“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” – Mark Twain
The anticipation of spring this year is more intense. With the overabundance of rain we’ve had in Sacramento, I think it is safe to say we are all excited for the sun to come out soon and will be thrilled to get out of the house more often! Gathering all of these fun spring events has me excited to pull out our family’s calendar and start planning. I hope this guide does the same for you!
The 2019 SPRING ACTIVITIES GUIDE includes:
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Easter Egg Hunts & Special Events
Arts & Crafts
The Great Outdoors
Live Entertainment
Special Events throughout Spring
St. Patrick’s Day Crafts with ArtBeast
When: Wednesday, March 13; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Elk Grove Library
What: Make great St. Patrick’s Day crafts with ArtBeast.
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
Build Leprechaun Traps
When: Saturday, March 16; 2pm
Where: Rio Linda Library
What: Leprechauns are clever! Do you think you can outsmart these tricksters? We will have all sorts of doodads and materials set out. You build the Leprechaun Trap.
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
St. Patrick’s Day River Cruise
When: Saturday, March 16; 11:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm
Where: Hornblower Cruises, Old Sacramento
What: Enjoy a one hour cruise of the Sacramento River with a Face painter & Balloon Artist for the kids! See where the American and Sacramento Rivers come together to experience the wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty that this historic and important waterway has to offer.
Cost: $20.00 per person
More Info: Visit website
How to Catch a Leprechaun Storytime
When: Saturday, March 16; 11am
Where: Barnes and Noble
What: You’ve been planning night and day, and finally you’ve created the perfect trap, but leprechauns are quick and sneakier than you may think. Will you ever catch one?
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: Saturday, March 16; 1pm
Where: Old Sacramento
What: Hundreds of colorful marchers dressed in green, along with Irish and Highland dancers, pipe and drum bands, historic re-enactors and a variety of cultural organizations, join together to be a part of the 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The day will include entertainment and activities starting at 11:30 AM.
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
Shamrock SwimFest YMCA
When: Sunday, March 17; 2-5pm
Where: Central YMCA, 2021 W Street, Sacramento
What: Jump in the pool to collect gold coins, swim the rainbow, and join the leprechaun scramble.
Cost: $5.00 per person
More Info: Visit website
Shamrock’n Half
When: Saturday – Sunday, March 16-17
Where: 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento
What: Run/Walk the 5k or 10k and then enjoy watching the little ones chase a Leprechaun for the 1/2 mile Dash. Rock to the music on the course, finish on the field and enjoy post-race festivites. Proceeds go to Triumph Cancer Foundation to support cancer survivors.
Cost: $15 – $79
More Info: Visit website
Remember to B.Y.O.B. (BRING YOUR OWN BASKET) to Easter Egg Hunts!
Sacramento RiverTrain Easter Egg Express
When: April 6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 20
Where: Boarding 400 N. Harbor Blvd., West Sacramento
What: Two and a half hour train ride with children’s entertainment and Easter egg hunt.
Cost: $15.00 – $45.00
Info: Visit website
Spring Fling
When: Sunday, April 7; 1-5pm
Where: Palladio, 340 Palladio Parkway, Folsom
What: Easter Bunny, crafts and games.
Cost: FREE
More info: Visit website
Funderland Easter Eggstravaganza
When: Friday – Sunday, April 12th-14th
Where: Funderland Amusement Park
What: Meet the Easter Bunny and Happy the Squirrel, Egg hunts every 30 minutes, free crafts throughout the park. Easter celebration with egg hunts, visits from the Easter bunny, free arts & crafts.
Cost: $4.75 for Egg Hunt, Ride Ticket prices here.
Info: Visit website
Land Park Egg Hunt & Hat Parade
When: Saturday, April 13; 9:30-11am
Where: Crocker-Riverside Elementary School, 2970 Riverside Blvd
What: This years event will feature: Hat Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Live Music, Carnival Games, Face Painting, Mr. Cottontail, and Light snacks. Festivities start at 9:30am, the Hat Parade starts at 10am (registration for the parade begins at 9:30am), and Egg Hunts begin at 10:30am – sharp! Bring your decorated hat and your own basket. Hat Parade prizes include tasty treats from Freeport Bakery and some special egg hunt eggs will include certificates for Vic’s Ice Cream, Fairytale Town, & the Sacramento Zoo.
