Geoanna Santana
With the fall and holiday seasons quickly approaching, plans are in place for a fun, festive, and fully reimagined holiday season in downtown Sacramento. After pausing for a season in 2020, the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink and Theatre of Lights are back, adding to Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s impressive lineup of holiday events. Movies Under the Stars was launched by the organization in 2020 and will be back this year, moving from Ali Youssefi Square to the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
“Being able to bring back the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink and Theatre of Lights this year is really special,” said Michael Ault, Executive Director for Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “We’re also excited to be bringing our Movies Under the Stars event to its new home at the Old Sacramento Waterfront!”
“Movies Under the Stars” returns in October
Thursday evenings this October, “Movies Under the Stars” are back! This year, downtown visitors and residents can enjoy a series of outdoor family-friendly spooky movies at the Old Sacramento State Historic Park (111 I Street). Presented by Xfinity in partnership with California State Parks Capita District and the California State Railroad Museum, attendees are encouraged to arrive early and order takeout from the surrounding businesses. A full list of open businesses at the Old Sacramento Waterfront can be found at OldSacramento.com.
The 2021 “Movies Under the Stars” line-up is as follows:
- October 14 at 7 p.m. – Clue
- October 21 at 7 p.m. – Hocus Pocus – SOLD OUT
- October 28 at 7 p.m. – The Haunted Mansion
Movie tickets are $10 each, or $40 for a group of four, including a complimentary blanket. Tickets can be purchased at GoDowntownSac.com. Attendees must bring their photo ID and QR ticket confirmation to receive headphones to enjoy the movie.
Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink returns November 11
The Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, the region’s oldest and most beloved outdoor rink, will open on Veterans Day (November 11, 2021) at Ali Youssefi Square (7th and K streets) in downtown Sacramento. Located steps away from the Golden 1 Center and DOCO (Downtown Commons), the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink will be open Tuesday through Sunday through January 16, 2022.
Ice Rink tickets are $6 for kids 6 and under, $13 per skater during regular hours, and $15 per skater during holiday hours. More information on daily hours and special events can be available at GoDowntownSac.com/icerink.
Theatre of Lights (November 24 – December 24)
To add to the winter festivities and continue the spirited holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout the region, the annual Theatre of Lights show will return to the Old Sacramento Waterfront this season. Presented by Dignity Health, Theatre of Lights was conceived and created by Stage Nine Entertainment’s Troy Carlson and is produced by some of California’s finest talents in the field of light and sound: BP Productions, Associated Sound and Skywalker Sound, and Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy. Theatre of Lights artfully blends the historic charm of the Old Sacramento Waterfront state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology to create a memorable holiday experience for visitors of all ages.
The electrifying and family-friendly holiday show will debut on Wednesday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Eve) immediately following the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Front & K Streets at 6 p.m. After the debut night, two 20-minute performances are offered on Thursdays through Sundays at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day when no performances are scheduled). Additional performances are scheduled for Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 22.
Downtown Sacramento Partnership will be following all health authority and government agency guidelines surrounding COVID-19. For the safety of staff, vendors, and visitors, the following actions will be taken and Downtown Partnership will require that attendees also follow these protocols:
- Hand sanitizer will be made available at the check-in booth.
- Attendees are asked to do their part in physical distancing at least 6’ apart from those not in their group.
- Attendees are required to stay home if they are sick or if they have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, respiratory symptoms, or shortness of breath.