Holiday District

Celebrate being home for the holidays in a whole new way!

For their 15th anniversary, the Old Sacramento Waterfront holiday festivities have been enhanced with even more ways to embrace the season. Skip the mall and enjoy an immersive experience while you shop for the people you love at locally owned stores. Experience Theatre of Lights, our uniquely Sacramento, live-action light show. Then, wrap up your night at one of our holiday themed bars.

Come find it all in the district that does holidays best: Old Sacramento Waterfront.

Theatre of Lights 

Theatre of Lights is a free, family-friendly performance retelling “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a uniquely Sacramento way on the rooftops of the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Produced by Downtown Sacramento Partnership, the shows are Thursday through Sunday from Thanksgiving Eve to December 30th (no show on Thanksgiving).

Find out more times and information here! 

 

Polar Express

The California State Railroad Museum is back with the Polar Express! Enjoy this magical family event! The evening begins in the passenger station where you will be entertained by Polar Express characters, and then board your train to the North Pole where you will enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat courtesy of their hot chocolate chefs. Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf — Santa himself — will come on board to give each passenger the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell.

Departure Dates and Times

All departures will take place from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, CA.

November 24 – December 20, 2023

Wednesday – Sunday
3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm

PLUS!
Tuesday, December 19 & Wednesday, December 20
3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS AND PRICING

 

Saving Sustainable Santa

Hop off the Polar Express and venture around the corner for cinematic family photos, personal ornament sculpting, and hot holiday beverages. Starting Black Friday, November 25th and ending Saturday, December 23rd. 

It is Atrium’s zero-waste Holiday season in Old Sacramento. Building on our cinematic immersive Santa Photo Experience of last year, we are creating a winter wonderland where children will be inspired to protect the environment and peek into Santa’s Magical Sack of Toys. This will provide families with magical family portraits.  Crafting and clay ornament-making will be served at our art café, along with hot cider and mulled wine.

For more information and reservation booking detail, click here!

 

Holiday Parking 

The Old Sacramento Garage will have reserved parking options during Theatre of Lights. Parking prices are a 25% discount on the flat rates. Flat rates range from $10-$15 on these nights without the discount.

Click here to reserve parking!

 

The Tower Bridge Garage does not allow the pre-pay option, but does still allow for validations. Pop by into one of our participating businesses who offer validations and they will be able to offer a $5 discount for shopping/dining in their locations.

 

Selfies with Santa at Eagle Theater

Just need a quick pic with Santa? Stop by Eagle Theater starting November 24th from 3:30PM to 9:30PM! Santa will be available Wednesday through Sunday until December 17th. There will be no professional photographers but everyone’s more than welcome to take out their own devices and snap a photo with Santa. Donations to the Eagle Theater are appreciated but not required. 

Additional days: 

December 19th 

December 20th

Seasonal Restaurant Specials

Bear and Crown is open for all major holidays for the rest of the year! Stop by and try one of their new seasonal items: 

Mulled wine 

Spiked Eggnog 

Seasonal Cocktail 

 

 

Steamers will stay open until 9 PM on nights that are showing Theatre of Lights! Drop in for one of their fun, festive drinks: 

S’mores Mocha made with toasted marshmallow syrup and crushed graham crackers

Drunk Rudolph, a drink with coffee, cinnamon, whiskey, and topped off with whipped cream

Bailey’s Cold Brew 

 

 

Blueprint Coffee is offering the your favorite traditional espresso drinks: 

Chicory Maple Latte 

Eggnog Latte 

Peppermint Bark Latte 

 

 

Joe’s Crab Shack: 

For every $50 in Gift Cards you buy, Receive a $10 Reward Card.*

Plus, Landry’s Select Club Members Earn 1.5X Points!

Available Online and In-Store November 1 through December 31, 2023.

Click here for more details

 

Vintage Holiday Market 

Peachy Pop-Ups is excited to bring the community a Vintage Holiday Market at the Old Sacramento Waterfront!

These markets will run every Friday + Saturday starting the weekend of Thanksgiving and we will add every Sunday starting the week after!

3 day whole weekend events that you don’t want to miss!

 

Holiday Activations

What better way to enjoy the holiday season than experiencing what Old Sacramento Waterfront Holiday District has to offer each day! 

Visit us on Thursday to see a lighted Poi artist and ASL night. Stop by Blueprint Coffee Project and order yourself a hot chocolate to keep your hands warm and play with the lawn games that will be available Thursday through Sunday.

Drop by the Holiday District on Friday to hear roaming carolers and see fireworks fill the night sky. If you’re not done shopping, take a stroll through the Vintage Holiday Market and grab a few stocking stuffers. 

Experience live music from 11AM-5PM on Saturday and Sunday from two locations at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Visit the Atrium Zero Waste Art Cafe and make it a creative night! 

The Zero Waste Mobile Art Cafe is an innovative popup that combines art, community, and sustainability. Housed in a solar powered upcycled 1950’s vintage horse trailer, the cafe will travel to various locations to offer communities inclusive art activites, paired with locally brewed KC kombucha for a healthy sustainable Paint and Sip experience. Bright bistro tables and chairs create a welcoming environment for people of all ages to gather and connect.

Serving art, not food, the Zero Waste Mobile Art Cafe provides canvas painting and canvas tote bag painting, while educating on sustainability with its Recycle Challenge game.

 

Holiday Bar Competition 

 This year the bars in Old Sacramento are going head-to-head to see who is the most jolly of all. Each bar will have their own themes and be decorated in their merriest gear. Go into your favorite bar, scan the QR code, and put in your vote for the best dressed bar or click the link here and place your vote!

Find the best themed bar with your favorite holiday special below!

Brannan Manor as ”It’s a Merry Brannan Christmas”, serving their Jingle Juice, Candy Cane Martini, and Coquito Shots

La Terraza dressed up as “A Nightmare Before Christmas”, offering a Nightmare Margarita

Finnegans themed their pub “Jingle Bells & Jameson Wells” and offering Irish Coffee and all Jameson Drinks at Well prices.

Vegas Bodega is celebrating with “Christmas in the Cantina”. Grab one of their many specials: Cranberry Margarita, Abuelita’s Hot Chocolate, Cranberry Mule, or a Peppermint Hot Chocolate! 

Last Stop Saloon making sure their place will be “All is Bright!”. Their bar will feature thousands of lights. So many that even Santa will spot them on his sleigh. While you’re waiting for Santa order their Polar Express Cocktail! 

Bear & Crown is decorating as “Christmas in the Highlands”! Join them for a sip of their Mulled Wine or Spiked Eggnog! 

Delta King is preparing for a “Mistletoe Kiss”! Drop by for a drink and more! 

Fanny Ann’s