‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
Arguably some of the most famous lines ever written and ones that Old Sacramento brings to life each year with its production of Macy’s Theatre of Lights! With 44 performances throughout the holiday season, Old Sacramento comes alive with lights, sound, music and the classic poem “The Night Before Christmas.”
The centerpiece for the beloved show is the City of Sacramento Christmas tree, which rolled into the historic district earlier this week at 58 feet high. Whether you’re a first-timer to Theatre of Lights or it’s been a treasured family tradition, this is one holiday show you won’t want to miss!
What to Expect
A blend of holiday cheer and our city’s history, Theatre of Lights is a show to delight all ages! Discover how early pioneers experienced the calamities — and revelry — that befell the new city in the 1850s. The sounds of fires, floods and parties surround the audience as the 150-year-old building facades light up with spectacular color.
The highlight of the 20-minute production is a live dramatization of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” upon the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost and lighting of the 58-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself.
Know the Schedule
Pick the shows you want to attend and gather the family for a fantastic night in the district. Show times are perfectly set so you can grab a bite to eat before, do some holiday shopping in Old Sac, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate after the show!
Regular Schedule:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 31 at 6:15 pm and 7:45 pm every Thursday – Sunday evenings
Special Times:
Nov. 25 at 6 pm
Dec. 21 – 23 at 6:15 pm and 7:45 pm
Dec. 24 at 6:15 pm
Dec. 31 at 7 pm and 8:30 pm
*No performance Christmas Day
Beat the Crowds
Old Sacramento loves the crowds that gather for the show, but we know you want the inside scoop on how to avoid some of them. While every show is well attended, Thursday nights often have fewer crowds and the first show of each night is usually calmer.
Get there early! You’ll get the best spot and enjoy the show more if you stake out the best spot on K St. Our advice – once K St is closed to traffic, come out from under the balconies of the buildings so you’ll be able to see everything!
Don’t try to find a metered spot inside the district – with so many guests and so few spots, you’ll end up circling forever. Instead, take advantage of the three convenient parking garages. Macy’s West Garage is the most underused garage and just a short walk to the show through the K Street tunnel!
Old Sacramento Garage | 2nd & I streets
Tower Bridge Garage | Capitol & Neasham
Macy’s West Garage | 3rd & L streets
Be Safe
Know what streets are closed to traffic and which aren’t! Pretty lights can be distracting and we don’t blame you for looking up at the show instead of down at the cars. While we close K St between Front and Firehouse Alley during the show, all other streets in the district remain open to traffic. This means you need to stay inside the barricades on K St or safely on the boardwalks!
Don’t let the little ones wander off! With such large crowds we don’t want any little ones losing their parents so keep a close eye on them.
Full event details, schedule and volunteer information can be found at oldsacramento.com/special-events/theatre-of-lights