Santa Parade, Imaginarium light show and more: What to do in Sacramento this holiday season

Hanh Truong
·3 min read

The Sacramento area is hosting a handful of events this holiday season, bringing dazzling lights and festive cheer to the city.

If you’re looking for things to do with friends and family members or want to plan a holiday-themed date, here’s what to know:

Tran-Siberian Orchestra on tour

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is on its annual winter tour, “The Ghost of Christmas Eve.”

The rock band will perform two shows on Friday at the Golden 1 Center, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster, starting at $39.

Elk Grove presents free Illumination Holiday Festival

The fourth annual Illumination Holiday Festival returns to Elk Grove on Saturday with a winter wonderland-themed ice rink, carnival games, a bounce house for kids and a giant snow globe for photos.

Santa will also be there.

The event, which runs from 3 to 8 p.m. at 8230 Center Drive, is free and open to the public.

Elk Grove will host annual Illumination Festival this weekend. What can attendees expect?

Santa Parade returns to the Capitol

Santa Claus will return to downtown Sacramento as a part of the 40th annual Santa Parade.

The free parade kicks off 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at 14th and N streets by Capitol Park and winds through downtown Sacramento.

In addition to Santa and Mrs. Clause, the event will feature marching bands, including the Roseville High School Marching Band, as well as youth groups, costumed characters, horses and antique cars.

Santa Parade returns to Sacramento’s Capitol Park for 40th year. When, where to watch

Sacramento resident Sage For, 2, hugs LED penguins at the Imaginarium at the Cal Expo in Sacramento on in 2022.
Sacramento resident Sage For, 2, hugs LED penguins at the Imaginarium at the Cal Expo in Sacramento on in 2022.

See the ‘largest holiday light festival’ at the Imaginarium

The holiday season isn’t complete without festive sparkling lights and Christmas-themed displays at the Imaginarium.

The event runs through Jan. 7 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.

The 2023 Imaginarium will showcase more than 5 million lights, as well as a Fairytale Garden with 35,000 LED roses, Enchanted Fantasyland Forests with twinkling lights, colorful creatures and kaleidoscope Infinity Mirrors.

Guests can also meet Santa, skate at the ice rink and play carnival games and rides.

Tickets are available online with general admission starting at $25 on Monday through Thursday and $27 from Friday through Sunday.

The Imaginarium is open at 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and select Wednesdays, and 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The ‘largest holiday light festival’ returns to Sacramento this winter. See when and where

James Hubbard and Taylor Haendle, visiting from Yuba County, hold hands while taking laps around the rink at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink on K Street in 2021.
James Hubbard and Taylor Haendle, visiting from Yuba County, hold hands while taking laps around the rink at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink on K Street in 2021.

Ice skate at DoCo

The Downtown Commons shopping center is full of icy fun this season with the return of the skating rink at Ali Youssefi Square at Seventh and K streets.

On regular days, the rink will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It will be closed on Mondays. There are special holiday hours and events.

Tickets are $15 at the door, or, $8 for children 6 years old and under.

Downtown Sacramento ice rink returns with tickets under $20 and special events

Kids cover their ears as fireworks go off during the holiday tree lighting and first performance of Theatre of Lights of the season Nov. 22 in Old Sacramento.
Kids cover their ears as fireworks go off during the holiday tree lighting and first performance of Theatre of Lights of the season Nov. 22 in Old Sacramento.

See Old Sacramento Christmas tree and Theatre of Lights

A massive Christmas tree is gracing the Old Sacramento waterfront at the K Street between Front and Second street.

The white fir tree, which stands 60 feet tall and weighs 12,000 pounds, is adorned with thousands of lights, icicles and strobes.

There will be free holiday performances throughout December as a part of the 15th annual Theatre of Lights,

On Sacramento King game days that don’t coincide with the Theatre of Lights performances, the tree will be lit purple.

When will massive Christmas tree light up Old Sacramento?

Catch Santa in Natomas

Santa is coming to select places in Natomas this holiday season.

The Jolly Old Elf will visit Witter Ranch Park on Dec. 8, Garden Valley Elementary School on Dec. 14 and Jefferson Park on Dec. 15, in addition to other spots.

The free event is presented by Sacramento City Councilwoman Karina Talamantes. There will be hot cocoa and treats, Monika Lee, Talamantes’ chief of staff, said.

You can see Santa’s full itinerary on Talamantes’ Facebook page.

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