12 holiday tree lighting events around Sacramento to welcome the festive season

As the holiday season approaches, twinkling lights are coming out of storage and evergreen trees are getting the ax.

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Around the Sacramento region, a number of communities and businesses are celebrating the start of the festive season with tree lightings, from Davis to Folsom.

This year, performances from famous musicians, visits from Santa Claus and gallons of hot cocoa will accompany the lighting ceremonies.

At least a dozen tree lighting events scheduled across the capital region give winter holiday lovers the chance to ring in the celebratory season with friends and family.

Sacramento-area tree lighting ceremonies for the holiday season

City of Davis Winter Wonderland Celebration

Location: 620 G St., Davis

Date and time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

In Yolo County, Davis kicks off the holiday season with an annual candlelight parade through downtown, followed by a tree lighting event at the end of the parade route.

At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, parade walkers will gather in the Davis Co-Op parking lot before setting off toward the E Street Plaza at 6 p.m.

Following the parade, the city will light its holiday tree on E Street. Musical performances and other winter activities will continue festivities through the evening. In previous years, the event has included an ugly sweater contest.

West Sacramento Tree Lighting

Location: 1110 West Capitol Ave., West Sacramento

Date and time: Starting 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

The City of West Sacramento and the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce will light up City Hall at the start of December.

West Sacramento’s tree lighting ceremony will include free hot cocoa and cookies for kids, photos with Santa, live music from local musicians and more, according to a Facebook post from the chamber of commerce.

Old Sacramento Holiday Tree Lighting

Location: 1002 Second St., Sacramento

Date and time: 5:30 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, Nov. 25

The Old Sacramento Waterfront will launch its annual performance run of Theatre of Lights with a ceremonial lighting of its 60-foot holiday tree, featuring 24,000 miniature bulbs.

Dancers, singers and other performers will open the festivities before city leaders flip the switch on the tree. Sacramento’s retelling of A Visit From St. Nicholas poem — commonly known as the Night Before Christmas — will have its 2026 premiere after the lighting.

Theatre of Lights will host regular performances along K Street in Old Sacramento from Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 20. Shows will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. There will also be two special showings on Dec. 23 and one on Dec. 24.

Fair Oaks Tree Lighting

Location: 7997 California Ave., Fair Oaks

Date and time: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Village Park will become a full holiday festival to celebrate the start of the season, complete with treats, photo opportunities and a light show.

Visitors will have a chance to have their picture taken with Santa Claus, The Grinch and Elsa from “Frozen” early in the evening, while community members perform on a central stage.

Various stations will be set up throughout the park with holiday gift vendors, activities for kids, cookies, hot cocoa and more. On the western end of the park, a “Festival of Trees” will feature falling artificial snow.

The event will end with the centerpiece holiday tree lighting, a community candle lighting and a holiday light show.

Attendees are encouraged to get into the generous holiday spirit by donating non-perishable food, new and unopened hygiene products and new pajamas to support the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank, the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board’s hygiene drive for the unhoused and the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Kiwanis Club’s Pajama Drive.

Rancho Cordova Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival

Location: 3141 Bridgeway Drive, Rancho Cordova

Date and time: 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29

Rancho Cordova starts the holiday season early, while Thanksgiving leftovers still sit in the fridge.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, the city will celebrate the festivities with music, photos with Santa, a live Nativity scene and food trucks.

A holiday tree will be lit at 7 p.m. and a fireworks show is slated to follow.

Illumination Festival

Location: 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove

Date and time: 3 p.m-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Elk Grove is bringing back its annual family-friendly Illumination Festival for its seventh year running, and it’s expected to be larger than ever.

The free event in the District56 community will include an Americana Vintage Vendor Village with holiday gift shopping from Elk Grove-area makers, food trucks and vendors from the capital region and a festive winter village with activities for all ages.

Santa Claus will be inside a giant snow globe for photos with families, bounce houses and carnival games will be set up and an ice rink will offer wintry skating fun.

