# Sacramento Christmas Events for Kids > Holiday trains, the Nutcracker, where to see Santa, tree lightings and parades by town, Christmas markets and cut-your-own tree farms around Sacramento, with 2026 dates where they’re posted. Sacramento’s biggest Christmas events for kids in 2026 are the Polar Express train from Old Sacramento (Nov 13–Dec 21, from $80 a seat), Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker (Dec 12–24, with a sensory-friendly show Dec 16), the free Theatre of Lights on K Street on weekend nights from Thanksgiving Eve, and free tree lightings in Roseville and Fair Oaks (Dec 3), Folsom (Dec 4) and Elk Grove (Dec 5). Below are 27 events by kind, including Santa visits, parades, markets and tree farms. By Summerground, updated October 13, 2026. ## At a glance - Polar Express tickets went on sale Sept 18. The museum says First Class sells out first and there’s no waitlist, though cancellations are sometimes posted. - Free and no tickets: Old Sacramento’s Theatre of Lights, the tree lightings in Roseville, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova, and the Southside Santa Parades. - Sign-ups to watch: Fair Oaks Santa Stops open Nov 2 at 9 a.m., and Roseville posts its Neighborhood Santa routes by Nov 1. - Not posted yet: the 2026 dates for Theatre of Lights, the Sacramento Santa Parade (2025: Sat Dec 13, 10 a.m.) and Placerville’s Hangtown Christmas Parade. ## 27 Christmas events for kids around Sacramento Grouped by kind, with towns in each entry. Every 2026 date comes from the event’s own page or its city’s, read in mid-October 2026; where only last year’s dates are up, we say so. Holiday plans change with weather, so check the morning of. For drive-by displays and light shows, see [Christmas lights in Sacramento](https://summerground.com/guides/christmas-lights-sacramento); for rinks, [ice skating in Sacramento](https://summerground.com/guides/ice-skating-sacramento). ### Christmas train rides near Sacramento The Polar Express is the Sacramento Christmas train most families mean, and it’s sold by the seat. Elk Grove’s free Illumination Festival (Dec 5) also has rides on its Grover Express Holiday Train. #### 1. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, California State Railroad Museum Old Sacramento · 930 Front St, Sacramento, CA The museum’s licensed Polar Express starts with a stage show in the Central Pacific Passenger Station 35 minutes before departure, then rides about an hour to the North Pole, where Santa boards and gives every passenger a silver sleigh bell. Hot chocolate and a treat are served aboard. Tickets are online only and final; First Class usually sells out first, and there’s no waitlist. No strollers aboard and no restrooms on the train, and it isn’t fully wheelchair accessible. - When: Nov 13–Dec 21, 2026, Wed–Mon after Thanksgiving; 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. - Cost: Coach $80–$85, First Class $100–$110 a seat; under 2 free on a lap - About an hour aboard - Santa and a silver sleigh bell - Arrive an hour early - Free sensory bags at ticketing - Website: https://www.californiarailroad.museum/events/polar-express/ #### 2. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Railtown 1897 Jamestown Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown runs the same licensed ride: an hour to the North Pole, where Santa comes aboard and hands each passenger a silver sleigh bell. It’s coach seating only, on weekends, and went on sale the same day as Sacramento’s. Jamestown is roughly a two-hour drive from Sacramento. All sales are final. - When: Nov 27–Dec 20, 2026, Fri–Sun; 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. - Cost: Coach $85 a seat; under 2 free on a lap - Coach seating only - Weekends only - No refunds or exchanges - Website: https://www.railtown1897.org/events/polar #### 3. Magical Christmas Train, River Fox Train West Sacramento (Elkhorn) · 18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento, CA 95691 River Fox Train’s holiday ride boards at Elkhorn Station off I-5 (exit 531). Elves lead a