# Christmas lights in Sacramento for little kids, 2026

> Three Christmas light displays in and around Sacramento have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 7:30 p.m. at Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 3 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/christmas-lights/
- Santa (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/santa/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/llms.txt

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento** at K Street, Old Sacramento, K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. When: Tree lighting Wed, Nov 25; shows Fri–Sun Nov 27–Dec 20, plus Dec 23 and Dec 24. Time: Shows 6:30 and 7:30pm Fri–Sat, 6:30pm Sun; Dec 23 at 6:30 and 7:30pm; Dec 24 at 6:30pm only. Price: Free. A free 20-minute retelling of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas on the K Street balconies, ending with the 60-foot tree lighting up. No show on Thanksgiving. Holidays on K Street adds lawn games, pop-up vendors and a Letters to Santa station on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov 28 to Dec 20. Official page: https://www.downtownsac.org/downtown-sac-experiences/theatre-of-lights/
- **Imaginarium at Cal Expo** at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. When: Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027, nightly. Time: Sun–Thu 5–10pm; Fri–Sat 5–11pm. Price: From $21 ages 13+; from $16 ages 3–12 and 62+; under 3 free. 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. Official page: https://imaginarium360.com/sacramento/
- **Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary** at Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Parking behind City Hall, 52 Natoma St., Folsom. When: Dec 4–6, 10–13 and 18–22, 2026. Time: 5–8:30pm; last entry 8pm. Price: $14.17 ages 2 and up with fees; under 2 free; Starlight Express train $8.86. Timed entry, sold online only from Nov 1. The 16th year of lights around the zoo, with carolers, nocturnal animals and night rides on the Folsom Valley Railway. Heavy rain or wind cancels. Official page: https://tickets.eventhub.net/e/wild-nights-and-holiday-lights-2026

## Light displays that come back every year

- [THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride](https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/events/the-polar-express-train-ride-central-pacific-passenger-station/): next dates Nov 13 – Dec 21, 2026

## Christmas trains near Sacramento

- [Christmas train rides near Sacramento](https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 6 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Sacramento

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Sacramento](https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Sacramento](https://littlesweekly.com/sacramento/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Sacramento?
Yes. Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento is free in 2026.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Sacramento?
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary ($14.17 ages 2 and up with fees; under 2 free; Starlight Express train $8.86); Imaginarium at Cal Expo (From $21 ages 13+; from $16 ages 3–12 and 62+; under 3 free). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Sacramento? We have an early bedtime.
The earliest evening starts: Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento at 7:30 p.m., Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary at 8:30 p.m. and Imaginarium at Cal Expo at 10 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
Little ones get in free at Imaginarium at Cal Expo (under 3 free); Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary (under 2 free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).