Cost: FREE
More info: Visit website
Grand Egg Roll
When: Tuesday, April 16; 10am-12pm
Where: Mission Oaks Community Center, 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael
What: There will be an egg hunt, games, prizes and more.
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
Easter Blast
When: Saturday, April 20; 11am-1:30pm
Where: Swanston Community Center, 2350 Northrop Ave., Sacramento
What: There will be age seperated egg hunts, 2 magic shows, pictures with the Easter bunny, and more.
Cost: FREE; Magic show $3 per person
More Info: Visit website
Fairytale Town Spring Eggstravaganza
When: Saturday, April 20; 10am – 4pm
Where: Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento
What: Join Fairytale Town for an egg-citing weekend featuring egg hunts, prizes, spring themed arts and crafts and more! Daily egg hunts will be held at 12, 1 and 2 PM, promptly. After each hunt, redeem your eggs for a prize in Mr. McGregor’s Garden. Puppet Theater Art will also be on hand performing Bunny Bootcamp in the Children’s Theater at 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 PM. Plus, visit with Peter Cottontail on the Mother Goose Stage. Get a printed photo for $5, or take your own photo. Make spring-themed crafts, including bunny ears.
Cost: Advance Tickets $7.00 per person, Day of Tickets $10.00, Kids 1 and under free; Puppet Show Tickets are $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers.
Info: Visit website
Curtis Park Spring Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, April 20; 9-11am
Where: William Curtis Park, 3349 W. Curtis Drive, Sacramento
What: Pajama parade at 9:30am, crafts, activities, meet the Easter Bunny, and an Easter Egg Hunt.
Cost: FREE; Photos with Easter Bunny suggested donation $5.00
Info: Visit website
Carmichael Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast
When: Saturday, April 20; 7-11am
Where: Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael
What: Egg hunts, arts and crafts, visits with the Bunny and a pancake breakfast.
Cost: FREE; Pancake Breakfast – Adults $5.00, Kids $3.00
Info: Visit website
Fair Oaks Easter Eggstravaganza
When: Saturday, April 20; 9am – 1pm
Where: Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks
What: Morning breakfast, carnival games, train rides, bounce houses, an egg toss competition, egg hunt and much more.
Cost: FREE egg hunt; Carnival Tickets are $.50, $10 wristband for unlimited games, train ride, face painted, and inflatables
Info: Visit website
Folsom Spring Eggstravaganza
When: Saturday, April 20; 8am – 11am
Where: Lembi Park, 1328 Riley Street, Folsom
What: Egg hunts, pancake breakfast, carnival games, entertainment and activities.
Cost: FREE
Info: Visit website
Breakfast with the Bunny
When: Saturday, April 20; 8:15-10:15am
Where: Elk Grove Regional Park Pavilion, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove
What: Enjoy a pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Each child will have an opportunity to visit with the Bunny.
Cost: FREE; fee for some activities
Info: Visit website
Hoppin’ and Huntin’ at Hagan
When: Saturday, April 20; 8:30am-12pm
Where: Hagan Community Park, Rancho Cordova
What: Egg hunts at three time slots for children aged 10 and under and the Easter Bunny will be available for photos. Attendees will enjoy games, music, face painting, inflatable houses, contests and prizes.
Cost: FREE; Pancake Breakfast $2 per adult, children free
More Info: Visit website
Hornblower Easter River Cruise
When: Sunday, April 21
Where: Old Sacramento, L Street Dock
What: Enjoy a one hour cruise along the River and visit with the Easter Bunny! See where the American and Sacramento Rivers come together to experience the wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty that this historic and important waterway has to offer.