At 6 p.m., the city will light its holiday tree to officially mark the start of the celebratory season.

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Holiday in the Park

Location: 1000 La Sierra Drive, Arden Arcade

Date and time: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

Santa Claus will help turn on strings of colorful lights on a 17-foot tree and around the community center at Arden Park.

After his feat of holiday magic, children will be invited to take photos with Santa and make holiday crafts with Mariemont Elementary School. Area musicians and other performers will fill the park with holiday cheer after the lighting ceremony.

Carmichael’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Location: 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael

Date and time: 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

In Carmichael, visitors can listen to live music, make arts and crafts and take photos with Santa during its holiday season kickoff event.

Artificial snow will flurry through the air at Carmichael Park while the holiday tree is lit up, and hungry visitors can purchase pizza, burgers, crepes, donuts and coffee from local food truck businesses.

Photos with Santa are free, but families are asked to donate one canned food item per child for the San Juan Unified School District’s food closet.

Citrus Heights Annual Tree Lighting

Location: 6360 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights

Date and time: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Citrus Heights City Hall will turn into a winter wonderland with holiday activities ahead of its tree lighting ceremony.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., community members will be invited to sing holiday songs as the city’s tree lights up. Photos with Santa Claus will be offered following the lighting.

Throughout the evening, a Santa’s Workshop children’s space will offer crafts, snacks and other holiday fun for younger visitors.

Downtown Roseville Holiday Celebration

Location: 311 Vernon St., Roseville

Date and time: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

In Roseville’s downtown district, the holiday season kicks off early with a slew of events.

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Roseville businesses and organizations will create a twinkling Tree Grove from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., with holiday trees decorated throughout Vernon Town Square. Holiday crafts, live music, photos with Santa Claus and vendors selling holiday gifts will accompany the Tree Grove.

A community gingerbread house contest will kick off that same day, with entries displayed in the 316 Vernon St. lobby through Dec. 11. Gingerbread house contestants and Tree Grove participants can sign up on the City of Roseville website.

Roseville’s signature Christmas tree will be lit on Dec. 3 around 6:10 p.m., according to the city’s website. That evening, visitors will be able to take photos with Santa Claus, decorate holiday cookies, enjoy a variety of kids activities, listen to live music and more.

On Friday, Dec. 4, the town square will become the North Pole Tavern from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Visitors aged 21+ can purchase $12 tickets to taste six wines and beers from a selection of Roseville-area breweries, wineries and cellars. Food will be available for purchase.

Westfield Galleria Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Location: 1151 Galleria Blvd., Roseville

Date and time: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

The shopping center in Roseville will kick off the holiday season with a musical performance from a famed 2000s pop star, alongside

David Archuleta, known for his runner-up finish on the seventh season of “American Idol”, will perform at the Westfield Galleria’s first-ever tree lighting ceremony. Attendees will also be able to enjoy hot cocoa, apple cider and festive foods at the mall. Visitors can win a variety of giveaway prizes and receive personalized ornaments with certain purchases.

Santa Claus will light up Westfield Galleria’s holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. as artificial snow flutters down onto festival visitors.

Holidays in Historic Folsom Community Christmas Tree Lighting

Location: 200 Wool St., Suite 103, Folsom

Date and time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

Historic Folsom will turn its ice rink plaza into a Christmas Village to celebrate its annual tree lighting event.

Community groups and Folsom-area schools will host performances featuring holiday classics, and booths from sponsors like Dignity Health, Kikkoman and Lakeside Church are set to have interactive activations for festival attendees.

Younger festival attendees will have a variety of fun activities available, while Santa Claus takes photos with families and receives Christmas wishes.

Visitors who would like to ice skate at Folsom’s holiday rink during the tree lighting festivities are encouraged to purchase admission ahead of time, as sessions fill up quick.

This story was originally published November 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline “12 holiday tree lighting events around Sacramento to welcome the festive season.”

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