December 1st

Folsom Historic District Ice Rink. Don’t miss the region’s most beloved holiday tradition in Folsom’s Historic District. This year brings an upgraded ice system, theme nights, fireside seating with s’mores, private events, and more. Session times and ticket packages vary. folsomicerink.com
(THROUGH JANUARY 16)

 

Photos with Santa. Take the kiddos to the Palladio for a photo with Santa. Reservations can be booked online and are recommended. Times and picture packages vary. gopalladio.com
(THROUGH 23)

December 2nd

Matilda. Watch Roald Dahl’s tale come to life at the Rocklin Community Theatre, as a neglected child learns she has powers while navigating a new school, new friends, a sweet-as-honey teacher, and the terrible Miss Trunchbull. rocklintheatre.org
(THROUGH 18)

A Very Scottish Christmas. Prepare to be inspired as California’s favorite Scottish music trio, The Fire, joins forces with both Scottish and Irish dancers for an extraordinary performance at Sutter Creek Theater beginning at 8 p.m. suttercreektheater.com

 

Christmas Tree Lighting. Bundle up, grab the family, and head to Folsom’s Historic District for their annual Christmas tree lighting (7:30 p.m.). Santa visits and carriage rides begin at 5 p.m. followed by singing and dancing at 6 p.m. historicfolsom.org/events-schedule

 

The Nutcracker. Placer Theatre Ballet’s timeless performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker—where a young girl, Clara, is given a magical nutcracker doll that comes to life in her dream, battles the evil King of the Mice, and takes her to the Land of Sweets where she’s entertained by dancers from all around the world—returns to Placer High School’s auditorium in Auburn. Show times vary. placertheatreballet.org
(THROUGH 11)

 

A Christmas Carol. Head to Imagination Theater in Placerville to watch the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge—a crochety, uncharitable old man who learns to change his ways and celebrate the spirit of Christmas—live on stage. Show times vary. itplacerville.org
(THROUGH 22)

 

Celebrate Christmas. Jessup Music presents new arrangements of your favorite Christmas tunes—performed by their choir, orchestra, Jessup Concert Choir, Crossroads, and jazz band—at this lively concert. jessupmusic.com
(THROUGH 4)

Holiday Lights. See the twinkling wonderland at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary from 5-8:30 p.m. where thousands of LED lights and decorated trees will illuminate the animal’s playground. Enjoy carolers, seasonal refreshments, train rides, a visit from Santa, and more. folsomzoofriends.org
(THROUGH 11)

December 3rd

Late Nite Catechism. Head to the Harris Center for laughs and interactive fun at this hilarious, well-written play where the audience members become part o the performance. Shows begin at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm. harriscenter.net
(THROUGH 3)

 

Festival of Lights Parade. Join thousands of spectators in Old Town and Downtown Auburn for this annual parade full of festive costumes, bands, delightfully decorated floats, and of course, Santa. The parade begins at Cherry Avenue and Lincoln Way at 5:30 p.m. and ends at the Gold Country Fairgrounds. oldtownauburnca.com/events

 

Holidays in the Hills. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to one of 19 participating wineries before sipping and shopping your way around the Placer Wine Trail. Special activities (live music, food trucks, a hot cocoa bar, etc.) will also be part of the festivities. The fun goes from noon-5 p.m. both days; tickets include tastings and a souvenir wine glass. placerwine.com
(ALSO 4)

 

Christmas is for Kids Toy Run. Give back by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to Folsom’s That Dam Place from 9 a.m.-2p.m. and enjoy holiday music, handmade wares from local artisans, raffles, and more. capcruz.com

Holiday Pops Christmas. Featuring a soulful collection of traditional holiday music, this Placer Pops Chorale concert is sure to impress. Plan on hearing holiday classics like “Silent Night,” “The First Noel,” and “Jingle Bells.” Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. harriscenter.net
(ALSO 4)

Evening Carriage Rides. Celebrate the season by bringing the kids to the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 6-9 p.m. (Fridays) and 5-9 p.m. (Saturdays) for a magical horse-drawn carriage ride. All proceeds benefit Hands4Hope and Young Life. edhtowncenter.com
(THROUGH 17)