Cost: $20.00 per person
Info: Visit website
Alpha Fired Arts – Paint your own pottery
ArtBeast – Open studio for exploring art is open daily
Color Me Mine, Elk Grove and Color Me Mine, Folsom – Paint your own pottery
Crocker Art Museum’s Tot Land – Living art wall and crafting materials
Home Depot Kids Workshop – Build a craft for free the first Saturday of each month
Lakeshore Learning Crafts for Kids – Create a free craft every Saturday
Sacramento Children’s Museum’s Studio of the Arts – Glass paint wall and recyclable materials for crafting (tip: in 2017, every Friday night is “$5 Friday”)
Sacramento Public Library
Local libraries often hold FREE arts & crafts activities and storytimes typically include a craft activity. Visit the library’s Events Calendar for details.
Sutter’s Fort & State Indian Museum
William B. Pond Recreation Area
Oliver
When: March 1 – 24
Where: Davis Musical Theatre Company, Young Performers Theatre
What: Nothing entertains on stage like a well-crafted tale, and OLIVER! is just such a show. Based on the Charles Dickens novel, it engages you with its pathos and drama, while delighting you with its outstanding musical numbers. Food, Glorious Food, I’d Do Anything, Where is Love?, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation are musical theatre classics It will leave you saying ‘Please Sir, May I have some more?’Recommended for audiences of all ages
Cost: $18.00 Adults, $16.00 Students
More info: Visit website
Charlotte’s Web
When: March 16 – April 14
Where: B Street Theatre, Family Series Stage
What: E.B. White’s beloved children’s story is adapted for the stage in this delightful, colorful production. When Wilbur the pig is befriended by a small spider named Charlotte, the friendship sets off a series of events that turn Wilbur from the runt of his litter to “Some Pig”.
Cost: Adults $24.00, Kids $19.00
More info: Visit website
The Fairytale Town Troupers Present: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
When: April 6, 7, 13, 14
Where: Fairytale Town’s Children’s Theatre
What: The three bears live a cozy, quiet life in a tiny little cottage in the middle of a great big forest. Their days are simple and silly, as a rule, but on one very special morning they return home from a walk to find a stranger in their home. It’s a lost little girl who goes by the name of Goldilocks. The three bears are surprised—and a little bit scared of Goldilocks. They’ve never seen a human before, but they decide to help the little girl and keep her safe until she can be reunited with her real family again.
Cost: $1 for members, $2 for non-members in addition to paid park admission
More info: Visit website
Mayumana
When: Sunday, April 14
Where: Mondavi Center, Davis
What: One of Israel’s leading cultural exports, Mayumana combines custom-made musical instruments, massive video art projections and performers in constant motion. Currents is inspired by the historic “Battle of Currents” between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in their quest to find new energy sources for the world.
Cost: Adults $20, Kids $10
More info: Visit website
Alice in Wonderland
When: April 26 – May 12
Where: Folsom Lake College
What: Alice’s story takes a sharp turn as she falls down the rabbit hole into the dark and mysterious Wonderland. The Falcon’s Eye Theatre presents Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale of the absurd in this exuberant, funny and strikingly pertinent production. The creative team at Falcon’s Eye is considering this production of Alice in Wonderland to be appropriate for children in middle school and older.
Cost: Adults $20.00 Students $12.00
More info: Visit website
Puppet Show: Tommy’s Space Adventure
When: Saturday – Sunday, May 4 – 5; 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
Where: Fairytale Town’s Children’s Theatre
What: Tommy loves books about outer space and space aliens. His greatest wish is to someday meet a real live space alien. Little did Tommy know his wish was about to come true. Zeenon the Alien travels millions of light years to visit earth and to meet interesting earthlings like Tommy. Mad scientist, Dr. Lost N. Space is also interested in Space Aliens…interested in selling them for millions of dollars! Will Tommy be able to save his new found friend from the evil Dr. Lost N. Space?
Cost: $1 for members, $2 for non-members in addition to paid park admission
More info: Visit website
Miniature Train Ride
When: Saturday – Sunday, April 6-7 and May 4-5 ; 11am – 3pm
Where: Hagan Park
What: Take a ride through Hagan Park on Sacramento Valley Live Steamers’ miniature steam train.
