What to do with kids in Sacramento over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: four say they’re open on Christmas Day and four on New Year’s Day. Plus three dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Nothing posted for Christmas Eve yet. Places post their plans in December, and we add them as they do.
Cal Expo · 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Good to know: A ticketed walk-through with themed light worlds, circus shows included with admission, carnival rides and an outdoor ice rink. Plan on about two hours.
Ali Youssefi Square · 7th & K Streets, Sacramento, CA 95814
Historic Folsom · Folsom
Good to know: Outdoor rink, so sun or rain can change ice conditions.
Crocker Art Museum · 216 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Good to know: Live performances, art making, sensory play and story times, then a countdown to noon.
Sacramento Zoo · Land Park Drive & 16th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95822
Good to know: The zoo lists Noon Year’s Eve on Dec 31 but hasn’t posted times or prices yet.
Sacramento Public Library – Central Library (Kids’ Place, lower level) · 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Good to know: For babies, toddlers and preschoolers: celebration crafts, a sparkly storytime and a countdown to the new year.
Cal Expo · 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Good to know: A ticketed walk-through with themed light worlds, circus shows included with admission, carnival rides and an outdoor ice rink. Plan on about two hours.
Open on New Year’s Day: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, Sacramento Zoo, California State Railroad Museum, SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC).
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in SacramentoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in SacramentoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in SacramentoFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in SacramentoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in SacramentoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in SacramentoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in SacramentoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in SacramentoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in SacramentoParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in SacramentoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in SacramentoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in SacramentoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in SacramentoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink (Dec 24: 10am–9pm; Dec 25: noon–9pm), Sacramento Zoo (Dec 24 and Dec 25: closed), California State Railroad Museum (Dec 25: closed), SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) (Dec 24 and Dec 25: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink (Dec 31: 10am–9pm; Jan 1: 10am–10pm (Dec 18 – Jan 3 hours)), Sacramento Zoo (Not listed; Noon Year’s Eve on Dec 31), California State Railroad Museum (Closed on New Year’s Day), SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) (Not on the holiday closure list; regular Friday hours are 10am–4pm).
On the calendar for Jan 1: Imaginarium at Cal Expo. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Imaginarium at Cal Expo, Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink and Folsom Ice Rink. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Sacramento, through the holidays.
