Our recommendations include fun, family-friendly events where kids can have memorable, one-on-one experiences and take pictures or portraits with Santa in Sacramento while enjoying crafts, activities, breakfast, and Christmas photo opportunities. This year, make your child’s visit with Santa a special occasion in one of the best places to see Santa in the Sacramento area!
Foothill of Sierra Mountains
2131 Peaceful Garden Way, Rescue CA 95672
Phone Number: (530) 677-5369
Oct. 10 – December 10, 2023
You’re invited to a magical place where childhood dreams come to life. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience with your little ones during your family’s one-hour private visit with Santa in his workshop. This is a full immersion commissioned art experience, perfect for capturing Christmas photo with Santa in Sacramento featuring your children. Santa’s Enchanted Workshop offers 125 sessions for the 2023 season and sells out yearly.
Witness the wonder as your children find their name on Santa’s nice list, share milk and cookies, enjoy playing with snow, work with Santa in his workshop, and even add an ornament to his tree. There’s also plenty of time to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and ask as many questions as possible. As parents, you will enjoy witnessing the excitement as you sit and watch the magic before you.
River Fox Train
18095 County Rd., 117, West Sacramento, CA 95691
Phone Number: (800) 866-1690
November 24 – December 23, 2023
Step aboard this magical train ride and be transported to a holiday wonderland complete with hot cocoa and a treat. Each car will have its own Elf to guide them in Christmas sing-a-longs, elf games, and fun elf activities. After your train ride, you can take pictures or portraits with Santa in Sacramento, as he will be waiting for you at the Winter Wonderland park.
Each family will have the opportunity to have a socially distanced experience with Santa. Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elves will be on hand as well. Feel free to come dressed in your cozy P.J.’s to add more magic to your overall experience. Kids of all ages will enjoy this enchanting holiday tradition and have fond memories that last a lifetime.
Bass Pro Shops Rocklin
5472 Crossings Dr., Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone Number: (916) 251-3800
November 4 – December 24, 2023
Monday – Sunday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Santa’s Wonderland is the ultimate free family Christmas event. The magic returns to Bass Pro Shops in the Sacramento area, where families and kids can take pictures and portraits or have a Christmas photo with Santa and enjoy this enchanting Christmas village offering FREE 4×6 studio-quality photos with Santa and free family holiday activities, including fun crafts and games. Features include rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters, and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees.
The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers remote control trucks, laser/ foam toy arcades, a Lincoln Logs building area, and much more. Kids can also enjoy free crafts, coloring stations, and writing a letter to Santa. Families can mail their letters to Santa during your visit and receive free giveaways while supplies last. Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store.
Arden Fair Mall
1689 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone Number: (916) 920-1167
November 10-30, 2023
Monday – Saturday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(Closed on Thanksgiving)
December 1-17, 2023
Monday – Friday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
December 18-23, 2023
Monday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
December 24, 2023 (Christmas Eve)
Sunday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland. Santa will be at Arden Fair Mall starting November 11th and is located at Center Court near Michael Kors. A visit with Santa in Sacramento is always free, and photo packages and pictures or portraits are available for purchase.
Pre-book now and receive a FREE personalized call from Santa powered by the Portable North Pole. All guests who pre-book and purchase a photo package get a free, personalized video from the North Pole after the visit.
Aerospace Museum of California
3200 Freedom Park Dr., McClellan, CA 95652
Phone Number: (916) 643-3192
November 24, 2023
Friday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
One of the best places to see Santa in Sacramento, prepare your kids for a winter wonderland adventure at the Air Park! Join in some fun reindeer games, pen heartfelt letters to Santa, and trim your tree with a plane and rocket ornament. Get the chance to meet Santa himself as he comes to the airpark to spread holiday joy!
It’s a high-flying, festive event that promises joy and cheer for all. Experience the magic of the season in an aviation-themed wonderland that will make your heart soar and create memories to cherish.
