Sacramento Holiday Fun Guide

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…and Sacramento has so many ways to celebrate!  I know that with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays it is hard to find the time to search for fun events and so I’ve tried to make it easy for you.

Here are over 50 ideas of things to do to feel the magic of the season with your kids!

MEET SANTA

Santa’s Secret Adventure
When: December 2-4,9-11,16-23
Where: Penryn Oak Stables, 2460 Del Mar Ave., Penryn
What: Ride through Santa’s secret place on one of his personal carriages.  Listen to Christmas stories around the Christmas fire.  Pony/Horse rides, petting zoo, visit Santa, hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
Cost: $39.00 Kids, $15.00 Adults with Child under 2, $12.00 Adults with Child over 2
Info: Click here

Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday, December 10; 8:00-11:00am
Where: Cordova Senior Activities Center, Rancho Cordova
What: Pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, and cocoa! Stop by the holiday craft fair for last minute Christmas shopping or join Mrs. Claus and create a hand painted ornament ($3 per person).
Cost: $5.00 Adults, $2.00 Kids 8 and under
Info: Click here

Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday, December 10; 8:30-10:00am or 10:30-12:00pm
Where: West Sacramento Community Center, 1075 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento
What: Eat breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Christmas-themed activities, mail letters to the North Pole, and complimentary pictures with Santa.
Cost: Pre-sale – Kids $8.00, under 2 $5.00, Adults $10.00; At door – $10.00 all ages
Info: Click here

Taylor’s Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday, December 17; 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am
Where: Taylor’s Kitchen, Sacramento
What: Annual children’s breakfast with Santa. Bring the kids, appetites, and cameras.
Cost: Kids $11.99, Adults $19.99
Info: Click here or call 443-6881 for reservations

Brunch with Santa
When: Saturday, December 17th & Sunday, December 18th; 10:30-12:00 (check in at 10:00am)
Where: Jelly Belly Factory, Fairfield
What: Join Mr. Jelly Belly and friends for a delicious brunch with Santa.  Reservations required.
Cost: $19.99 per person, Kids 2 and under free
Info: Click here – reservations online only

Brunch with Santa
When: Sunday, December 19; 9:00-11:00am
Where: The Bounce Spot, West Sacramento
What: Have brunch with Santa and bounce.  Must RSVP.
Cost: $8.00 per person
Info: Click here

TREES & LIGHTS

State Capitol Tree Lighting
When: Tuesday, December 7; 4:30pm
Where: West Side of the State Capitol
What: Annual tree lighting ceremony with Governor Schwarzanegger. 6,500 lights and more than 2,000 ornaments.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Theater of lights
When: Thursdays through Sundays; 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Ongoing until December 31st
Where: Old Sacramento
What: A symphony of lights, sounds and visual effects will take the audience back to a time
when the beloved poem The Night Before Christmas was first introduced in Sacramento in 1857.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Tree Lighting
When: Thursday, December 9; 6:00pm
Where: Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Avenue, Carmichael
What: Tree lighting, live music, hot cider and cookies, arts and crafts, Santa.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Holidaze Winter Tales & Family Fun
When: Thursday, December 2; 4:00-5:00pm
Where: Del Paso Heights Library, Sacramento
What: Festive program of reader’s theatre, holiday stories and songs.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Winter Wonderland
When: Friday & Saturday, December 3-4; 5:00-8:00pm
Where: Fairytale Town
What: Holiday lights, visit with Father Christmas, hands-on activities, holiday entertainment.
Cost: $5.00 general admission, 2 and under FREE; Photos with Santa for additional cost
Info: Click here

27th Annual Christmas in the Village & Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Saturday, December 4th; 1:00–6:00pm
Where: Plaza Park in the Fair Oaks Village, Fair Oaks Blvd. & California Street
What: Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing Christmas carols, Winnie the Pooh Play, enjoy the lighting of the Christmas tree, and a parade.
Cost: Free Admission for 1 canned-food item (drop at base of Christmas Tree).
Info: Click here or call (916) 967-2903

