Out and About: Special Holiday Edition 2023
From Pentatonix's latest Christmas concert to Sacramento's annual Nutcracker, celebrate the season with 10 events sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Photo by Elizabeth Delgado
Theatre of Lights
Nov. 22-Dec. 24 Four industrial snow machines and 10,000 watts of LED lights sprinkle holiday magic across the rooftops of Old Sacramento in this waterfront show now in its 15th year. Narrating the dramatization of Twas the Night Before Christmas is Bill Farmer (Disney’s Goofy), who will voice Santa, Jack Frost and Sacramento’s original newspaperman James McClatchy. oldsacramento.com
It’s a Wonderful Life: A live Radio Play
Dec 1-24 The New York Times called this adaptation of Frank Capra’s beloved holiday film—which features a staged radio production complete with comedic commercial breaks for TWA Airlines—“a lovable, evocative piece” when it premiered in 2011. Written by Joe Landry and coming to Chautauqua Playhouse in Carmichael this December, the play adds new warming layers to the story of George Bailey and his Bedford Falls neighbors. cplayhouse.org
Holiday in the Hills
Dec. 2-23 The Ghost of Christmas Past is very much alive at Folsom’s Sutter Street Theatre. Its annual musical decks the halls with boughs of history, bringing bygone local figures to the stage (like Peter J. Hopper. the 19th-century owner and editor of The Folsom Telegraph) against the backdrop of a festive holiday score. sutterstreettheatre.com
Winter Wonderland
Dec. 9-17 On Donner, on Dancer—on Hansel and Gretel! Now in its third decade, Fairytale Town’s Winter Wonderland transforms the 3.5-acre Land Park institution with twinkling lights, falling snow, holiday crafts, a new family scavenger hunt, and, of course, the main attraction: a jolly visit from Old Saint Nick. fairytaletown.org
The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-23 Sacramento Ballet’s rendition of the Tchaikovsky masterpiece is a gift we gladly unwrap every year. And with revamped lighting, new reflective snow-effect costumes and live accompaniment by the Sacramento Philharmonic, this year’s visit to the Land of Sweets promises to once again be a special treat. sacballet.org
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (Photo by Jeremy Daniel, Courtesy of Broadway Sacramento)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Dec. 27-31 Get ready for your heart to grow three sizes: Broadway Sacramento is bringing a singing Grinch to town. Adapted from Dr. Seuss’ tale of the ultimate holiday heist, the musical—which will be performed at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center—includes earworms like “Welcome Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from the 1966 animated TV special. broadwaysacramento.com
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