Cost: FREE (donations appreciated)
More info: Visit website
Tuesday Train Rides
When: Tuesdays, March – April; 11am & 1pm
Where: California Railroad Museums’ Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, Old Sacramento
What: As an expansion of the weekday train ride program for local school groups, the California State Railroad Museum is now offering excursion train rides to the general public on select Tuesdays this year.
Cost: Adults $12, Kids $6, age 5 and under free
More info: Visit website
Spring Fling All Night Skate
When: Friday, March 22; 6:30pm
Where: Foothill Skate Inn
What: Roller Skate and meal deal.
Cost: $20.00
More Info: Visit website
Trevor Wyatt Magic Show
When: Saturday, March 23; 10am
Where: Arden Fair Mall Center Court
What: Arden Fair monthly Kids Club Event – Magic Show with Trevor Wyatt.
Cost: FREE
More info: Visit website
Hands on History
When: Saturday, March 30; 10am-4pm
Where: Sutter’s Fort
What: During Hands on History events, talented and highly trained docent volunteers recreate life in 1846. Visitors can explore Sutter’s Fort at their own pace, interacting with docent volunteers along their way.Popular demonstrations of black powder weaponry in action may also take place (weather permitting) including the crowd-favorite firing of Sutter’s cannon.
Cost: Adults $7.00, Kids $5.00, age 5 and under free
More info: Visit website
Earth Fest
When: Saturday, March 30; 9am – 4pm
Where: Sacramento Zoo
What: Learn about the environment and conservation both locally and globally and how you can have an impact on the world around you right from home. Enjoy face painting, crafts, hands-on activities and games all focused on the planet we call home.
Cost: General admission
More info: Visit website
UnchARTed
When: Saturday, April 27; 10am
Where: Arden Fair Mall Center Court
What: Arden Fair monthly Kids Club Event – Explore your creativity and imagination with Arden UnchARTed.
Cost: FREE
More info:Visit website
Kids Day in the Park Hagan Park
When: Saturday, April 27; 11am-3pm
Where: Hagan Park, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova
What: A superhero themed day of activities for small children and their families. Rides, crafts, games and more.
Cost: FREE
More Info: Visit website
Children’s Book Week
When: Monday – Sunday, April 29 – May 5; 10am-3pm
Where: Fairytale Town
What: Celebrate Children’s Book Week with storytime, activities, and giveaways each day of the week! From April 29 – May 5, join us on the Mother Goose Stage each day at 12 PM. A different book will be featured each day with storytime and craft activities inspired by the selected book. There will also be a Scholastic Book Fair with books and more for sale. It’s a week of literary fun!
Cost: General admission
More Info: Visit website
Meet the Machines
When: Saturday, May 11; 10am – 1:30pm
Where: Mather Sports Center
What: Children of all ages have the opportunity to touch, climb on and explore an expanse of exciting machines and unique vehicles. The event will also feature other activities such as bounce houses, games, face painting, music and food. The first hour of the event is horn-free to accommodate children with special needs and sensitive ears.
Cost: FREE
More info: Visit website
Berry Fest
When: Saturday – Sunday, May 11 – 12; 10am – 6pm
Where: Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All Ammerican City Blvd., Roseville
What: There’s loads of strawberry eats and strawberry treats, arts and crafts shopping, boy scouts strawberry pancake breakfast, cooking demonstrations and live bands;Petting zoo, pony rides, princess pageant, strawberry shortcake eating contest, strolling entertainers, a daily parade, nonstop shows on the kids caboose stage, a community stage and a full kid’s carnival.
Cost: Adults $12, Kids 6 and up $6.00, 5 and under Free
More info: Visit website
Sacramento County Fair
When: May 23-27 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento
What: Fair theme this year is “Celebrating the Red, White & Blue”. Rides, exhibits, farm animals, food and more.
Cost: Adults $8.00, Kids Free, Parking $10.00
More info: Visit website
DISCLAIMER: This guide will be updated frequently throughout the spring but please verify information before attending any of these activities.
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