Holiday on the Boulevard
When: Saturday, December 4; 9:00am-3:00pm
Where: 2354 Forrest Street, Del Paso Boulevard
What: Pancake Breakfast, Craft Fair, Free Photo with Santa and decorate frame, Rudolph Holiday Treat Walk.
Cost: All FREE except for $5.00 Pancake Breakfast
Info: Click here or call (916) 923-6200

Christmas in the Village
When: Saturday, December 4; 9:30am-4:00pm
Where: Town & Country Village Shopping Center; Fulton & Marconi Ave.
What: Free activities, free freshly popped kettle corn, Santa Claus, arts & crafts, strolling carolers, live music.
Cost: Free; Charge for Photos with Santa
Info: Click here

Franklin Library Holiday Open House
When: Saturday, December 4; 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Franklin Community Library, Elk Grove
What: Music, food, a children’s craft, and a special gift.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Holiday Cheer in Old Sacramento
When: Saturday, December 11; 1:00-4:00pm
Where: Sacramento History Museum, 101 I Street, Sacramento
What: Celebrate the holidays with cider and cookies and a visit with Father Christmas.  Holiday sing-a-longs and make paper ornamentss and festive candy canes.
Cost: General admission Adults $5.00, Kids $4.00, 5 and under Free
Info: Click here or call (916) 808-7059

Holiday Party
When: Saturday, December 11; 11:00am-12:00pm
Where: McKinley Library, Sacramento
What: Visit with Santa and enjoy treats of the season.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Holiday Open House
When: Tuesday, December 14; 6:00-7:00pm
Where: South Natomas Library, Natomas
What: Celebrate the winter season with music, refreshments and crafts.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Swim with Santa
When: Friday, December 17; 6:00-8:00pm
Where: Sacramento Central YMCA, 2021 W Street, Sacramento
What: Swimming, games, and holiday treats.  Have your picture taken with Swimming Santa.
Cost: FREE; please bring unwrapped toy for a child in need; YMCA teens will be selling treats to raise funds
Info: Call (916) 452-9622

Fairytale Town Free Admission Day
When: Friday, December 24; 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Fairytale Town
What: Fairytale Town offers free admission as a holiday gift to guests for visiting throughout the year.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Sacramento Zoo Free Admission Day
When: Friday, December 24; 10am-1:30pm
Where: Sacramento Zoo
What: Celebrate Christmas Eve at the Zoo in your pajamas.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Kwanzaa Family Festival
When: Sunday, December 26; 12:00-4pm
Where: Crocker Art Museum
What: Celebrate the new collection of African art with music and dance performances, unique studio art workshops, storytelling, and more.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here or call (916) 808-7000

MUSIC

Winterfest Concert
When: Sunday, December 5; 1:30-2:30pm
Where: Central Library, Sacramento
What: The Sacramento Youth Symphony Premier Orchestra will perform classical seasonal music.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Upon A Midnight Clear Holiday Concert
When: Sunday, December 5; 4-6pm
Where: Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church, Sacramento
What: Holiday concert featuring Sacramento Children’s Chorus.
Cost: Adults $15, Kids $10
Info: Click here

Winterfest
When: Saturday, December 11; 1-2pm
Where: Rancho Cordova Library, Rancho Cordova
What: Celebrate the season with music and dance from places like Armenia, Egypt, Polynesia, Greece and the Middle East
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

‘Tis the Season”: Sacramento Valley Concert Choir’s Holiday Program
When: Tuesday, December 14; 7:00pm
Where: Atonement Lutheran Church, 9242 Kiefer Blvd., Sacramento
What: Sacramento Valley Concert Choir performs holiday music.
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Info: Click here

