Sacramento’s holiday season does not fit on one weekend. Between the week before Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the region stacks up tree lightings, Santa breakfasts, train rides, juried markets, ice rinks and a free fireworks show on the Old Sacramento waterfront.
This calendar pulls every 2026 holiday event Sacramento Life and Living has covered into one place, in date order, with the date, the venue and whether it costs anything. Each name links to the full guide with times, parking and ticket details.
Before Thanksgiving
- ELF The Musical | Nov. 4–8 | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. Eight shows in five days, including a 10 a.m. Sunday performance that suits younger kids.
- The Wiz | Nov. 12–15 | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. A family musical rather than a Christmas show, with four performances only.
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party | Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. Buy parking with the tickets online to skip the day-of kiosk fee.
- Mountain Mandarin Festival | Nov. 20–22 | The Grounds, Roseville | Paid. General admission is $14; the Friday special drops it to $8 for everyone 11 and up.
Thanksgiving Week
- Folsom Turkey Trot and Run to Feed the Hungry | Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26 | Folsom (Rodeo Park) and East Sacramento (6000 J St.) | Paid. Two Thanksgiving morning 5K and 10K options; Run to Feed the Hungry benefits Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
- Thanksgiving dinner out | Nov. 26 | The Firehouse in Old Sacramento, Fleming’s in Roseville and others | Paid. The Firehouse runs 1–8 p.m. at $99 per adult and $45 per child 12 and under.
- Crocker Holiday Artisan Market | Nov. 27–29 | Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H St. | Paid. 105 juried artists; the $20 Friday pass is good all weekend, and Friday is the quietest day.
- MACC Winter Art Fest | Nov. 27–29 and Dec. 4–6, noon–5 p.m. | The MACC, Rancho Cordova | Free. A gallery-run market of local artists, next to the Mills Station light rail stop.
- A Very Fezzy Christmas | Opens Nov. 27, runs through Dec. 26 | The Sofia at B Street Theatre, Midtown | Paid. A world premiere comedy about Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol, recommended for ages 13 and up.
- Elk Grove Dickens Street Faire | Nov. 28, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Old Town Elk Grove | Free. More than 145 vendors by day, then the Holiday of Lights Parade and tree lighting at 6 p.m.
- Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold | Nov. 28, 2 p.m. | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. A single matinee of the audience-participation nativity whodunit.
- State Indian Museum Native Arts & Crafts Market | Nov. 28–29 | California State Indian Museum, 2618 K St. | Paid. Covered by regular museum admission ($5 adults); street parking is free on Sunday.
- Calidanza Presents Navidades | Nov. 29, 4 p.m. | SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center | Paid. A Mexican Christmas program from Sacramento’s own folklórico company.
- Tower of Power: Holidays & Hits | Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. The Bay Area horn band’s holiday tour, with a limited VIP soundcheck option.
Early December
- Roseville Downtown Holiday Celebration | Dec. 2–4 | The Square, downtown Roseville | Free. Tree Grove Wednesday, a free tree lighting Thursday, and a $12 North Pole Tavern tasting Friday.
- When Martha Met Kris and A Christmas Carol | Dec. 2–27 and Dec. 4–27 | The Sofia at B Street Theatre, Midtown | Paid. Two different December plays on two stages in the same building.
- A Night Before Christmas | Dec. 3, 6 p.m. | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. A one-night dance performance by Folsom Lake College and MOSAIC Dance Company.
- Historic Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 4, 6–9 p.m. | Sutter Street and the Ice Rink Plaza, Folsom | Free. Santa, live music and the tree lighting on Sutter Street; the Gold Line ends at Historic Folsom Station.
- The Carpenters Songbook: At Christmas | Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. | Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom | Paid. About two hours and 20 minutes with intermission.
- Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour | Dec. 4–6 | Fabulous Forties, East Sacramento | Paid. Five decorated homes; advance tickets are $40, $5 less than at the door.
- Hanukkah in Sacramento | Begins at nightfall Dec. 4, ends Dec. 12 | Folsom and the State Capitol | Free and paid. The guide covers Chanukah Wonderland in Folsom and the Capitol Menorah lighting; confirm their 2026 dates with the organizers before going.
- Rocklin Holiday Tree Lighting | Dec. 5, 4–7 p.m. | Quarry Park, Rocklin | Free. An artisan market and food trucks in the old granite quarry, with the lighting around 6:45 p.m.
- Roseville Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 5, seatings at 8, 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. | Mahany Fitness Center, Roseville | Paid. $20 per person, adults included; the 8 a.m. seating is sensory-friendly.
