Christmas in Sacramento – A Complete Holiday Guide for Families

Getting into the Christmas spirit in California isn’t as hard as you might think. Forget any stereotypes of Santa making his rounds on a surfboard or palm trees decked out in twinkly lights as a poor substitute for firs—here in Sacramento, the holiday season really can be a magical time of year for families.
Not only do we have cold and wintery weather in this area of Northern California, but the city collectively makes a lot of effort to be festive with lights, decorations, and activities to help you get in the holiday spirit.
Here are a few of my favorite holiday activities for families in and around Sacramento.


Holiday Train Rides with River Fox Train and California Railroad Museum
What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a festive train ride on a vintage train? River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train is a one-hour train ride featuring Santa’s elves who guide passengers through holiday sing-a-longs and games. Children have the chance to write a letter to Santa and even meet him in person.
The California Railroad Museum also offers The Polar Express train ride during the holiday season, which includes admission to the Central Pacific Passenger Station. After picking up your golden ticket, you can shop in the holiday store and meet Santa. On board the train, you’ll listen to the story of The Polar Express while enjoying hot chocolate and a special treat.
Pajamas are encouraged for both experiences to get everyone feeling extra cozy.


Makers Mart
Inside the rustic-chic Crate Building at The Mill on Broadway, you can explore booths filled with goods from over 70+ local artisans at Makers Mart. The ambiance is festive with twinkle lights, stunning floral installations, and baristas serving fancy boozy drinks.


Cutting Down a Christmas Tree in Apple Hill
I grew up in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay, California, where there are a ton of Christmas tree farms where you can cut down your own tree. Now with my own little family we continue the tradition in Apple Hill. In the autumn season you might know Apple Hill as the go-to destination for apple picking and all things fall related, but in the winter it turns into a holiday haven with tree farms and bakeries. Santa would totally approve!




Watching The Nutcracker at Sacramento Ballet
One of the most classic (and classy) ways to celebrate the Christmas season is with The Nutcracker. Appreciate the timeless art of ballet while listening to some treasured tunes—my personal favorite is “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” We were very impressed with the quality of the production, it was beautifully choreographed, and the dancers are extremely talented. See the full Sacramento Ballet schedule and purchase tickets here.

Shop Small Business Saturday in East Sacramento
If you’re looking to support neighborhood businesses while doing your holiday shopping this year, be sure to check out all the shops participating in SHOP East Sac. Many of them offer special discounts during the holiday season. If your feet are weary and your arms are tired from carrying all those heavy bags, get a ticket for the Shop ‘Til You Drop party bus which will shuttle you to participating stores and get you into the holiday spirit with champagne and a swag bag from local merchants.


Illumination Holiday Festival
The City of Elk Grove partners with River City Marketplace for the annual Illumination Holiday Festival, where you can stroll through the Vendor Village and browse the holiday-themed and unique gifts. Kids have plenty to keep them entertained with an ice rink, holiday carnival games, and an inflatable zone. And if you get hungry, there are several food trucks where you’ll find tasty treats.
The Holiday of Light Parade takes place in early December and it’s followed by the lighting of the city’s Ribbon Tree—a perfect way to kick off the holiday season with a little sparkle.



DOCO (Downtown Commons) Center
Enjoy a walk through DOCO’s outdoor shopping center, located in the heart of downtown. During the holiday season you’ll find festive lights, ice skating, and Christmas trees making the season bright. In early December, stop by for a full day of festivities, including selfies with Santa, cookie decorating, and drone light shows. There’s plenty of shopping and dining options to keep you busy, and you could even stop into Revival at the Sawyer Hotel for some fancy cocktails around the warm fire pits.


Shop Local Artists at The River City Marketplace
If you’re already in DOCO for the lights, make sure you check out the Holiday Maker’s Fair at the River City Marketplace in December where you can shop goods and food made from local artisans and small businesses. They specialize in creating the most memorable experiences by finding the best venues and injecting a lot of style and atmosphere into their gatherings. The calendar of events on their website for November and December gets filled with holiday-themed workshops and happenings. Some of my favorites are the Uptown Market on the Boulevard plus the creative workshops for making wreaths, garlands, and inspirational holiday tablescapes.


Ice Skating
We might not get snow on a regular basis (or ever!), but there are several places around the Sacramento area that offer seasonal ice skating around the holidays:
- Downtown Ice Rink – right across the street from DOCO on K St. (This post has more information on logistics like where to park and how to make a whole night out of your visit to the ice rink.)
- Iceland in Del Paso, Sacramento
- Skatetown in Roseville
- Folsom Ice Rink


Disney on Ice at Golden 1 Center
Embark on a frosty, fairy-tale adventure with your little ones. Disney on Ice is a magical experience held at Golden 1 Center in the heart of downtown Sacramento. The show brings beloved Disney characters to life on the ice rink, captivating audiences of all ages. Be sure to check out our guide to help you make the most out of your visit.


Old Town Giant Christmas Tree
If you’re into nostalgia and old-timey Christmas vibes, Old Sacramento does it up gold-rush style with a giant Christmas tree. In 2024 the tree was 60 feet tall and decorated with over 24,000 lights. The entire area of Old Town Sacramento is filled with shops and restaurants, many decorated for the holiday season, so spending an evening here can really get you feeling festive.


State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting
The governor of California annually hosts a tree lighting ceremony on the west steps of the State Capitol Building. The event is open to the public with musical performances and a speech from the governor himself.


