With the Downtown Ice Rink officially opening for its 30th season today, we wanted to take a look at four other events bringing winter-like wonder to Sacramento this holiday season.
Imaginarium: Light Up the Night | Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento | Friday, Nov. 18-Monday, Jan. 2 | $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, explore a wintery fantasy land, and lace up for the event’s brand new ice skating rink.
Theatre of Lights | Old Sacramento Waterfront | Wednesday, Nov. 23-Saturday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Free | This yearly attraction features a live-action retelling of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy. Pro tip: Arrive by 6 p.m. on opening night Wednesday, Nov. 23 to see the lighting of the event’s 60-ft Christmas tree.
Dickens Street Faire | Old Town Elk Grove Plaza, 9615 Railroad St., Elk Grove | Saturday Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free | Usher in the yuletide season with this annual tradition, held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Mingle with elves, peruse holiday wares, sing Christmas carols, and meet the Clauses for story time and hot cocoa.
Enchant Sacramento | Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Jan. 1 | $20-$34 | The national Christmas light extravaganza makes its way to the Sacramento region for the first time, with a story-themed maze that tasks visitors to recover eight lost presents for an elf and its reindeer friend. There’s also a Christmas market and a themed ice skating event that has you gliding through a forest of illuminated trees.
Need more? Be sure to check out the Christmas Lights in the Fab 40s, which you can tour by bike.