- Elk Grove Illumination Holiday Festival | Dec. 5, 3–9 p.m. | The Center at District56, Elk Grove | Free. Tree lighting at 6 p.m.; arrive before 5 p.m. for easy parking.
- Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus Holiday HITS! | Dec. 5, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | Paid. The upper tiers have no elevator or ramp access, so mention mobility needs when booking.
- Pink Martini All-Stars: A Season of Stars | Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. | Mondavi Center, UC Davis | Paid. With vocalists Ari Shapiro, Edna Vázquez and Jimmie Herrod.
- Fairytale Town Winter Wonderland | Dec. 5–6 and 12–13, 1–7 p.m. | Fairytale Town, Land Park | Paid. $15 in advance (deadline Dec. 4), $18 at the gate; snowfall every night at 6 p.m.
- Sacramento Holiday Cruise | Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 | Old Sacramento waterfront | Paid. Daytime river cruises with a cookie and hot cocoa included.
- Victorian Christmas | Sundays Dec. 6, 13, 20 and Wednesdays Dec. 9, 16 | Downtown Nevada City | Free. Free to walk; the shuttle is $8 for adults and free for anyone in Victorian costume.
Mid December
- Rocklin Gingerbread House Contest | Dec. 10 | Rocklin Event Center | Free. Free to view the entries; competitors register through the city.
- A Christmas Carol (Broadway musical) | Dec. 11–20 | UC Davis Health Pavilion, downtown | Paid. Twelve performances; Dec. 11 is open captioned and Dec. 20 is sign interpreted.
- Sacramento Ballet: The Nutcracker | Dec. 12–24 | SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center | Paid. No on-site parking; reserve a downtown garage spot ahead of time.
- Sacramento SantaCon | Dec. 12, 6–11 p.m. | Starts at KBAR, Downtown Commons | Paid. A 21+ costume bar crawl; check-in closes at 10 p.m.
- Rocklin Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 12 | Rocklin Event Center | Paid. A Boy Scout Troop 29 fundraiser.
- Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King | Dec. 13, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Delta King, Old Sacramento | Paid. $45 adults, $25 children; reservations by phone.
- Santa Hustle Roseville | Dec. 13 | Vernon Street Town Square, Roseville | Paid. Half marathon, 10K, 5K and a kids dash on a flat course.
- Glenn Miller Orchestra: In the Christmas Mood | Dec. 14, 7 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | Paid. Tickets run $77–$100.
- Peter and the Wolf & The Nutcracker Sweet | Dec. 17–20 | Woodland Opera House | Paid. A short holiday double bill aimed at kids 10 and under, about 25 minutes from Sacramento.
- A Chanticleer Christmas | Dec. 18, 7 p.m. | Fremont Presbyterian Church, East Sacramento | Paid. General admission starts at $48; the balcony is stairs only.
- Christmas with CeCe Winans | Dec. 18, 7 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | Paid. The last stop of her December tour, with Angie and Debbie Winans.
- Candlelight: Christmas Classics and Christmas Carols on Strings | Dec. 18–20 | California State Railroad Museum; also the Guild Theater on Dec. 19 | Paid. Hour-long candlelit string sets; late-December shows tend to sell out early.
Christmas Week
- Cars and Cocoa With Santa | Dec. 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | California Automobile Museum | Paid. Santa photos in a vintage fire truck, included with museum admission ($14 adults, free for kids 5 and under).
- Kwanzaa Capitol Park Kickoff | Dec. 26, 11:30 a.m. | California State Capitol Park | Free. The opening-day gathering for Kwanzaa’s 60th year.
- Greater Sacramento Kwanzaa Unity Celebration | Dec. 26, 4:30–7:30 p.m. | Rancho Cordova City Hall | Free. Agriculture exhibits, Pan African food and cultural programs; confirm on Eventbrite before going.
New Year’s
- Kwanzaa Ujima Celebration | Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m. | Old Sacramento Waterfront | Check the listing. The third-day observance of collective work and responsibility.
- Countdown on the Cobblestones | Dec. 31, 5–10 p.m. | Old Sacramento Waterfront | Free. Fireworks go off at 9 p.m., not midnight, so it works for families.
- Rock the Yacht NYE Cruise | Dec. 31, boards 10 p.m. | Old Sacramento Waterfront | Paid. The midnight option, cruising 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- First Day Hikes and New Year's Day outings | Jan. 1 | State parks and the American River Parkway | Free (park and parking fees may apply). Guided ranger hikes statewide, and bald eagles along the parkway in winter.
