The holidays are the most magical time of the year! And Sacramento is one of the best places where you can easily find holiday events and see lights displays to get into the Christmas spirit. The festive lights throughout the region are a testament to how much everyone, kids and adults alike, treasure the Christmas season’s sparkle. When the sun goes down, it’s time to visit the most dazzling holiday and Christmas lights displays in Sacramento!
Witness how Sacramento transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas and holiday lights blazing everywhere in the region. From walk-through spectacles to long drive-through glittering displays, these Christmas lights events in Sacramento offer memorable holiday experiences for the whole family. Homes and commercial establishments lavishly deck their halls, trees, and exteriors with lights, creating enormous exhibits that draw crowds year after year. Along with holiday lights, many also offer food, music, entertainment, and a visit with Santa himself.
Are you planning to take your kids to a perfect holiday lights family outing? Check out our list of the best places to see holiday and Christmas lights displays in Sacramento! Pile up your kids in the car, and make sure you open your eyes and hearts to the wonder of this magical adventure. The colorful spectacles on our list will bring you lots of joy and holiday cheer.
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone Number: (916) 250-3007
November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Sunday – Thursday | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday | 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
If you haven’t already, this is the year to explore Imaginarium at Cal Expo. In 2024, Imaginarium celebrates a decade of holiday lights and events at Cal Expo in Sacramento this Christmas season. Returning features include Millions of Lights, Storybook characters & Fantastical Creatures, Eclectic Photo Boxes, Infinity Mirror Rooms, New Entertainment, Carnival Rides & Games and Ice Skating* (additional fees required), and Holiday Characters and Pictures with Santa.
Imaginarium at Cal Expo is the largest holiday light show in Northern California. While it’s already part of so many families’ holiday traditions, they still welcome new guests every year. “Holiday Magic” opens on November 22nd with all the things you know and love about Imaginarium, but also with some additional twists.
Use Promo Code SAC4KIDS for a 10% discount.
Piazza at Palladio
350 Palladio Pkwy., Folsom, CA 95630
Phone Number: (916) 542-7408
November 23, 2024
Saturday | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join one of the best holiday lights events in Sacramento — the annual Palladio Tree Lighting. There will be yummy refreshments available provided by Barnes & Noble Kitchen and fun local performances. Santa and friends will also be joining for some Holiday fun.
Old Sacramento Waterfront
1014 2nd St., Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone Number: (916) 442-8575
November 27 – December 24, 2024
Friday – Saturday | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Theatre of Lights is a free, family-friendly performance retelling “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a uniquely Sacramento way on the rooftops of the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Produced by Downtown Sacramento Partnership, the shows are Fridays and Saturdays starting Thanksgiving Eve (no show on Thanksgiving), with two irregular show dates occurring on Monday, December 23rd, and Tuesday, December 24th.
Conceived and created by Stage Nine Exhibitions’ Troy Carlson, Theatre of Lights brings together some of California’s finest talents in the field of light and sound: 4Wall Productions, Musson Theatrical, Associated Sound, and Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy.
Village Green Park
3141 Bridgeway Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone Number: (916) 273-5701
December 1, 2024
Sunday | 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The annual lighting of the Cordova Community Christmas Tree is a public event inspiring community unity, showcasing Rancho Cordova community life, promoting local business, and providing a community branding experience. This vibrant holiday celebration is a happy collaboration of numerous Rancho Cordova organizations, faith communities, and performers who give our celebration a true community appeal.
This is one of the Sacramento Christmas Lights holiday events powered completely by volunteers from local civic associations and churches, led by the Cordova Community Council and an active planning group. Food trucks, fireworks, snow, and Santa make it a party. Event admission is free to the public. Attendance has exploded to more than 5,000 in what has become a leading community event.
Arden Park
1000 La Sierra Dr., Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone Number: (916) 624-2548
December 6, 2024
Friday | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Come and join the 11th annual Holiday in the Park. Santa will use his Christmas magic to light up the 17-foot tree and the community center for the holidays. Local music and talent groups will take the stage and help celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season. Pictures with Santa will be available after the tree lighting, and hot chocolate and crafts for kids.
