Festivals

• Imaginarium: Light Up the Night | Friday, Nov. 18-Monday, Jan. 2 | Times vary | Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento | $10-$35 | Brighten your holiday spirits with over 3 million individual Christmas lights as you explore a rose garden, hop on carnival rides like a lit-up ferris wheel, and more.

Holiday parties and events

• Dear Santa... I Can Explain | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Drake’s: The Barn, 985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento | $15-85 | Enjoy live entertainment and sip on hot chocolate while you prepare to tell St. Nick all the ways you’ve been good.
• Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 4:30 p.m. | 828 J St., Sacramento | $12-20 | Grab your friends and break out your holiday worst for this annual tradition.

NYE celebrations

• Sacramento New Year’s Eve Party 2023: Gatsby’s House | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J St., Sacramento | $99-$695 | “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”
• Surreal & Sequins ’23 NYE Ball | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | 1007 Seventh St., Sacramento | $50-$100 | Part fashion show, part art experience, all party.

Light displays

• Fab 40s Light Tours | Wednesday, Dec. 14-Friday, Dec. 30 | Times vary | Locations vary | $40-$425 | Hop on the Sac Brew Bike either alone or as part of a group and take a tour through one of the most iconic Sac neighborhoods.

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• MOSAC Nights: Volcanology | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, 400 Jibboom St., Sacramento | $25-$30 | Watch footage of active volcanoes erupting and learn about the global impact of the largest-recorded eruption since Krakatoa.
• “The Nutcracker” | Thursday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. | Harris Center, 10 College Pkwy, Folsom | $28-$46 | Clara and her nutcracker prince journey through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets in this timeless holiday classic.
• Ryan Niemiller: Live | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | Punch Line, 2100 Arden Way, Ste 225, Sacramento | $20-$25 | You may know Ryan Niemiller as the third place finalist from Season 14 of America’s Got Talent — don’t miss seeing his great timing and quick wit for yourself.*

• The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night | Friday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St., Sacramento | $18 | You’ll be feeling 22 while listening to music celebrating the pop star’s career.

• Art Spark at the Parker Art Studio | Saturday, Dec. 17-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 12-4 p.m. | Manetti Shrem Museum, 254 Old Davis Rd., Davis | Free | Enjoy this hands-on program that gives you a chance to play with a variety of visual techniques + mediums.

• 52º | Partly cloudy | 12% chance of rain ⛅️

• The Kings lost last night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers 123-103, giving them a record of 14-12. Domantas Sabonis led the team in scoring with 22 points. 🏀 (ESPN)

• This weekend only, the Ooley Theater will showcase a limited double-feature of “Mississippi Motel” and “A Naughty Christmas” — two locally written plays set during the holidays. For those unable to attend, the works can be livestreamed as well. 🎭 (Sac Bee)

• Comedian Jo Koy has announced he will make a stop at Golden 1 Center on Saturday, May 6, 2023, as part of his upcoming world tour. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 12 p.m. 🎤 (FOX40)

• After six years apart, Jessica Kinsey of West Sacramento has been reunited with her cat, Lily, thanks to a microchip implanted under the cat’s skin. The Sacramento SPCA brought the two back together after Lily was found last week. 🐈 (CBS News)

• Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state this season. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. 🏥 (Verywell Health)

• What gift is on the radar this season? City Editor Jordan is ready to sport this SAC trucker hat. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️

• How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

FedEx deadlines:

• Wednesday, Dec. 13 | FedEx Ground Economy
• Thursday, Dec. 21 | FedEx Home Delivery 2-Day
• Friday, Dec. 22 | FedEx Express Same Day

UPS deadlines:

• Tuesday, Dec. 19 | UPS 3-Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 | UPS Second Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 21 | UPS Next Day Air

United States Postal Service deadlines:

• Saturday, Dec. 16 | Ground Advantage service
• Saturday, Dec. 16 | First-Class Mail service
• Monday, Dec. 18 | Priority Mail service
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 | Priority Mail Express service