Plan your holiday season in Vacaville with our detailed event guide. Whether you're rediscovering your city or visiting for the first time, our guide showcases the best of Vacaville's holidays.
One of the highlights of the season is the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, where the charm of Victorian England comes to life, offering festive shopping and delightful entertainment. The Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Train provides a unique experience, featuring a scenic ride while enjoying holiday treats and visits from Santa. And the Union Square Christmas Events is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a vibrant atmosphere with twinkling lights and seasonal festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Vacaville
- Union Square Christmas Events (San Francisco)
- Great Dickens Christmas Fair (San Francisco)
- Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Train (Napa)
- Gourmet Holiday Express (Napa)
- Theatre of Lights (Sacramento)
- Contra Costa Ballets The Nutcracker (Walnut Creek)
- River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train (West Sacramento)
- Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town (Sacramento)
- Holiday Parade of Lights (Pacific Grove)
- Holiday Lights at Northgate Mall (San Rafael)
See these and even more events listed below!
Vacaville Holiday Light Displays
Oakley Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live entertainment and Santa's visit.
Description:
The City of Oakley hosts its annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Civic Center Plaza, featuring free cookies and cocoa, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and a special visit from Santa Claus. The event includes performances by local organizations and culminates with the lighting of a grand 30-foot Christmas tree near the Veteran’s Memorial.
Where: Oakley | More Info: Oakley Christmas Tree Lighting
Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting is a vibrant evening event that kicks off the holiday season with music, entertainment, and a special Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Santa Claus.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Walnut Creek Holiday Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting
Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa and nightly snowfall.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Fairytale Town with Santa Claus, nightly snowfall, festive decorations, and various arts and crafts activities.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
Holiday Lights at Northgate Mall
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday light display with festive decorations.
Description:
Explore the beautifully designed indoor holiday light walk-through at Northgate Mall, featuring a stunning display of festive lights and decorations.
Where: San Rafael | More Info: Holiday Lights at Northgate Mall
Holiday Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Celebrating coastal California living with diverse holiday floats.
Description:
The 2024 Holiday Parade of Lights in Pacific Grove celebrates the essence of coastal California living with a "Sand and Sea Holiday" theme. The parade features marching bands, holiday floats, dance teams, and equestrian groups, culminating in a festive atmosphere that welcomes everyone to join in. The event takes place on Lighthouse Avenue, starting at the corner of Fountain and Lighthouse, running down Lighthouse to Park Street, making a U-turn, and ending at Grand Avenue.
Where: Pacific Grove | More Info: Holiday Parade of Lights
Vacaville Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas On The Farm
What to Expect:
Vintage items and nostalgic finds at a charming farm setting.
Description:
Explore a charming vintage sale at Summitt Farm, featuring unique and nostalgic items perfect for holiday gifts or personal treasures.
Where: Vacaville | More Info: Christmas On The Farm
Holiday Sip & Shop at Campos Family Vineyards
What to Expect:
Unique blend of shopping, music, and wine.
Description:
Join us for the Annual Holiday Sip and Shop at Campos Family Vineyards, featuring over 40 vendors, live music, delicious food, and great wine.
Where: Byron | More Info: Holiday Sip & Shop at Campos Family Vineyards
Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join Downtown Martinez & Co. for a festive evening of holiday sparkle, sipping, and shopping. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony amidst a vibrant atmosphere filled with local vendors and seasonal delights.
Where: Martinez | More Info: Holiday Sparkle Sip & Shop & Tree Lighting
Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven arts and crafts festival with local artisans.
Description:
Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, featuring local artisans, handmade crafts, and interactive activities.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival
Vacaville Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Santa's grand entrance with live music and performances.
Description:
The Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting features heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers, culminating in Santa's grand entrance. The event includes memorable visits with Santa and roaming entertainers.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting
Theatre of Lights
What to Expect:
Live dramatization of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on historic rooftops.
Description:
Theatre of Lights is a free, family-friendly performance retelling "Twas the Night Before Christmas" uniquely in Sacramento on the rooftops of Old Sacramento Waterfront. The show features an immersive retelling of Moore's 1823 poem alongside stories of Sacramento pioneers' experiences in the 1850s. The performance includes live dramatization on the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost and the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Theatre of Lights
Gourmet Holiday Express
What to Expect:
Three-course kid-friendly holiday dinner in an antique dining car.
Description:
The Gourmet Holiday Express offers a three-course kid-friendly dinner in an antique Pullman dining car, featuring fresh baked holiday cookies and cocoa, along with a digital or printed photo opportunity with Santa.
Where: Napa | More Info: Gourmet Holiday Express
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian London setting with diverse entertainment and shopping.
Description:
Immerse yourself in Victorian London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, featuring over 4 acres of music halls, theatres, pubs, and charming shops filled with colorful characters and delightful experiences.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Contra Costa Ballets The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Contra Costa Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a family-friendly production featuring colorful costumes, whimsical sets, and talented young dancers. This one-hour performance is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic.
Where: Walnut Creek | More Info: Contra Costa Ballets The Nutcracker
Vacaville Other Holiday Activities
Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive dining.
Description:
Embark on a holiday journey through Napa Valley with the Napa Valley Wine Train's Santa Train. Enjoy festive cuisine, hot cider, and cookies while visiting Santa and his elves. Each experience offers unique dining options and memorable photo opportunities.
Where: Napa | More Info: Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Train
River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Step aboard the River Fox Train for a holiday tradition that is fun for the whole family. Each ticket includes a 1-hour train ride, hot cocoa, a souvenir mug, and a cookie. Santa's elves will guide passengers in holiday sing-alongs, elfish games, and fun activities. Children can remind Santa how nice they have been all year with a letter to Santa. Santa Claus joins each family for a visit, and comfortable seating is available in indoor cars.
Where: West Sacramento | More Info: River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train
Union Square Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Unique blend of ice skating and holiday entertainment.
Description:
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, offers outdoor ice skating and holiday festivities in downtown San Francisco. Special events include Drag Queens On Ice, Silent Skate, and Polar Bear Skate. Learn to Skate sessions are available for beginners, led by professional instructors.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Union Square Christmas Events
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fairfield (8 miles)
- Suisun (9 miles)
- Davis (19 miles)
- American Canyon (19 miles)
- Bay Point (23 miles)
- Vallejo (23 miles)
- Benicia (23 miles)
- Pittsburg (23 miles)
- Martinez (25 miles)
- Woodland (25 miles)
- Antioch (26 miles)
- Concord (26 miles)
- Pleasant Hill (29 miles)
- Hercules (29 miles)
- Oakley (29 miles)
- West Sacramento (29 miles)
- Laguna (31 miles)
- Sacramento (31 miles)
- Walnut Creek (31 miles)
- Florin (33 miles)
- Lafayette (33 miles)
- Brentwood (33 miles)
- San Pablo (33 miles)
- Elk Grove (34 miles)
- Richmond (35 miles)
- El Cerrito (35 miles)
- Vineyard (35 miles)
- Petaluma (36 miles)
- Rosemont (36 miles)
- Berkeley (37 miles)
- Danville (37 miles)
- Galt (38 miles)
- Rohnert Park (39 miles)
- San Rafael (40 miles)
- Santa Rosa (40 miles)
- San Ramon (40 miles)
- Carmichael (40 miles)
- North Highlands (40 miles)
- Rancho Cordova (40 miles)
- Foothill Farms (41 miles)
- Oakland (41 miles)
- Lodi (42 miles)
- Antelope (43 miles)
- Alameda (43 miles)
- Fair Oaks (44 miles)
- San Leandro (45 miles)
- Chinatown (45 miles)