MTT Collective
330 Palladio Pkwy, Suite 2001, Folsom, CA 95630
Phone Number: (916) 542-7408
November 18 – December 17, 2023
Monday – Thursday | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
(Closed Thanksgiving Day)
December 18 – December 23, 2023
Monday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Bring the family to Palladio for a memorable Christmas photo with Santa in Sacramento and capture portraits or pictures with the whole family. Santa will make a grand entrance and be escorted to the Santa Photo area, where he will start making Christmas magic by taking family photos at Palladio.
Take pictures or portraits, or have a Christmas photo with Santa as you enjoy the holidays in the greater Sacramento area. Reservations are strongly recommended – walk-ins are allowed as schedule permits but cannot be guaranteed.
Central Pacific Passenger Station
930 Front St., Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone Number: (916) 445-8270
November 24 – December 20, 2023
Wednesday – Sunday | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 8:00 PM
Enjoy this magical family event! The evening begins in our passenger station where you will be entertained by Polar Express characters, and then board your train to the North Pole, where you will enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat courtesy of our hot chocolate chefs. Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf — Santa himself — will come on board to give each passenger the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell.
The Polar Express Train Ride in Sacramento consists of seven separate cars pulled by vintage locomotives from the California State Railroad Museum’s collection. On board, you will be seated in either Coach, Open Air, or First Class, according to your ticket purchase. All departures will take place from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento.
Arden Park
1000 La Sierra Dr., Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone Number: (916) 483-6069
December 8, 2023
Friday | 6:00 PM –8:00 PM
Join the 10th Annual Holiday in the Park! Santa will use his Christmas magic to light up our 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! Thank you to our sponsors Tom Phillips Real Estate, Dana Gray & The Gray Group and Augustine & Associates, and our partner Mariemont Elementary!
El Dorado Hills Town Center
2085 Vine St., Ste. 105, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone Number: (916) 933-6699
December 1 – 24, 2023
Monday – Sunday | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(Closed on Dec. 4-5 & 18-19)
One of the best places to see Santa in Sacramento, kids will have the opportunity for a personal encounter with Santa at the California Welcome Center by Charm Photography. Santa Claus will spread cheer while spending time in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Families are invited to visit with Santa to share wish lists and to take purchased photos.
Chick-fil-A
2679 East Bidwell St., Folsom, CA 95630
Phone Number: (559) 323-9675
December 23, 2023
Saturday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Join Chick-fil-A for a memorable morning filled with fun holiday activities, and enjoy breakfast with Santa Cow in Sacramento.
City of Roseville
311 Vernon St., Roseville, California 95678
Phone Number: (916)774-5200
December 2, 2023
Saturday | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Calling all elves! Santa needs help in his workshop. Enjoy a tasty pancake breakfast with your family, make crafts in the elf’s workshop, play reindeer games, and visit with Santa in Sacramento.
Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Dr., Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone Number: (916) 808-5233
December 9, 10, 16 & 18, 2023
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 and the Grinch, play in the nightly snowfall at 6 pm, and enjoy festive decorations. Join in games and crafts while making magical memories December 9, 10, 16, and 17 from 1-7 pm.
The storybook park will be trimmed with festive décor and lit up at dusk each day 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. There will be a holiday scavenger hunt for families to embark on as well.
This year, skip the lines at the mall and enjoy one of these wonderful events where you can find the best places to see Santa in Sacramento. Looking for other things to do in the Sacramento area? Check out our comprehensive listing of places to go in the region.
Don’t have a Christmas tree yet? Check out our list of Christmas tree farms near Sacramento. Looking for more fun happenings this holiday season? Check out our Winter Activities for Kids in the Sacramento article.
Best Places to See Santa in San Jose this Holiday Season
Best Places to See Santa in San Francisco
Best Places to See Holiday and Christmas Lights in Sacramento
Christmas Tree Farms near Sacramento – A Holiday Season Family Trip
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