Global Tunes for the Time of Giving
When: Thursday, December 16; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Sylvan Oaks Library, Sacramento
What: Celebrate the holiday season with a special program of global tunes & dance by Catherine Mandella.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Jingle All the Way! – Children’s Holiday Concert
When: Saturday, December 18; 2:00pm
Where: St. Francis Catholic Church, 26th and K Streets, Sacramento
What: The Sacramento Master Singers present their annual children’s holiday concert.  A shorter, family-oriented program designed for children.
Cost: Adults $5.00, Kids $3.00
Info: Click here or call (916) 788-7464

PARADES

Santa & Sirens Parade
When: December 8-10; 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Elk Grove
What: Fire and police vehicles will start at a fire station and parade through  the neighborhood.  Donations of new, unwrapped
toys for the E.G.Community Toy Project will be accepted along the route.  Each night is a different route, see info for maps.
Cost: Free
Info: Click here

Downtown Santa Parade
When: Saturday, December 11; 10:00am
Where: 9th & I to 7th & K, Sacramento
What: Starts near City Hall and ends at Westfield Downtown Plaza.  Floats, Bands, and a visit by Santa Clause.  Children’s entertainment scheduled before the 10am start.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here or call (916) 451-6200

SHOWS

Jingle in the Jungle with Ventriloquist Jungle Joe
When: Thursday, December 9; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Sylvan Oaks Library, Sacramento
What: Watch the fun as Santa has to deliver presents to jungle dwellers.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

The North Pole Review
When: Thursday, December 16; 4:00-4:45pm
Where: Arcade Library, Sacramento
What: The Fratello Marionettes present a puppet extravaganza.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

THEATRE

Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
When: Saturdays & Sundays through December 26; 1:00 and 4:00 pm (December 12 Santa will make a special appearance)
Where: B Street Theatre, 2711 B Street, Sacramento
What: Junie’s funny and frantic efforts to create a perfect holiday celebration are met with willful mischief by her nemesis. For kids 4 and older.
Cost: Adults $22.00, Kids $15.00
Info: Click here

Kancelled Krismas Karol
When: Saturdays, December 4-18; 12 & 2pm
Where: Chautauqua Children’s Theatre, 5235 Engle Road, Carmichael
What: Christopher Crum is vacationing.  So are the Reindeer.  When they meet, sparks fly!
Cost: $7.00 per person
Info: Click here

Scrooge
When: December 3-23
Where: Chautauqua Playhouse, 5235 Engle Road, Carmichael
What: The musical tale of joy and redemption, based on Chales Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.
Cost: Adults $16, Kids 12 and under $8.00; Opening Weekend $10.00 Adult tickets
Info: Click here

A Christmas Carol
When: December 1 – 26
Where: Sacramento Theatre Company, main stage, 1419 H Street, Sacramento
What: Sacramento Theatre Company’s own musical version of Charles Dickens’ immortal tale of redemption.  Appropriate for all ages.
Cost: $15-$46
Info: Click here or call (916) 443-6722

THE NUTCRACKER

The Nutcracker
When: December 10 – December 23
Where: Community Center Theater (part of Convention Center), 1301 L St., Sacramento
What: The classic Christmas ballet
Cost: $15 – $68
Info: Click here or call (916) 808-5181

The Nutcracker
When: Saturday, December 11; 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Where: Sheldon High School Performing Arts Center, Sacramento
What: The Capitol Ballet Company performs this classical ballet.
Cost: Adults $18, Kids $12
Info: Click here or call (916) 484-1188

The Nutcracker
When: Friday, December 17, 7pm; December 18-19, 2pm
Where: Jill Solberg Performing Arts Theater, Folsom
What: Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet performs.
Cost: $18-24
Info: Click here

ICE SKATING

Downtown Ice Rink
When: Daily through January 17
Where: 7th & K Streets, Sacramento
What: Ice skate on Sacramento’s original outdoor ice skating rink outside the Westfield Downtown Plaza.
Cost: $8.00 for 2 hours, $2.00 skate rental
Info: Click here