letter-writing activity and a song, everyone gets hot cocoa and a cookie, and Santa comes aboard, though each visit may be brief. Infants ride on a lap. A VIP upgrade adds front-of-line boarding, a snow globe, an ornament kit and a souvenir mug. Board 30 minutes early: missed rides aren’t refunded. - When: Holiday season; 2026 dates are on its booking calendar - Hot cocoa and a cookie - Letters to Santa on board - Infants ride on a lap - VIP upgrade available - Website: https://www.riverfoxtrain.com/experiences/magical-christmas-train/ ### The Nutcracker in Sacramento Buy through the company’s own site or box office. Most other sites selling Nutcracker tickets are resellers. #### 4. Nutcracker, Sacramento Ballet Downtown Sacramento · 1301 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker plays the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera playing Tchaikovsky live and more than 250 young local dancers on stage. It runs about two hours with one intermission. Shows: Dec 12, 19, 22 and 23 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec 13, 20 and 24 at 2 p.m.; Dec 18 at 7 p.m. The theater has no parking of its own, so book a garage through SacPark. - When: Dec 12–24, 2026; sensory-friendly show Wed Dec 16 at 1 p.m. - Live orchestra - About 2 hours with intermission - Sensory-friendly show Dec 16 - Code CLARA26 for that show - Student matinees for school groups - Website: https://www.sacballet.org/events/nutcracker/ - Phone: 916-552-5810 #### 5. Christmas Angels & Nutcracker Suite, Sac Civic Ballet Sacramento Sac Civic Ballet, a pre-professional company for young dancers based in Sacramento since 1996, pairs its Nutcracker Suite with The Christmas Angels each December. The 2026 performances are Dec 19 and 20, but its site hadn’t posted the theater, times or ticket prices by mid-October, so check back in November. In 2025 the shows were Dec 20 and 21. - When: Dec 19–20, 2026; theater and times not posted yet - Pre-professional company - Student dancers - Theater not posted yet - Website: https://www.saccivicballet.org/nutcracker.html ### Where to see Santa around Sacramento Santa also comes to the tree lightings below, and Folsom’s police officers’ association has toured neighborhoods in a Santa sleigh for decades. Malls such as Westfield Galleria at Roseville hadn’t posted 2026 Santa hours by mid-October. #### 6. Santa’s Christmas Cottage, Historic Folsom Folsom The Historic Folsom district says Santa’s Cottage will have a full calendar of activities from Thanksgiving through Dec 23, and Santa moves in after riding down Sutter Street at the Dec 4 tree lighting. In past seasons the cottage has had letter writing to Santa, story time, card making and crafts, and an evening reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with Sutter Street Theatre. At the 2025 lighting, families took photos with their own cameras or phones. - When: Thanksgiving to Dec 23; 2026 hours not posted yet - Letters to Santa - Story time and crafts - Bring your own camera - Website: https://christmasinfolsom.com/ #### 7. Neighborhood Santa, City of Roseville Roseville Each December the City of Roseville sends Santa through its neighborhoods on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. In 2026 that’s Dec 8 to 17, and the city says routes and details will be posted by Nov 1, so you can see which night he’ll pass your street. The city’s downtown tree lighting is listed below. - When: Tue–Thu evenings, Dec 8–17, 2026; routes posted by Nov 1 - Routes posted by Nov 1 - Tuesday to Thursday evenings - Website: https://www.roseville.ca.gov/programs_events/neighborhood_santa.php #### 8. Santa Stops, Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District Fair Oaks The park district sends Santa to residents’ homes on Dec 7 and 8, between 4 and 8:15 p.m.; you need to be home for the whole window on your night, and a stop covers up to eight people. Santa visits Fair Oaks residents only. Families from elsewhere can pre-register to see him at Fair Oaks Park on Dec 7. Registration opens Nov 2, 2026 at 9 a.m. - When: Dec 