Imaginarium at Cal Expo
The Imaginarium carnival of lights at Cal Expo adds a bit of magic to the holiday season for both kids and adults. Along with the epic light installations, you can also enjoy carnival rides, ice skating, acrobat shows, and all kinds of food options. Check out this post for photos and tips from one of our visits.


Fabulous 40’s Christmas Lights in East Sacramento
In every city there’s that one neighborhood that goes above and beyond with the Christmas lights and decor. If you’ve ever seen the movie Lady Bird then you’re familiar with the famous “blue house” featured in the film. This house is located in the heart of the neighborhood dubbed “the Fab 40s” (because they are located on the streets numbered in the 40’s and they are totally fabulous mansions).
The best place to start a walking (or driving) tour is anywhere between 40th to 49th, between J St and Folsom Blvd. Bundle up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy. During the month of December, the Fab 40s have horse-drawn carriages that you can ride through the neighborhood and see all the Christmas lights.
P.S. This is also the best place to go trick-or-treating during Halloween!


Plan a Snowy White Christmas in Lake Tahoe
While our weather does get chilly in the winter in Sacramento, it’s hardly ever cold enough for snow. Tahoe is one of the few places in California where you can experience a true white Christmas, and it’s pretty magical! The mountains are covered in pine tree forests and the houses are cute wooden log cabins. Just over a two-hour drive from Sacramento, you can escape into a winter wonderland. See my full guide to a white Christmas in South Lake Tahoe.


Sutter Creek Dickens Christmas
Sutter Creek is a tiny gold rush town about an hour outside of Sacramento. The town center has been preserved to look just the same as it did in the 1800’s, with the main strip looking just like a scene from a western film.
The little town of Sutter Creek goes big for Christmas with the Parade of Lights, a Craft Fair, and an annual Dickens inspired Victorian Christmas Open House. Festivities always begin the first weekend of December, but be sure to check their website before heading out. You can also check the Sutter Creek Parade of Lights Facebook Page for more info on events.


Crocker Holiday Artisan Market
Every year at the Scottish Rite Center (located at 6151 H St, which is not actually at the Crocker Museum), the Crocker organization hosts a 3-day holiday bazaar. This family-friendly event has booths filled with work from over 100 local artists, which are available to purchase. Proceeds from the event go towards the museum and other art-related causes. Your kiddos will get the chance to meet Santa, too!


Christkindlmarkt
If you’re craving a traditional European Christmas market (but not up for the international airfare), check out Christkindlmarkt at the Turn Verein German Club. Their annual Christmas fair and market takes place outside their East Sacramento location on J St. You’ll find around 28 vendors selling locally made goods, traditional German baked Christmas treats, mulled wine, and an opportunity to meet Santa Claus.

Holiday-Themed Sweet Treats
It doesn’t feel like the holidays until you eat some of your favorite seasonal treats. I’d recommend stopping by Gunther’s Ice Cream for freshly made eggnog and eggnog ice cream, Vic’s Ice Cream for hot chocolate and seasonal ice cream flavors like peppermint bark, and Leatherby’s for a Frozen Cocoa Shake.

Holiday Events at Drake’s The Barn
Come out and support over 75 local artists, makers, and small businesses at this modern hip venue, which tends to go all out with the Christmas décor and seasonal cocktails. Enjoy booze, beer on tap, and food trucks serving hipster-approved eats. Admission is free and it’s kiddo and dog friendly!
They also host concerts and live DJ sets during the holiday season, including BRRR at The Barn, holiday-themed drag brunch, and a super fun New Year’s Eve party. Check out their Instagram for their latest event updates.

Nevada City Victorian Christmas
Yet another gold rush town filled with holiday spirit and cheer! Located an hour outside of Sacramento, Nevada City (despite the name, it’s still located inside the limits of California!) hosts a large Victorian themed Christmas extravaganza. Events include horse-drawn carriage rides, the chance to meet Santa, shop handcrafted goods and foods and watch musical performances.

Dovewood Court Christmas Lights
If you love to see the creativity and care that people put into decorating their homes for the holidays, make sure you plan an evening visit to Dovewood Court in Orangevale starting around mid-December every year. You can either drive through the neighborhood or park at a church nearby (bring some cash or canned food to donate) and walk through to take it all in.


Pick up a Holiday Pie from Rick’s Dessert Diner
Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or want to bring something special to someone else’s gathering, it’s worth putting in an order for a seasonal holiday pie (or one of their classic flavors like old-fashioned apple or pecan chocolate) from Rick’s Dessert Diner. For a little extra, they’ll even bake it in a glass dish so no one will suspect you didn’t make it yourself!

12 Days of Midtown
To really get into the Christmas spirit, consider stopping by one (or more!) of the 12 Days of Midtown, a 12-day celebration held across Sacramento’s Midtown district. Each day is designed to showcase a different local business, from Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and the State Indian Museum on Museum Store Sunday to the Midtown Farmers Market where you can pick up locally handcrafted artisan gifts.


Photos with Santa at Arden Fair
Finally, if you’ve somehow missed Santa at all of his previous stops in Sacramento, plan a visit to the Arden Fair shopping mall, where your kids can meet Santa and you can snap those perfect photos for your holiday cards. Check out Arden Fair’s events page for specific dates and times to plan your visit.
You’ve now got plenty of ideas to plan a festive and fun holiday season in Sacramento with your family—which activities are you most excited about?