Folsom Ice Rink
When: Daily through January 17
Where: Historic Folsom
What: Ice skate on Historic Folsom’s festive outdoor ice rink.
Cost: Adults $8.50, Kids $5.50, $2.00 skate rental
Info: Click here

HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS

Holiday Crafts from Recycled Everyday Materials
When: Thursday, December 2; 4:00-5:30pm
Where: N.Highlands-Antelope Library
What: Create holiday ornaments and gifts from everyday recyclable items.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Gift Making for Kids
When: Thursday, December 2; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: McKinley Library, Sacramento
What: Make gifts for the holidays.  Many projects to choose from.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Gift Making Craft Program
When: Saturday, December 4, 4:00-5:00pm
Where: North Natomas Library
What: Make a creative gift for a special person in your life.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Home Depot Kids Holiday Workshop
When: Saturday, December 4; 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Home Depot, all locations
What: Make a holiday picture frame.  Ages 5-12.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Drop and Shop
When: Every Saturday until Christmas; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Where: reCREATE, Roseville
What: Drop your child off to make a  creative gift from recyclable items at their art center while you go get your holiday shopping done.
Cost: $25 for one child, $45 for two children, $60 for three
Info: Click here

Holiday Crafts
When: Saturdays & Sundays, December 4-30; 12:30-4:00
Where: Discovery Museum & Science Center, Sacramento
What: Make a craft and enjoy the museum.  Paper Drop Ornaments (3rd-4th), Rudolph (11th-12th), Scented Sachets (18th-19th), Snowflake Wreath (26th).
Cost: Included in General admission Weekend Price.  Adults $6.00, Kids $4.00, 3 and under Free
Info: Click here

Gingerbread House Decorating Party
When: Wednesday, December 8; 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: ArtBeast Studio, 2226 K Street, Sacramento
What: Create a gingerbread holiday home creation with your family.
Cost: $8.00 per person
Info: Click here

Holiday Cards with ArtWorks
When: Wednesday, December 8; 3:30-4:30
Where: Elk Grove Library
What: Families can get in the holiday spirit and make holiday cards.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Make Holiday Cards
When: Thursday, December 9; 3:00pm
Where: Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento
What: Families can get creative and make holiday cards.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Holiday Gift Making for Kids
When: Thursday, December 9; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Franklin Community Library, Elk Grove
What: Transform paper into beautiful works of art.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Make Tamales and Holiday Greeting Cards
When: Saturday, December 11; 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Galt Library
What: Families can make Christmas tamales and handmade greeting cards during a program taught by master craftswoman Delia Davila.  Registration required.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Make your own Holiday Cards and Gifts
When: Saturday, December 11; 2:00-3:00pm
Where: Carmichael Library
What: Kids can make holiday cards and gifts.  Refreshments provided.  Advance registration required.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

A Southwest Christmas – Native Designs & Ornament Workshop
When: Sunday, December 12; 1:00-2:00pm
Where: Trailmix.Net Store, Old Sacramento
What: Celebrate Christmas and learn about Native cultures.  Program will include a basic overview of traditional Southwest Indian arts.  Kids 4 and up.  Limited space, register in advance.
Cost: $5.00
Info: Click here

Make Gifts and Wrapping Paper
When: Thursday, December 16; 4:00-4:45
Where: Arden-Dimick Library
What: Make creative gifts and homemade wrapping paper.
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Make Holiday Gifts
When: Thursday, December 23; 3:30-4:30
Where: Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento
What: Make holiday gifts and wrapping
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here

Gingerbread House Workshop
When: December 20-23; 9:30am-3:00pm
Where: KidzArt, Natomas
What: Create an edible masterpiece.  Drop-off your child while you shop or create one as a family.
Cost: $20.00; Discount – $5.00 off for Sacramento Sidetracks readers – code SST12
Info: Click here