7–8, 2026, 4–8:15 p.m.; sign-up opens Nov 2 at 9 a.m. - Cost: $40 a home visit (up to 8 people), plus fees - Fair Oaks residents only - Others: Fair Oaks Park, Dec 7 - Up to 8 people a stop - Website: https://www.forpd.org/456/Santa-Stops #### 9. Southside Santa Parades South Sacramento Councilmember Caity Maple’s District 5 office brings Santa to six stops, with free family photos with Santa and a hot cocoa stand. Dec 19: Mack Road Community Center at 5 p.m., Phoenix Park at 5:45, Woodbine Park at 6:35. Dec 20: McClatchy Park at 5, Mater Dei Catholic School at 5:50, Argonaut Park at 6:30. Arrive early for cocoa before Santa gets there. - When: Dec 19–20, 2026, 5–7:30 p.m., at six neighborhood stops - Cost: Free - Free photos with Santa - Hot cocoa - Six stops over two nights - Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southside-santa-parades-2026-tickets-1999734137637 - Phone: 916-808-7005 #### 10. Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King Old Sacramento · 1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814 The historic Delta King riverboat on the Old Sacramento waterfront serves breakfast with Santa, a hot cocoa bar and mocktails; adult drinks cost extra. In 2025 there was also a letters-to-Santa table, and families took their own photos. The Delta King is ADA accessible. - When: Sun Dec 13, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. - Cost: $45 adults 13+, $25 kids 12 and under, before tax and tip - Hot cocoa bar - On a historic riverboat - ADA accessible - Website: https://oldsacramento.com/event/breakfast-with-santa/ ### Tree lightings and Christmas parades by town Sacramento first, then Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks and Placerville. All free to watch. #### 11. Tree Lighting and Theatre of Lights, Old Sacramento Waterfront Old Sacramento Old Sacramento lights its 60-foot tree on K Street on Thanksgiving Eve (2025: performances from 5:30 p.m., tree lit at 6, first show 6:15). Theatre of Lights, a 20-minute ’Twas the Night Before Christmas told with Sacramento history, plays on the balconies Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 6:30, plus Dec 23 and 24. It’s returning in 2026; dates weren’t posted by mid-October. Park in the Old Sacramento or Tower garages. - When: Fri–Sun nights, Thanksgiving Eve to Dec 24 (2025: from Nov 26) - Cost: Free - Free - 20-minute show - Jack Frost and St. Nick - Shows Friday to Sunday - Website: https://www.downtownsac.org/downtown-sac-experiences/theatre-of-lights/ #### 12. Sacramento Santa Parade Downtown Sacramento Sacramento’s Santa Parade has marched around the State Capitol in Capitol Park since 1983, with high school bands, civic and youth groups, and Santa himself. The 2025 parade, its 42nd, was Saturday, Dec 13, in the morning; the 2026 date wasn’t posted by mid-October. Mix 96 sponsors it. The 2024 parade was canceled for a storm, so check the morning of. - When: A Saturday morning in December (2025: Dec 13); 2026 not posted - Cost: Free - Free - Saturday morning in recent years - Around the Capitol - Website: https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-santa-parade-continues-to-march-along/69714252 #### 13. Downtown Roseville Christmas Tree Lighting and Tree Grove Roseville · 311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678 Roseville’s Downtown Holiday Celebration fills Vernon Street Town Square. On Dec 2 the Tree Grove, decorated by local businesses, groups and schools, lights up, with crafts, music, Santa and vendors. On Dec 3 the city tree is lit at about 6:10 p.m., with cookie decorating, Santa, a kids’ activity zone, music and food trucks; the city says it may even snow. Gingerbread House Contest entries are on show Dec 2–11 in the lobby at 316 Vernon St. - When: Tree Grove Wed Dec 2, 6–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting Thu Dec 3, 6–8 p.m., 2026 - Cost: Free - Free - Tree lit about 6:10 p.m. - Gingerbread houses Dec 2–11 - Website: https://www.roseville.ca.gov/programs_events/downtown_holiday_celebration.php - Phone: 916-772-7529 #### 14. Santa