Theatre of Lights at Old Sacramento Waterfront
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season
Where: Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district, Sacramento, California
When: tree lighting Nov. 27; performances through December (Fridays and Saturdays)
Hours: tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Cost: free
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A 60-foot Christmas tree anchors the historic waterfront district, where performers stage a roughly 20-minute rooftop show retelling 'Twas the Night Before Christmas along with Sacramento pioneer stories. The production has featured Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney's Goofy, plus appearances by Jack Frost and St. Nick.
Best time to arrive. Sunset in Sacramento is around 4:46 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:16 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 38°F, so dress for standing around outside.
Other displays nearby
There are 12 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 38 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.
- 2901 Tigoa Way display
- 6558 Benhamn Way display
- Brick Mason Circle
- California State Capitol Christmas Tree
- Fabulous 40s (Fab 40s)
- Rockmont Circle Lights
- S Streets lights
- Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
Make a night of it. This is stop 11 on our 22-stop Sacramento lights loop — about 49.6 miles and 207 minutes of driving in total.