Christmas Tree Lighting. Come to the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 4-8 p.m. to watch the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree. This year’s event also features a merchant open house, “Stuff Your Stocking” game where children visit participating businesses to fill their stockings with gifts, and get a special visit from Santa. edhtowncenter.com

Tilly the Trickster. Roseville Theatre Arts Academy brings Molly Shannon’s book to life about Tilly, a mischievous girl who loves nothing more than causing a little trouble. From leaking cups to toothpaste-flavored cookies, she has a trick for everyone: her mom, dad, brother, classmates, and even her teacher. But when the tables are turned and her family does some scheming of their own, will Tilly decide to change her trickster ways? Shows are Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. rosevilletheatreartsacademy.com
(THROUGH 11)

Winter Rummage Sale. Bring your own shopping bag to the Placerville Shakespeare Clubhouse from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to purchase holiday décor, toys, books, games, and more. placerville-shakespeare.com

December 4th

Hangtown Christmas Parade. Celebrate the season and support the community by showing up to this Charles Dickens-themed parade. Onlookers will enjoy equines donned in their best tacks, local high school bands, and festive floats. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Broadway Street and will wind through Main Street. hangtownchristmasparade.com

Jingle Mingle. Enjoy bites, beer, and wine from area purveyors while listening to seasonal entertainment and perusing handmade wares at this celebration from 1-5 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center. Proceeds benefit the Assistance League of Sierra Foothills. assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills

Christmas Arts & Craft Fair. Rain or shine, stroll the streets of Historic Folsom from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. while listening to talented musicians and browsing a selection of handmade and vintage items. historicfolsom.org/events-schedule

December 6th

Messiah Sing-Along. Sing your heart out to a variety of tunes by the Auburn Symphony. Featuring a powerhouse quartet as vocalists, this show certainly won’t disappoint. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Placer High School's auditorium in Auburn. auburnsymphony.com

December 10th

Season Celebrations. Join the Folsom Lake Symphony, Northern California Children’s Chorus, and Broadway star and soprano, Teri Bibb—who has done nearly 1,000 performances as Christina from The Phantom of the Opera—for Christmas carol sing-alongs, excerpts from The Nutcracker and Frozen, and more at this annual holiday show. Saturday’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s at 2 p.m. folsomlakesymphony.com
(ALSO 11)

 

Loomis Basin Holiday Home & Exotic Car Tour. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m., enjoy an exotic car show, peruse beautifully decorated homes (and garages/man caves!), shop at a holiday boutique, savor a grab-and-go breakfast and/or buffet lunch, enjoy performances by the district student choir, and peruse a student art showcase. Proceeds benefit the Loomis Basin Education Foundation. loomisholiday.com

Old Town Auburn Christmas. Head to Old Town Auburn from 5-9 p.m. for live music and performances, local craft brews and wines, a local vendor fair, hot cocoa and coffee, visits with Santa, and more. All funds raised will be used for improvements and future events in Old Town Auburn’s Historic District. oldtownauburnca.com/events/old-town-christmas
(ALSO 17)

December 11th

Santa Hustle. Head to Vernon Street Town Square to participate in this year’s 5K (8:15 a.m.), 10k (8 a.m.), or Kids’ Dash (7:30 a.m.). Along all three routes, racers will enjoy a cookie station, candy station, and water station. Proceeds benefit Stand Up Placer, a nonprofit that provides victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Placer County with a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. santahustle.com/roseville

Chanukah Wonderland. Recognized as the premier Chanukah event in the region, families from every segment of the community are invited to this annual celebration at the Palladio from 1-5 p.m. Enjoy games, music, hot latkes, an authentic Israeli food court, Chanukah gift shop, “build a menorah” workshop, and more. jewishfolsom.org

December 15th

The Nutcracker. Don't miss Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet's performances of this holiday classic alongside live music from the Folsom Lake Symphony. Shows are at the Harris Center and times vary. harriscenter.net
(THROUGH 18)

December 21st

High Voltage Holiday Celebration. Rock out to new and traditional Christmas music by El Dorado Musical Theatre’s group, High Voltage—comprised of 22 members who have performed across the region at top spots like Disneyland. The show begins at 7 p.m. harriscenter.net