The Theatre Of Lights Is A Northern California Holiday Tradition That Will Delight Your Whole Family

The Theatre of Lights in Sacramento is a beloved, immersive holiday event featuring dazzling lights and a live reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

It's so easy to accumulate a ton of fantastic family traditions when you live in a place like Northern California. Christmas in NorCal is a magical time, and we have so many unique activities and things to do during the holiday season. Some of the best Christmas lights in California are right here in Northern California, and many of these spots become instant family favorites. If you're looking to add even more annual traditions to your holiday season, we've got a great event for you today. The Theatre of Lights in Sacramento is a magnificent holiday attraction that's one of the best ways to celebrate NorCal at Christmas. It's a crowdpleaser for a reason, and it's bound to blow you away, not only this season but in years to come, too. Check it out:

This is one holiday tradition you'll definitely want to add to your life. The Theatre of Lights in Sacramento is a beloved event that's the talk of the town every year, and it's certainly with good reason.

This event has been going on for more than a dozen years now. Macy's Theatre of Lights illuminates the Old Sacramento Waterfront on K Street between Front and 2nd Streets. Businesses and storefronts transform magically, and you'll see all kinds of holiday decorations and dazzling, multi-colored lights.

The Theatre of Lights is a one-of-a-kind holiday attraction that's one of the best to enjoy during Christmas in NorCal. This is an event that the whole family will love, and best of all, it's free to attend.

The shows take place each Thursday through Sunday evening from Thanksgiving Eve to December 30, 2023. Note that there is no performance on Thanksgiving Day.

The attraction is a fully immersive experience that will transport you to a different era. With myriad of lights, sounds, and visual effects, it's a true trip back in time. The core of the event's nightly performance is a live reading of the famous poem "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

The 20-minute event also includes interesting historical information about the calamities that afflicted Sacramento in the city's early days.

This reading of the classic poem is much more than your average retelling. The event combines theatrical elements with stunning choreography. Guests will witness a world-class performance right before their very eyes.

Actors will dazzle you from up above as they perform on balconies and rooftops, and beautiful visuals will leave you mesmerized.

The Theatre of Lights in Sacramento brings together some of the finest light, sound, and voice talents in the state. Even Bill Farmer, the Emmy-nominated voice of Disney's Goofy, is here.

The performance takes place twice each night on Thursdays through Sundays right up until December 30.

There's no denying that the heart-stopping visuals, including a massive 60-foot-tall Christmas tree, will leave you in complete awe of the performance. However, it's the heart of the event itself - seeing a Christmas poem come to life - that will officially make this one of your favorite holiday traditions.

Check out this great video from CBS Sacramento that details the history of this fun tradition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGoSk5okrFY

For more information about the 2023 Theatre of Lights in Sacramento, check out the Old Sacramento Waterfront website or the Old Sacramento Waterfront Facebook page.

Have you ever seen this great Christmas in NorCal tradition in person? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you're planning on traveling this winter, make sure you check out our Ultimate Winter Packing List so that you have everything you need for a safe and happy trip.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories