Christmas lights in Sacramento, California

We track 22 displays in Sacramento — the densest city for lights in California. 21 of them are free to visit.

When to go

Displays here switch on around sunset. In Sacramento that means about 4:45 PM in early December and 4:46 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:16 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Sacramento typically drop to around 38°F.

DateSunsetFully dark
Dec 14:45 PM5:14 PM
Dec 154:46 PM5:16 PM
Dec 254:50 PM5:20 PM

The Sacramento lights loop — 22 stops

We ordered every display in Sacramento into the shortest sensible driving loop: roughly 49.6 miles and 207 minutes of driving, before you count time spent parked and looking. Start wherever is closest to you and follow it round.

  1. 1232 43rd Street display — 1232 43rd Street
  2. 3063 Donner Way display — 3063 Donner Way
  3. Governor's Mansion State Historic Park — Governor's Mansion State Historic Park
  4. 2901 Tigoa Way display — 2901 Tigoa Way
  5. 6558 Benhamn Way display — 6558 Benhamn Way
  6. Brick Mason Circle — Brick Mason Circle
  7. California State Capitol Christmas Tree — California State Capitol steps
  8. Fabulous 40s (Fab 40s) — 40th to 49th Streets, East Sacramento
  9. Rockmont Circle Lights — Rockmont Circle and Java Court, North Natomas
  10. S Streets lights — S Street from 53rd to 54th Streets
  11. Theatre of Lights at Old Sacramento Waterfront — Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district
  12. Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town — Fairytale Town (given as "Fairytown" in article)
  13. Imaginarium at Cal Expo — Cal Expo
  14. 2032 South Avenue display — 2032 South Avenue
  15. 3037 Sand Dollar Way display — 3037 Sand Dollar Way
  16. 4664 Edison Avenue display — 4664 Edison Avenue
  17. 5613 Tahama Street display — 5613 Tahama Street
  18. 3601 Kranhold Way display — 3601 Kranhold Way
  19. 9224 Carla Way display — 9224 Carla Way
  20. 6770 Riptide Way display — 6770 Riptide Way
  21. 7296 Riverwind Way display — 7296 Riverwind Way
  22. 7350 Durfee Way display — 7350 Durfee Way

Driving estimate assumes a 25 mph average on residential streets plus four minutes stopped per display. Straight-line distances with a road-network allowance — treat it as a planning figure, not a satnav route.

Practicalities

Residential displays have no facilities of their own — no parking, no toilets, nowhere to warm up — so it is worth knowing what is around. Within about three miles of the Sacramento cluster, OpenStreetMap maps 6 public car parks and 23 public toilets. There is no shortage of cafés and takeaways for a hot drink on the way round.

All 22 displays in Sacramento

Theatre of Lights at Old Sacramento Waterfront

Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district · Sacramento, California

tree lighting Nov. 27; performances through December (Fridays and Saturdays) · tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Freeattractionwalk-throughlive performancetree lighting

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.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Imaginarium at Cal Expo

Cal Expo · Sacramento, California

through Jan. 5 · Wed, Thu, Sun 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m.

ticketedattractionticketedwalk-throughice skatingcarnival rideslive entertainment

This large ticketed holiday festival at Cal Expo advertises 5 million lights across themed areas including a Fairytale Garden, Enchanted Fantasyland Forests, and Infinity Mirrors. Beyond the lights it offers circus shows, ice skating, carnival rides, games, and live entertainment, with cheaper pricing for early ticket purchases.

15 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Rockmont Circle Lights

Rockmont Circle and Java Court, North Natomas · Sacramento, California

after Thanksgiving through end of year · tree placed in street between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Freeneighborhoodwalk-throughdrive-bycharacter nightscharity donations

Started over 20 years ago by a few Java Court homeowners, this North Natomas display now spans more than 100 homes, all connected by lights to a 25-foot Christmas tree set up in the middle of the street. Saturday character nights feature Santa, elves, and the Grinch, and the Rockmont Lights nonprofit collects non-perishable food for local food banks; organizers suggest parking at Westlake Charter School and walking.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season

California State Capitol Christmas Tree

California State Capitol steps · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractionwalk-throughdrive-by

A 60-foot tree cut from LaTour Demonstration State Forest in Shasta County stood on the Capitol steps for the 2024 season, decorated with lights and ornaments. It makes a quieter alternative to the region's crowded neighborhood displays and sits within walking distance of the Governor's Mansion.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season

Fabulous 40s (Fab 40s)

40th to 49th Streets, East Sacramento · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhooddrive-bywalk-throughguided tours

This affluent East Sacramento neighborhood of historic mansions is the region's best-known holiday lights destination, with a decorating tradition dating back to at least the 1980s. Visitors can stroll or drive the streets, or book horse-drawn carriage, brew bike, or tuk tuk tours through operators like Top Ranch Carriage Company, Sacramento Brew Bike, and Capital Tuk Tuk.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractionwalk-throughdrive-by

The historic Governor's Mansion is fully wrapped in white twinkling lights and greenery for the holidays. It sits within walking distance of the State Capitol, making the two easy to see together on a low-crowd lights outing.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season

Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town

Fairytale Town (given as "Fairytown" in article) · Sacramento, California

Dec. 13-14 · starts at 7 p.m.

Freeattractionwalk-through

A two-night Winter Wonderland event takes over the children's park with evening holiday festivities beginning at 7 p.m. It was listed among the Sacramento area's event-based holiday light options for the 2025 season.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Brick Mason Circle

Brick Mason Circle · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhooddrive-bywalk-through

Brick Mason Circle is a Sacramento street known locally for holiday lights and decorations. Fox40 listed it among the city's recommended streets to walk or drive through during the 2025 season.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

S Streets lights

S Street from 53rd to 54th Streets · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhooddrive-bywalk-through

This short stretch of S Street between 53rd and 54th is known among locals for its concentration of decorated homes. It appeared in Fox40's 2025 roundup of the region's best holiday light streets.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

1232 43rd Street display

1232 43rd Street · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A single-home holiday light display at this Sacramento address, included in Fox40's 2025 guide to locally known decorated houses viewable by car or on foot.

13 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

2032 South Avenue display

2032 South Avenue · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A residential holiday light display at this Sacramento address, listed in Fox40's 2025 roundup of homes locals visit for lights.

5 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

2901 Tigoa Way display

2901 Tigoa Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A home light display at this Sacramento address, one of the individual houses named in Fox40's 2025 holiday lights guide.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

3037 Sand Dollar Way display

3037 Sand Dollar Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A residential holiday display at this Sacramento address, cited in Fox40's 2025 guide to decorated homes around the region.

4 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

3063 Donner Way display

3063 Donner Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A single-home light display at this Sacramento address, included among Fox40's 2025 recommendations for holiday light viewing.

13 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

4664 Edison Avenue display

4664 Edison Avenue · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A residential holiday light display at this Sacramento address, part of Fox40's 2025 guide to locally known decorated houses.

8 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

5613 Tahama Street display

5613 Tahama Street · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A home light display at this Sacramento address, one of the houses Fox40 highlighted in its 2025 holiday lights roundup.

14 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

6558 Benhamn Way display

6558 Benhamn Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A residential display at this Sacramento address, listed in Fox40's 2025 guide to homes known for holiday lights.

12 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

6770 Riptide Way display

6770 Riptide Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A decorated home at this Sacramento address, included in Fox40's 2025 roundup of residential holiday light stops.

3 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

3601 Kranhold Way display

3601 Kranhold Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A decorated home at this Sacramento address, named in Fox40's 2025 list of residential holiday light displays.

1 other display within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

7296 Riverwind Way display

7296 Riverwind Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A single-home holiday display at this Sacramento address, named in Fox40's 2025 lights guide.

2 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

7350 Durfee Way display

7350 Durfee Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A residential holiday light display at this Sacramento address, cited by Fox40 in its 2025 seasonal guide.

2 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

9224 Carla Way display

9224 Carla Way · Sacramento, California

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialdrive-by

A decorated home at this Sacramento address, part of Fox40's 2025 list of residential holiday light displays.

2 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Nearby towns

Fair Oaks5 displays · 11 miAntelope2 displays · 11 miElk Grove4 displays · 12 miCitrus Heights6 displays · 12 miRoseville5 displays · 15 miOrangevale1 display · 15 mi

Know a display we're missing in Sacramento?Add it to the guide.