Hustle Roseville Roseville Santa Hustle’s holiday races start and finish at Vernon Street Town Square: a half marathon, 10K and 5K, plus a 1K Kids Dash for kids 12 and under. Kids get a Santa hat and beard, a long-sleeve shirt, a bib and a finisher medal, and a parent can run alongside for free. Prices include fees and rise in steps: the 5K is $68.40 in October and $73.70 from Nov 1 to Dec 6. - When: Sun Dec 13, 2026; Kids Dash at 7:30 a.m. - Cost: Kids Dash $36.60 through Dec 6, $41.91 after; 5K from $68.40 - Ages: Kids Dash: 12 and under - 1K Kids Dash - Santa hat and beard for kids - Parents run along free - Website: https://santahustle.com/roseville/ #### 15. Illumination Holiday Festival and Holiday Lights Parade Elk Grove · 8230 Civic Center Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 Elk Grove’s free festival at District56 has a holiday vendor village, bounce houses, ice skating, rides on the Grover Express Holiday Train, food trucks and photos with Santa, then the lighting of the city’s Ribbon Tree. The city’s calendar lists the Elk Grove Lions Club’s Holiday Lights Parade around District56 at 6 p.m. the same night. The Lions’ own page lists Nov 28 instead, so check closer to the date. - When: Sat Dec 5, 2026, 3–8 p.m.; parade at 6 p.m. - Cost: Free - Free - Ice skating - Grover Express holiday train - Photos with Santa - Website: https://elkgrove.gov/event/2026-illumination-holiday-festival/december-05-2026-0300pm #### 16. Historic Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting Folsom Folsom lights its community tree in the Historic Folsom Ice Rink Plaza while Sutter Street becomes a Christmas village, with visits with Santa, kids’ activities, school and community performances and sponsor booths. In 2025 Santa rode down Sutter Street just before 6 p.m. with the Folsom High marching band; parking was very limited, and the district pointed families to light rail. Palladio at Broadstone has its own free tree lighting with Santa on Sat Nov 21, 5–6 p.m. - When: Fri Dec 4, 2026, 6–9 p.m. - Cost: Free; ice skating extra - Free - Santa’s arrival parade - Skating needs a ticket - Light rail recommended - Website: https://historicfolsom.org/event/christmas-tree-lighting/ #### 17. Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting Rancho Cordova · 3141 Bridgeway Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 The Cordova Community Council’s tree lighting at Village Green Park has run for more than 25 years on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The 2025 lighting had hayrides, a live nativity, food trucks, Santa, train rides and snow, and ended with fireworks; in 2024 it ran from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The 2026 date wasn’t posted by mid-October. - When: Sunday after Thanksgiving (2025: Nov 30); 2026 not posted - Cost: Free - Free - Fireworks finale - Train rides and snow in 2025 - Website: https://www.ranchocordovaindependent.com/2025/12/02/556561/cordova-tree-lighting-fun-for-all #### 18. Fair Oaks Village Tree Lighting Fair Oaks The park district’s tree lighting fills Village Park, rain or shine. The 2026 schedule isn’t up yet; in 2025 there were photos with Santa, the Grinch and Elsa from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (lines closed at 6), kids’ crafts, a Festival of Trees, food trucks, hot cocoa, two bursts of snowfall and the tree lighting at 7 with community candles. Bring canned food for the food bank or new pajamas for the Kiwanis drive. - When: Thu Dec 3, 2026, 5–8 p.m. - Cost: Free - Free - Santa photos early (2025: 5–6:30) - Snowfall - Rain or shine - Website: https://www.forpd.org/278/Tree-Lighting #### 19. Hangtown Christmas Parade Placerville Placerville’s volunteer-run parade goes down Broadway and Main Street on the first Sunday of December. 2026 will be its 48th; the 2025 parade drew more than 200 entries, from marching bands and horses to floats and Santa. In recent years volunteers have handed out candy in goody bags along the route instead of throwing it. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Hometown Holidays lights the tree on Main Street (2025: Nov 28). - When: First Sunday in December, 1 p.m. (2025: Dec 7); 2026 not posted - Cost: Free - Free - 200+ entries in 2025 - Tree lighting the Friday after Thanksgiving - Website: https://www.hangtownchristmasparade.com/ ### Christmas markets in Sacramento The ARCC Christmas Market in Carmichael is taking 2026 off and plans to return in 2027. #### 20. Christkindlmarkt, Sacramento Turn Verein East Sacramento · 3349 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816 The Sacramento Turn Verein’s annual Christkindlmarkt, modeled on German Christmas markets, fills its J Street hall with local vendors, German food, cakes and cookies, Glühwein and music from a German choir and band. In 2025, its 25th year, Santa Claus and the Christkind appeared each day, and the market benefited Sacramento-area charities. - When: Sat Dec 5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sun Dec 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 2026 - Cost: $5 adults; under 15 free - Kids under 15 free - German food and cookies - Santa and the Christkind (2025) - Website: https://www.downtownsac.org/events/christkindlmarkt/ #### 21. Crocker Holiday Artisan Market Sacramento · 6151 H St, Sacramento, CA Running for 20 years, this fine-craft show brings local and regional artists to the Scottish Rite Center on Thanksgiving weekend: Friday noon to 5, Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 10 to 4, with free parking. A Friday ticket is good all weekend and a Saturday ticket for Saturday and Sunday. Its page gives adult prices only, so ask about children if you’re bringing them. - When: Nov 27–29, 2026 (Thanksgiving weekend) - Cost: Adults $20 Fri (all weekend), $15 Sat (Sat–Sun), $10 Sun - Free parking - Fine crafts - Thanksgiving weekend - Website: https://crockerholidayartisanmarket.com/ ### Christmas tree farms near Sacramento The nearest cut-your-own farms are east in Apple Hill (Camino and Placerville) and in the Placer and Nevada County foothills. Most open on or before Thanksgiving weekend. #### 22. Crystal Creek Tree Farm Camino (Apple Hill) · 2019 Cable Road, Camino, CA 95709 A family choose-and-cut farm and official Apple Hill grower, with groomed trees on 20 wooded acres: white, silver, Douglas, noble, Nordmann and grand firs, silver tip and blue spruce. Saws, packaging and help are provided. Bring a picnic and walk the nature paths to the frog pond and bear cave; leashed dogs are welcome. Call after Dec 1 to check what’s left. Cash or cards. - When: From Sat Nov 21, 2026, 9 a.m. to dusk; closed Thanksgiving - Cost: $125 any tree, $5 off with cash; tax and wrapping included - Saws provided - Leashed dogs welcome - Nature paths - Website: https://caminotrees.com/ - Phone: 530-417-6097 #### 23. Indian Rock Tree Farm Camino (Apple Hill) A family farm in Apple Hill since 1961, with choose-and-cut plantations and a fresh-cut section; saws and staff are provided. It opens Nov 27, 2026, Thursday to Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4:30), closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For Nov 27–29 only you need an entry reservation, because parking fills quickly. Hours can change with weather, so check its site the day you go. - When: From Fri Nov 27, 2026; Thu–Mon 8 a.m.–5 p.m. - Reservations Nov 27–29 only - Closed Tuesday and Wednesday - Saws and staff provided - Website: https://indianrocktreefarm.com/ #### 24. McGee Christmas Tree Farm Placerville (Apple Hill) · 3131 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667 McGee has grown trees in Apple Hill since 1952, on a 20-acre plantation of Douglas, white and noble firs and silvertips. Staff show you how to cut the tree you choose and lend the saws; you can’t bring your own. Cut trees are left to regrow from the stump. Take as many photos as you like; your cutter may even take a family picture. - When: From Nov 27, 2026, 8 a.m. to dusk - Cost: $145 cash, $150 card, any size; tax and packaging included - Farm saws only - One price, any size - Open Thanksgiving weekend - Website: https://mcgeechristmastreefarm.net/ - Phone: 530-644-4731 #### 25. Snowy Peaks Christmas Tree Farm Foresthill · 30100 Foresthill Rd, Foresthill, CA 95631 More than 55 acres of choose-and-cut white fir, silvertip and Douglas fir in the foothills east of Auburn, open Friday to Monday from the day after Thanksgiving. Staff pick your tree up in the field, net it and tie it down. Pre-cut noble and Nordmann firs from Oregon are kept in water, and wreaths and garland are for sale. Cash, checks and cards are taken. The posted price doesn’t name a year, so confirm it. - When: From the day after Thanksgiving; Fri–Mon 9 a.m.–5 p.m. - Cost: $13 a foot plus tax; fee for cards - 55 acres - Field pickup and netting - Pre-cut firs too - Website: https://snowypeaksfarm.net/ - Phone: 530-367-3766 #### 26. McBurney Tree Farm Grass Valley · 11197 Cedar Ridge Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 A small family-run farm 3 miles outside Grass Valley that has sold Christmas trees for nearly 70 years. Cut your own, or the staff will cut it for you. Early tree reservations opened Sept 26, on Fridays to Mondays from 9 to 5, and the farm opens daily from Nov 20. - When: Daily from Nov 20, 2026; reserve a tree Fri–Mon 9–5 until then - Reserve a tree early - Staff can cut it for you - Open daily from Nov 20 - Website: https://www.mcburneytreefarm.com/ - Phone: 530-273-2779 #### 27. Dazzler Farms Christmas Tree Lot Woodland · 23300 County Road 99D, Woodland, CA 95695 Not cut-your-own, but a tree lot on a farm by Highway 113 between Woodland and Davis, selling fresh-cut noble, Douglas and Nordmann firs from 2 to 15 feet, priced by size and type. Santa is there Nov 27, 28 and 29 and Dec 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open weekdays noon to 7 and weekends 9 to 7. GPS can be wrong: enter from County Road 29, turning north onto County Road 99D. - When: Nov 23–Dec 9, 2026; then to Dec 23 while trees last - Santa on four days - Trees 2 to 15 feet - Enter from County Road 29 - Website: https://www.dazzlerfarms.com/christmastrees - Phone: 530-867-4167 ## Sacramento Christmas events in 2026, by date Every date here is posted for 2026 on the event’s own page or its city’s. Check back for the ones still missing. *2026 dates as posted on each event’s page, checked Oct 13, 2026* | Date | Event | Where | Cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nov 13–Dec 21 | The Polar Express (Wed–Mon after Thanksgiving) | Old Sacramento | $80–$110 a seat | | Nov 21 | Palladio tree lighting with Santa, 5–6 p.m. | Folsom | Free | | From Nov 21 | Crystal Creek Tree Farm opens | Camino | $125 a tree | | Nov 27–29 | Crocker Holiday Artisan Market | Sacramento | $10–$20 adults | | From Nov 27 | Indian Rock and McGee tree farms open | Camino, Placerville | McGee $145–$150 | | Nov 27–Dec 20 | The Polar Express at Railtown 1897 (Fri–Sun) | Jamestown | $85 a seat | | Dec 2 | Tree Grove lighting | Roseville | Free | | Dec 3 | Downtown tree lighting; Fair Oaks Village tree lighting | Roseville; Fair Oaks | Free | | Dec 4 | Historic Folsom tree lighting | Folsom | Free | | Dec 5 | Illumination Festival, parade and Ribbon Tree | Elk Grove | Free | | Dec 5–6 | Christkindlmarkt | East Sacramento | $5 adults | | Dec 7–8 | Santa Stops (residents’ homes) | Fair Oaks | $40 a stop | | Dec 8–17 | Neighborhood Santa (Tue–Thu) | Roseville | Not listed | | Dec 12–24 | Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker | Downtown Sacramento | Prices not posted | | Dec 13 | Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King; Santa Hustle | Old Sacramento; Roseville | $25–$45; race fees | | Dec 16 | Sensory-friendly Nutcracker, 1 p.m. | Downtown Sacramento | Code CLARA26 | | Dec 19–20 | Southside Santa Parades; Sac Civic Ballet | South Sacramento; Sacramento | Free; not posted | **Not posted yet for 2026:** Old Sacramento’s tree lighting and Theatre of Lights (Thanksgiving Eve in past years, which would be Nov 25 this year), the Sacramento Santa Parade (2025: Sat Dec 13), Rancho Cordova’s tree lighting (the Sunday after Thanksgiving in past years) and Placerville’s Hangtown Christmas Parade (the first Sunday in December in past years). ## What sells out, and when to book Most of the free events need no tickets. These are the ones to plan for: - **The Polar Express.