All Season: Lights, Rinks, and Tree Farms
- Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink | Nov. 4 – Jan. 18 | 7th and K streets | Paid. $15 adults with skates; open 10 a.m.–10 p.m. daily Nov. 20–29 and Dec. 18–Jan. 3.
- Historic Folsom Ice Rink | Nov. 7 – Jan. 18 | Sutter Street Plaza, Folsom | Paid. 90-minute sessions, $22.24 for adults with skate rental; tickets online only.
- The Polar Express Train Ride | Nov. 13 – Dec. 21 | California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento | Paid. Coach seats from $80; no refunds, no strollers and no restrooms on the train.
- Luminiscence | Nov. 19 – Jan. 2, select evenings | Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, downtown | Paid. A 360-degree projection show with a live choir, tickets from $29.
- Theatre of Lights | Fridays–Sundays from Thanksgiving Eve through Dec. 24 | K Street, Old Sacramento | Free. A 20-minute live show on the building balconies; the season is expected to open Nov. 25, with confirmed dates at downtownsac.org.
- Candy Cane Lane | Thanksgiving night through New Year’s Day (traditional) | S Street between 53rd and 54th, Elmhurst | Free. Walk-through light tunnels that work well with strollers.
- Dovewood Court | Evenings in December; residents post dates | Orangevale | Free. Eight houses on one cul-de-sac, about a 15-minute walk.
- Magical Christmas Train | Select weekends, late November through Christmas | West Sacramento | Paid. An hour-long pajama ride ending at Santa’s Village; dates at riverfoxtrain.com.
- Christmas tree farms | From the day after Thanksgiving | Sloughhouse and Foresthill | Paid. Davis Ranch charges a flat $47.99 per tree; the Foresthill farms close in rain or snow.
- Gold River Sunday Market | Sundays through Dec. 27 (no market Nov. 29), 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Gold River Town Centre | Free. Local vendors for handmade gifts.
- Skiing and snow near Sacramento | Sugar Bowl targets Nov. 27 to open | Lake Tahoe resorts | Paid. Buy lift tickets online; window prices run 20–40% higher.
- Holiday card photo spots | Any day | Capitol Park, Tower Bridge, Old Sacramento and more | Free. Five local backdrops; the American River Parkway charges $8 per car.
Dates Still to Be Announced
- Imaginarium | Typically mid-November through early January | Cal Expo | Paid. Lights across ten acres plus a covered rink; check calexpo.com for 2026 dates.
- Sacramento Hmong New Year | Typically a late November or early December weekend | Cal Expo | Paid. One of the largest Hmong New Year celebrations in the country; bring cash for food.
- Sacramento Lighted Boat Parade | Typically the first or second Saturday of December | Sacramento River, Old Sacramento | Free. Boats pass Old Sacramento roughly 5:45 to 7 p.m.
- California Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting | Typically a weekday evening in early December | State Capitol | Free. The ornaments are made by Californians with developmental disabilities.
- Sacramento Santa Parade | A daytime December event; 2026 date not posted | Capitol Mall | Free to watch. Pair it with an evening Theatre of Lights show.
Free Holiday Events
None of these charge admission:
- Elk Grove Dickens Street Faire (Nov. 28)
- MACC Winter Art Fest (Nov. 27–29, Dec. 4–6)
- Roseville tree lighting (Dec. 3)
- Historic Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 4)
- Rocklin Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec. 5)
- Elk Grove Illumination Holiday Festival (Dec. 5)
- Victorian Christmas, Nevada City (Dec. 6–20)
- Kwanzaa at Capitol Park and Rancho Cordova (Dec. 26)
- Countdown on the Cobblestones (Dec. 31)
- Theatre of Lights (weekends from Thanksgiving Eve)
- Candy Cane Lane (all season)
- Dovewood Court (December evenings)
- Gold River Sunday Market (Sundays)
Bottom Line
The busiest stretch is the first weekend of December: on Dec. 5 alone, Rocklin, Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairytale Town, Memorial Auditorium and the Mondavi Center all have holiday events. Thanksgiving weekend comes second, with three markets and the Dickens Street Faire. Book the paid shows early: the Polar Express is one of the most sought-after holiday tickets in the region, and late-December Candlelight concerts have been selling out well in advance. The free events need no ticket, only an early arrival for parking.
Times and prices come from each event’s full guide. Check the organizer’s site before heading out, especially for the events still waiting on 2026 dates.
