Sacramento Christmas Lights 2024

Sacramento is one of those cities where you don't have to look for winter holiday events to get into the Christmas spirit. Locals create some of the most lavish festive light displays in California. See it yourself as you walk or drive across the finest blocks with houses bathed in Christmas lights and music.

Fab Forties Christmas Lights

Set off to the famed East Sacramento neighborhood, known for the best holiday illumination in the city. In particular, discover the magic on 38th-47th streets between J St. and Folsom Blvd. Hence the name "The Fab Forties." The houses and trees of the neighborhood will be generously adorned with Christmas lights. Prepare to stroll around 20 blocks on a chilly winter night, so you might like to bundle up and take a coffee-to-go at one of the midtown coffee shops.

Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday Tree Lighting (November 27, 2024)

Browse Old Sacramento, which is nearly 3 miles (5 km) northwest of The Fab Forties. There, you'll find the city's official Christmas tree set up on K St. between Front St. and Second St. The 60-foot (18-m) tapered white fir tree will be decorated with 24,000 lights, 550 icicles, and 400 strobes. The lighting ceremony traditionally takes place around Thanksgiving Day, at about 6 pm. The district's Christmas tree and festive decor will sparkle daily till New Year's Day.

This year, in addition to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sacramento will once again host the Theatre of Lights. This free, family-friendly performance brings "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to life in a distinctly Sacramento fashion on the rooftops of the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The audience will be immersed in the sounds of celebrations as the 150-year-old building facades are illuminated with vibrant colors. The 20-minute show's highlight is a live dramatization on the balconies above K Street. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday, starting on Thanksgiving Eve, with no show on Thanksgiving.

Sacramento’s Polar Express (November 16–December 22, 2024)

Visitors can continue a magical family evening with Christmas lights at the passenger station, where lively Polar Express characters entertain before boarding the train to the North Pole. Onboard, enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat from the hot chocolate chefs. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa himself boards the train to present each passenger with the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell. Departures are from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Tuesday through Sunday, with departures at 3:30 pm, 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm.

Ticket options include First Class at $100–$110 and Coach Class at $80–$85 per passenger, with all fees included. Children under 2 can ride free on an adult's lap. Each train is composed of seven historic cars pulled by vintage locomotives from the California State Railroad Museum's collection.

Imaginarium Holiday Light Festival (November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025)

The largest holiday lights event in Sacramento lures Christmas spirit seekers to Cal Expo. The festival is called Imaginarium and boasts over 5 million lights. Some of the most captivating displays include Enchanted Fantasyland Forests, the Fairytale Garden, and Infinity Mirrors. Beyond the illuminations, Imaginarium offers an array of entertainment, ranging from ice skating, carnival rides, and games to live entertainment and circus shows.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but since Imaginarium events often sell out quickly, visitors are encouraged to buy tickets online. General Admission tickets for adults start at $25. Imaginarium typically operates from Thursday to Sunday. Gates open at 5 pm, and closing times are 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Note that the schedule may vary depending on the date and weather.

Pebble Creek Christmas Lights

The Greater Sacramento area, or Sacramento–Roseville, is no less charming during the holiday season. Take a short drive to Rocklin, 23 miles (37 km) northeast of downtown Sacramento, and find the mesmerizing Pebble Creek Drive at Strand Rd. The street residents cunningly decorate their houses with hundreds of handcrafted Disney and Christmas characters. Some also turn on classic Christmas tunes and offer hot cocoa for only $1 that goes to charity. Enjoy the wonderland while being respectful of other vehicles moving in the opposite direction—turn off the headlights when you enter Pebble Creek.

Most of the street residents don't start decorating until the day after Thanksgiving. Some residents start a little earlier due to the size of their display. Since the neighborhood is done 100% voluntarily, there is no official date for the Christmas Lights extravaganza. The unofficial start date typically is December 1st.

Arcadian Village Lights (December 1-31, 2024)

Also, if you take a southward direction to Elk Grove, you might discover another Christmas gem at Arcadian Village. Go to 8486 Mainstay Ct, and you'll see the house decked out in 80,000 lights! Tune to 107.9 FM and enjoy a synchronized show of reindeer and penguins dancing to 22 festive songs. Sunday through Thursday, the lights go on from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, while Friday and Saturday offer extended hours till 11 pm and also seasonal treats, such as candy canes.

Dovewood Court Lights

For over 35 years, Dovewood Court has been a festive hotspot, drawing thousands of visitors each holiday season to admire its lavish light displays and decorations. Whether walking through the court or enjoying the view from your car, it's a holiday experience to remember. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to contribute, as Food for Families will be collecting donations throughout the event. Bundle up and enjoy the magic!

After all, feel free to explore other neighborhoods in and around Sacramento to discover some hidden treasures.