** Public sales opened Sept 18 at 9 a.m., online only. The museum says First Class usually sells out first, there’s no waitlist, and cancellations are sometimes posted on its site, so check its calendar more than once. Kids under 2 ride free on a lap. - **Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker.** Weekend matinees are the obvious family pick. Buy from the ballet’s site or its box office (916-552-5810); e-tickets arrive two days before the show. - **Fair Oaks Santa Stops.** Registration opens Nov 2, 2026 at 9 a.m. Non-residents pre-register for the Fair Oaks Park visit on Dec 7. - **Roseville’s Neighborhood Santa.** Routes go up by Nov 1; no sign-up is mentioned, just find your night. - **Indian Rock Tree Farm.** Entry reservations are required on Nov 27, 28 and 29 only. - **Breakfast with Santa on the Delta King.** Tickets are sold ahead through the Delta King’s ticket page, and groups can ask to sit together, up to 10 a table. > If the weekend you want is gone, try a weeknight: the Polar Express runs Wednesday to Monday, and the ballet plays twice on Tuesday, Dec 22, and Wednesday, Dec 23. ## Christmas events with little kids: what to know A few details from the events’ own pages that make the night easier: - **Restrooms and strollers.** The Polar Express has no restrooms on the train and no strollers aboard. Use the station before you board; the museum asks you to arrive an hour early. - **Sensory-friendly options.** Sacramento Ballet’s Dec 16 matinee keeps the house lights dim, lowers loud sounds, cuts strobes, has quiet areas and lets kids talk and move around; use code CLARA26. The Polar Express has free sensory bags at its ticket office but warns of loud horns, bells and strobe bursts. - **Wheelchairs.** The Polar Express cars have narrow doors and steep steps, and the crew can help with boarding only if no wheelchair is needed during the trip. The Delta King is ADA accessible. - **Parking.** The ballet’s theater has no lot (book through SacPark). Old Sacramento suggests its two garages at the edges of the district. Historic Folsom’s parking is very limited on lighting night, and the district points families to light rail. - **Photos.** At Folsom’s Santa Cottage and the Delta King breakfast, bring your own phone or camera. - **Weather.** Outdoor events here mostly go ahead rain or shine, but the 2024 Sacramento Santa Parade was canceled for a storm. Check the organizer’s page the morning of. Want a light show instead of a show? Our guide to [Christmas lights in Sacramento](https://summerground.com/guides/christmas-lights-sacramento) lists displays by town. ## Questions parents ask ### When is the Polar Express in Sacramento in 2026? The California State Railroad Museum’s Polar Express runs Nov 13 to Dec 21, 2026, from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 930 Front St in Old Sacramento. Trains leave at 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m., Wednesday to Monday after Thanksgiving and on select days in November (no 8 p.m. train on Dec 21). Coach seats are $80–$85 and First Class $100–$110, fees included; children under 2 ride free on a lap. Tickets are online only, and all sales are final. ### When is the Sacramento Ballet Nutcracker in 2026? Dec 12 to 24, 2026, at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Dec 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24, and evening shows at 7 p.m. on Dec 12, 18, 19, 22 and 23. A sensory-friendly performance is Wednesday, Dec 16, at 1 p.m. (promo code CLARA26). The show runs about two hours with one 15-minute intermission, with a live orchestra and more than 250 young local dancers. ### When is the Sacramento Santa Parade? The 2026 date hadn’t been posted by mid-October. The parade has been held on a Saturday morning in December in recent years: in 2025 it was Saturday, Dec 13, its 42nd