strung along sidewalks.
