Sacramento’s holiday options fill up faster than most people expect, and the ones on the water are easy to overlook. Two events along the Old Sacramento waterfront this December offer something different from the usual market strolls and light displays: a morning of breakfast and Santa on the Delta King, and six weekends of daytime holiday cruises down the Sacramento River with City Cruises. Neither requires a reservation far in advance, but the Delta King morning fills early — here’s what to know before you book.
Sacramento Holiday Cruise
City Cruises runs its Sacramento Holiday Cruise on six weekend days in December: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20. Departures run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with the boat leaving from the Old Sacramento waterfront on the Sacramento River.
The cruise is a daytime experience on the water — a good fit for families looking for something that doesn’t run past bedtime, or anyone who wants a quiet afternoon away from the mall circuit. Each ticket includes a complimentary cookie and hot cocoa. Tickets are available at cityexperiences.com/sacramento or by calling 855-253-7935.
The boarding area is at the Old Sacramento waterfront near 1000 Front Street — the same stretch of riverfront where the Delta King is moored. Street parking is available in Old Sacramento at pay kiosks throughout the district. Capitol Garage at 10th and L Streets is roughly a 12-minute walk and typically has better availability on busy December weekends. Old Sacramento is also a short walk from the Sacramento Valley Station, served by the Blue Line and Gold Line light rail.
Breakfast With Santa on the Delta King
The Delta King is the historic paddle-wheel sternwheeler permanently moored at 1000 Front Street in Old Sacramento — originally a Gold Rush-era passenger vessel, now a hotel and restaurant that sits on the river year-round. On December 13, the boat hosts Breakfast with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Adults pay $45 and children pay $25. The ticket includes breakfast, a hot cocoa bar, specialty mocktails, and dedicated time with Santa Claus. Adult beverages are available for purchase separately. The event is ticketed and seats are limited — this is the type of morning that books out in early November, particularly for families who want a specific time with Santa.
The setting is a genuine advantage here. Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King takes place entirely onboard the sternwheeler, which means the boat itself is part of the experience — the wood-paneled interior, the river views, and a venue that doesn’t look like a convention center or a department store event space. For kids who’ve been to Santa in a mall, the boat is noticeably different.
For reservations and any questions about the December 13 event, contact the Delta King directly at 916-444-8052.
New Year’s Eve on the Water
If the holidays slip by before you can get on the water in December, there’s a third option: the Rock the Yacht New Year’s Eve Cruise on December 31, running from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The cruise rings in 2027 on the Sacramento River with entertainment and waterfront views. Ticket pricing was not listed at press time — check oldsacramento.com/events or cityexperiences.com/sacramento for current availability and pricing.
The Details
- Sacramento Holiday Cruise: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Complimentary cookie and hot cocoa included. Tickets at cityexperiences.com/sacramento or 855-253-7935. Boards at Old Sacramento waterfront, 1000 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
- Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King: December 13 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults $45, children $25. Includes breakfast, hot cocoa bar, and time with Santa. Reservations at 916-444-8052. Address: Delta King, 1000 Front Street, Old Sacramento, CA 95814.
- New Year’s Eve Rock the Yacht Cruise: December 31 — 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Check cityexperiences.com/sacramento or oldsacramento.com/events for pricing and tickets.
- Parking: Pay kiosks throughout Old Sacramento. Capitol Garage (10th & L Streets) is a 12-minute walk with better weekend availability than street parking near the waterfront.
- Light rail: Sacramento Valley Station on the Blue and Gold Lines is a short walk to the Old Sacramento waterfront. Check sacrt.com for current schedules.
Bottom Line
Old Sacramento’s holiday calendar centers on the waterfront this December. The Sacramento Holiday Cruise runs six weekend days and is the most accessible option — a casual daytime ride on the river with a cookie and hot cocoa in hand. Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King on December 13 is the more structured event, with the historic sternwheeler providing a setting that stands apart from standard Sacramento holiday fare. Both are worth the trip, and neither requires fighting for a parking spot inside a shopping mall structure. Book the Delta King early — the December 13 morning tends to fill well before the date.
More Sacramento holiday guides:
The Best Sacramento Christmas Events in 2026
Sacramento Christmas Lights 2026: Fab 40s, Dovewood Court & More
The Magical Christmas Train in Sacramento 2026