year, circling the State Capitol in Capitol Park. It’s free to watch, with high school bands, youth and civic groups, and Santa. The 2024 parade was canceled for weather, so check the morning of. ### Where can I see Santa in Folsom? At the Historic Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 4, 2026 (6 to 9 p.m.), where Santa arrives down Sutter Street and has visits with families. The district says Santa’s Christmas Cottage has activities from Thanksgiving through Dec 23. Palladio at Broadstone’s tree lighting on Saturday, Nov 21 (5 to 6 p.m.) also has Santa. And the Folsom police officers’ association has toured neighborhoods with a Santa sleigh for decades; its 2026 routes weren’t posted by mid-October. ### When is the Old Sacramento tree lighting? It’s on Thanksgiving Eve each year, which would be Wednesday, Nov 25, in 2026, though the Downtown Sacramento Partnership hadn’t posted the 2026 schedule by mid-October. In 2025 community performances started at 5:30 p.m., the 60-foot tree on K Street was lit at 6, and the first free Theatre of Lights show followed at 6:15. After that, Theatre of Lights plays Friday to Sunday evenings through Christmas Eve. ### Is there a Christmas market in Sacramento? Yes. The Sacramento Turn Verein’s German-style Christkindlmarkt is Saturday, Dec 5 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, Dec 6 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), 2026, at 3349 J St; adults pay $5 and children under 15 get in free. On Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 27–29, the Crocker Holiday Artisan Market fills the Scottish Rite Center on H Street with fine crafts. The ARCC Christmas Market in Carmichael is off for 2026. ### Where can I cut my own Christmas tree near Sacramento? Most choose-and-cut farms are in Apple Hill and the foothills. In Camino, Crystal Creek Tree Farm opens Nov 21 ($125 any tree) and Indian Rock Tree Farm opens Nov 27 (reservations needed Thanksgiving weekend). McGee Christmas Tree Farm in Placerville opens Nov 27 ($145 cash). Farther out are Snowy Peaks in Foresthill and McBurney Tree Farm near Grass Valley. Closer in, Dazzler Farms between Woodland and Davis sells fresh-cut trees and has Santa on four days. ## How we made this list We ran Exa searches for Sacramento-area holiday trains, Nutcrackers, Santa visits, tree lightings, parades, markets and tree farms, then read each event’s own page, or its city’s, in October 2026. Dates are given as 2026 only where those pages post them; otherwise we give last year’s and say so. We left out events with no confirmed 2026 plans, ticket resale sites, and a second Folsom Nutcracker whose 2026 dates we couldn’t confirm on its own page. - [THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (California State Railroad Museum)](https://www.californiarailroad.museum/events/polar-express/) - [Nutcracker (Sacramento Ballet)](https://www.sacballet.org/events/nutcracker/) - [Nutcracker Sensory Friendly Performance (Sacramento Ballet)](https://www.sacballet.org/nutcracker-sensory-friendly-performance/) - [Theatre of Lights (Downtown Sacramento Partnership)](https://www.downtownsac.org/downtown-sac-experiences/theatre-of-lights/) - [Downtown Holiday Celebration (City of Roseville)](https://www.roseville.ca.gov/programs_events/downtown_holiday_celebration.php) - [Neighborhood Santa (City of Roseville)](https://www.roseville.ca.gov/programs_events/neighborhood_santa.php) - [Christmas Tree Lighting (Folsom Historic District)](https://historicfolsom.org/event/christmas-tree-lighting/) - [2026 Illumination Holiday Festival (City of Elk Grove)](https://elkgrove.gov/event/2026-illumination-holiday-festival/december-05-2026-0300pm) - [Santa Stops and Tree Lighting (Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District)](https://www.forpd.org/456/Santa-Stops) More guides: https://summerground.com/guides/christmas-lights-sacramento.md, https://summerground.com/guides/ice-skating-sacramento.md, https://summerground.com/guides/indoor-playgrounds-sacramento.md. All of them: https://summerground.com/guides.md.