Comedy, concerts, football and holiday lights lead a chilly but busy weekend
Cooler temperatures are settling into the Sacramento area, but winter weather isn’t slowing down weekend events.
From concerts and light shows to high-stakes football games, there’s plenty to check out across the region from Friday through Sunday.
The National Weather Service office in Sacramento forecasts dry skies, though morning fog may linger. Friday will be partly sunny with a high near 51 degrees. Calm winds and patchy fog are expected overnight, with lows around 42.
Saturday brings mostly sunny skies and a high near 57. The evening will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dipping to about 44 degrees. Sunday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with similar temperatures.
Here’s what to expect this weekend across Sacramento and surrounding communities:
Mike Epps at Hard Rock Sacramento
Comedian and actor Mike Epps will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Hard Rock Live, 3317 Forty Mile Road, in Wheatland.
Epps launched his career in 1994 with an appearance on Def Comedy Jam, later joining the tour. He is known for roles in “Next Friday,” “All About the Benjamins,” “The Hangover,” and the Netflix sitcom “The Upshaws.”
Tickets for Epps’ show start at $78.
The Doobie Brothers at The Venue
Legendary rock group The Doobie Brothers will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln.
Formed in San Jose in 1970, the band includes founding members Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, Michael McDonald and John McFee. Their hits include “What a Fool Believes,” “Long Train Runnin’” and “Listen to the Music.”
Tickets for the band’s Walk This Road Tour begin at $126, according to Ticketmaster.
UC Davis in the FCS Playoffs on ESPN2
The No. 8-seed UC Davis Aggies will face No. 9-seed Rhode Island in the second round of Saturday night’s FCS second-round playoffs matchup at 7 p.m. Saturday at UC Davis Health Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
UC Davis (8-3) had a first-round bye, while Rhode Island (10-2) enters on a seven-game win streak.
Tickets start at $15 for children ages 3 to 13 and $20 general admission.
Lighted Boat Parade at Sacramento Marina
The annual Lighted Boat Parade will cruise the Sacramento River from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, offering a festive light show along the waterfront.
Boats depart from the Sacramento Marina at Miller Park and pass the Old Sacramento waterfront before returning on a round-trip route.
The event is free to attend. Viewing spots include the Tower Bridge, nearby docks and riverside restaurants.
Brrr at The Barn
Dombresky, OMNOM, Shiba San, Ron Resser and Lord Kwong are set to perform Saturday at The Barn, 985 Riverfront St. in West Sacramento.
The event, billed as a “winter music experience,” is for ages 21 and older. Music begins at 4 p.m.
Tickets start at $46.14, after fees and taxes.
Other events and things to consider in Sacramento and surrounding areas:
CIF Northern California Regional Bowl Games include newly college commits such as Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons to BYU and teammate receiver Jameson Powell to Ole Miss. Check out where Folsom and other Sacramento area schools are competing in the CIF playoffs on Friday and through the weekend.
See Christmas lights in various neighborhoods by using California Christmas Lights, a blog site project to help families and communities locate holiday lights in various locations.
The Taylor Party is a Taylor Swift Dance Party at 8 p.m. Friday at Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. The event is for ages 18 and up. Tickets cost $42.
Illumination Holiday Festival in Elk Grove is a free, family-friendly event to kickoff the holiday season. The event is from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at District 56, 8230 Civic Center Drive. Parking is available in the Aquatics Center Lot at 9701 Big Horn Blvd. with additional off-site overflow parking in the Dignity Health Medical Plaza located at 8220 Wymark Drive.
Gwen Stefani, an American pop singer, is performing at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln. Stefani has hits including “Hollaback Girl,” “Rich Girl,” “Luxurious” and was featured on Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.” Tickets start at $226.
Larry Fleet, an American country music singer-songwriter, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. Fleet is known for songs including “Baby, You Do,” “Mix ’Em with Whiskey” and “Where I Find God.” Tickets begin at $48.
Danity Kane, a pop and R&B group known for songs like “Show Stopper” and “Damaged”, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. Tickets start at $48.
Explore other holiday fun and events happening in the Sacramento area, including Imaginarium at Cal Expo, Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento and ice skating in Downtown Sacramento which opens Sunday.