Seasonal Activities

NYE 2025 Countdown on the Cobblestones

Welcome the new year at Countdown on the Cobblestones, a lively event bringing music and festivities to the Old Sacramento Waterfront on New Year’s Eve. The event will feature live music, interactive activities, and a light show, providing a family-friendly alternative to midnight festivities.

“Countdown on the Cobblestones is free and open to the public, making it an accessible way for families and friends to come together and celebrate the arrival of 2025,” said City spokesperson Jennifer Singer. 

The celebration will run from 4 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, with entertainment and activities stretching across K Street and Front Street. Hosted by Sacramento’s Poet Laureate Andru Defeye, join us for a night of celebration and live music featuring:

The Philharmonik,

DJ Epik

Element Brass Band

DJ El Indio 

and more! 

The evening will culminate in a 9 p.m. countdown at the intersection of Front and K streets. A light and pyrotechnic show, produced by Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. in collaboration with Stage Nine Exhibits, will illuminate the Holiday Tree and the historic buildings of Old Sacramento. The show will feature pyrotechnics launched from three locations, including the Delta King, reaching up to 250 feet. Live music will follow the display.

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 Fridays and Saturdays starting Thanksgiving Eve (no show on Thanksgiving), with two irregular show dates occurring on Monday, December 23rd, and Tuesday, December 24th.

Conceived and created by Stage Nine Exhibitions’ Troy Carlson, Theatre of Lights brings together some of California’s finest talents in the field of light and sound: 4Wall Productions, Musson Theatrical, Associated Sound, and Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy.

The performance features an immersive retelling of Moore’s 1823 poem — “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas” alongside stories of how Sacramento pioneers experienced the calamities — and revelry — that befell the new city in the 1850s. The sounds of the fires, floods, and parties will surround the audience as the 150-year-old building facades light up with color. The highlight of the 20-minute production is a live dramatization on the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost, and the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself. 

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

If it’s holiday memories you’re after, come find it! Kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting ceremony for the SMUD Holiday Tree at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The fun begins at 5 p.m. at Front and K streets with entertainment and family-friendly festivities leading up to the free, public ceremony at 6 p.m. on Wednesday November 27th. 

Immediately after, watch the first 2024 performance of Theatre of Lights presented by Downtown Sacramento Partnership featuring a live dramatization of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” on the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost.    

Plan ahead!
Visit our directory pages for nearby family-friendly dining options, shopping, attractions, and entertainment. 

PARKING

Convenient nearby garage parking is available at:
Tower Garage – 1289 Front Street, at Capitol Mall
Old Sacramento Garage – 274 I Street, between 2nd & 3rd streets

BUS/LIGHT RAIL

Let SacRT make planning your trip easy! The Old Sacramento Waterfront is steps away from the Sacramento Valley Station. Plan your trip here. 

Sustainable Santa Photo Op

SUSTAINABLE SANTA AN IMMERSIVE PHOTO & ART EXPERIENCE

A winter wonderland Holiday family portraits and creative experience in historic Old Sacramento. Santa needs your help, the magic is unstable because the North Pole is getting warmer. Things have fallen out of Santa’s Sleigh.  Can you help find the items and help Santa restore the magic? 

Santa is stuck in time and needs your help to save the whole planet. 

Hop off the Polar Express and venture around the corner for cinematic family photos, personal ornament sculpting, and hot holiday beverages. Starting Saturday, November 16th.

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, hot coco, and mulled wine. Saving Santa Experience runs for 30 event days from – Saturday, November 16th through Sunday, December 22nd.

More details here! 

Holiday K Street Al Fresco

Enjoy your Saturday in Old Sac with comfortable seating, pop-up vendors, a photo booth, and a Letters to Santa station available from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

K Street in Old Sacramento will be closed to cars beginning Fridays at 3:00 PM through Saturdays at 10:00 PM.

Holiday Cheer with Living History 

Tis the season! Sacramento Living History is back with their Annual ‘Holiday Cheer’ festivities, every Saturday from 3PM – 6PM at 1002 2nd Street. 

Thousands of Sacramentans come down to Old Sacramento during the Holidays to see the K Street Christmas Tree, attend Theatre of Lights, get in some holiday shopping, and board the Polar Express. Add to these traditions by joining Sacramento Living History and have a spirited good time!

This free, family-friendly event will teach you all about winter holidays in the mid 1800s with era crafts and games, hot cocoa and mulled cider, a venue to take family photos, and caroling!

 

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.

Ticket Information

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

November 16 – December 22, 2024
Tuesday – Sunday
3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm*
*There will be no 8:00 pm train on Sunday, December 22, 2024

Purchase Tickets here

Ticket Pricing

First Class: $100 – $110 per passenger
Coach Class: $80 $85 per passenger
All fees are included in ticket price
Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday do not need a ticket if they ride on an adult’s lap.