This year’s sponsors are Tim Comstock Realtor, Arden Park Neighborhood Association, Melissa Shrout & Bernadette Augustine with Augustine & Associates, Dana Gray & The Gray Group, Arden Park Optometry, and their partner Mariemont Elementary!
District56
8230 Civic Center Dr., Elk Grove, CA, 95757
Phone Number: (916) 250-3007
December 7, 2024
Saturday | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Get ready to light up the night at Elk Grove’s Annual Parade of Lights at the Illumination Festival! Bring the family and watch the dazzling holiday floats roll down the streets, spreading cheer and sparkling spirit all along the way. Grab a cozy spot, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy the magic of the season right in the heart of Elk Grove.
The Illumination Festival promises an evening of free, family-friendly fun, offering something delightful for everyone. Explore a tapestry of global holiday traditions, shop for gifts, step into a whimsical snow globe for a perfect holiday photo, jump in bounce houses, go ice skating, and witness the grand tree lighting ceremony that ushers in the official start of the holiday season.
Quarry Park
4000 Rocklin Rd., Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone Number: (916) 624-2548
December 7, 2024
Saturday | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join the community for its 17th annual Rocklin Tree Lighting Festival at beautiful Quarry Park. Come gather and enjoy a holiday market to support local crafters and artisans, tasty food trucks, live entertainment with local artists and troupes, a visit with Santa, and more. They will be collecting socks in their giant stocking. Socks for men, women, teens, and children are greatly appreciated!
This year’s Christmas Tree Lights event in this part of the Sacramento area will be hosted by the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce. This is a holiday hometown favorite you don’t want to miss. Admission is free for everyone. The tree lighting will be at 7 pm.
EDH Town Center
2085 Vine St., El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone Number: (916) 933-6699
December 7, 2024
Saturday | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The El Dorado Hills Town Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will illuminate the night on Saturday, December 7, 2024 bringing families, friends, and neighbors together to kick off the holiday season. This cherished annual tradition features festive performances by the Holy Trinity Choir and the Jessica Malone Band setting a joyful atmosphere for the whole community.
As excitement builds, Santa himself will arrive at 6:30 pm to greet the crowd and spread holiday cheer. The evening will also include a “Stuff Your Stocking” game and opportunities to support local families in need. Don’t miss this magical evening that marks the start of the holiday season in El Dorado Hills.
Fulton-El Camino Recreation & Park District
2201 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone Number: (916) 927-3802 ext 125
December 7, 2024
Saturday | 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Join the community at the Tree of Grace at the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance this year for a Holiday celebration. There will be music, entertainment and a Christmas tree raffle! Fun and games at Santa’s Workshop and FREE coffee, cocoa, cookies, hotdogs and chickin’ until supplies last!
Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Dr., Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone Number: (916) 808-5233
December 7 – 8 & 14 – 15, 2024
Saturday – Sunday | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate the holidays together at Fairytale Town’s annual Winter Wonderland! Enjoy a visit with Santa Claus, interact with the mischievous Mr. Grinch, play in nightly snowfall at 6pm, and enjoy festive decorations. Join in games and crafts while making magical memories December 7, 8, 14, and 15 from 1-7 pm.
The storybook park will be adorned with festive décor and, starting at dusk each day, lit up with a dazzling display of lights. Take a picture on Santa’s Sleigh too. Multiple arts and crafts activities will be stationed throughout the park. Visit the new Story Center for holiday-themed crafts and story times.
The holiday lights’ choices seem limitless as almost every corner of the Sacramento region has begun stringing millions of lights into breathtaking festive Christmas decorations. Perhaps you want to make it a before-Christmas family getaway to usher in the holiday spirit and set the mood for a merry yuletide season.
Simplify your search for Christmas lights in Sacramento with our list of must-see places and landmarks. Indeed, you’ll never be disappointed, and your kids will be begging to visit these spots year after year.
Sacramento offers so many opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of resources, or browse through our things to do in Sacramento with kids. Still looking for more activities for kids in Sacramento? No problem! Check out our comprehensive listing of places to go in the region and our highly recommended seasonal blog posts.
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in Fresno with Kids
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in San Francisco
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in San Jose
Imaginarium 360 – A Magical Journey Through Light
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