SN&R’s holiday non-shopping guide

This year’s been especially tough. From the devastating Northern California wildfires to the uptick in Sacramento’s housing costs; not to mention, the current Twitter-loving, Grinch-in-chief threatening nuclear war, let’s face it—we all need a little holiday cheer. Scratch that. We all need a little holiday cheer that won’t hurt our depleted pocketbooks. But, there is hope. SN&R gathered eight festive—and free—activities to inspire a little holiday cheer.

Theatre of Lights

Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem “’ Twas the Night Before Christmas” will come to life on the balconies and facades in Old Sacramento with its theatrical lighting during the annual Macy’s Theatre of Lights. Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy, will liven up the classic tale that runs every Thursday through Sunday from now until Christmas Eve, with performances scheduled at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each evening. Bring the entire family, grab a cup of hot chocolate and browse the stores that line the cobble-stone streets of Old Sac before seeing the historic district shine bright with holiday cheer. Front Street and K Street in Old Sacramento, http://oldsacramento.com.

You might not have the best running stride, but it’s never too late to be the loudest cheerleader during Run to Feed the Hungry. One of Sacramento’s largest fundraising marathons, this event benefits the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services each Thanksgiving holiday. On Thursday, November 23—rain or shine—the 10K run starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9 a.m. on J Street, just west of the entrance of Sacramento State. It doesn’t cost a dime to be a spectator and cheer on all those runners in the cold or hand them water during that last-mile stretch to encourage them all to finish for a great cause. Last year, more than 29,000 participants made this event the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run in the country. www.runtofeedthehungry.com.

The day after Turkey Day, head over to Fairytale Town for its annual free-admission day on Friday, November 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the food coma is too much to handle, families have another chance to participate on December 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The family-friendly amusement park waives admission with a canned food item for donation to the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Holiday Spirit of Giving Food Drive. The event also features free arts and crafts activities and a puppet show for the kids. The Food Bank’s wish list includes canned fruits and veggies, soup, peanut butter and more. ’Tis the season for giving. Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, www.fairytaletown.org.

For more than 30 years, Saint John’s Program for Real Change has provided shelter and comfort to Sacramento’s homeless women and children in crisis. In June 2017, Saint John’s remodeled and expanded its facility to increase its maximum yearly capacity to 1,000 occupants and provide them with temporary housing, children’s programs and job-placement services. Now through December 7, the Sigma Delta Omega sorority chapter of Elk Grove is collecting toys for children ages 3 to 12, and new or gently used clothes for women during the Saint John’s Holiday Toy & Clothing Drive. It’s a chance to brighten a mother’s spirit and make all of Sacramento’s children feel special this Christmas. You can’t put a price on that. Bring donations to: Saint John’s Program for Real Change, 2443 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Suite 369, http://saintjohnsprogram.org.

It’s nice to get out of town for the evening, especially when it’s less than an hour away. On Saturday, December 2, join the Lynn Hahn Memorial Delta Reflections for its lighted boat parade in Stockton. The parade kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Marina West and will reach the Downtown Stockton Marina and Weber Point Water Front at 6 p.m. It will take place rain or shine, so dress warm and see large yachts to smaller fishing boats decorated in lights and holiday garb from port to starboard side during this waterfront affair. 445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 128-B in Stockton, http://deltaboating.com/mwyc.html.

Pub-Santa is SN&R’s favorite kind of Santa. Join jolly ol’ Saint Nick on Saturday, December 2, as he visits from the North Pole from noon to 4 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event to raise money for Mai Sheng, a West Sacramento mom who tragically lost her three children in September 2017. Activities include family photos with Santa, sugar cookie decorating for the kids, a holiday market with 37 craft vendors, face-painting, and a raffle with prizes like a $2,500 estate plan, gift boxes, jewelry, electronics and more. Coffee and hot cocoa will also be served to enjoy by the pub’s fire pits. 1483 Shore Street in West Sacramento.

Think of caroling without the singing aspect and you’ve got the idea of how Unsilent Night works. This event aims to keep the tradition of neighborhood holiday caroling alive, but with a technological twist, as participants are asked to meet at the fountain in Freemont Park on December 16 at 6 p.m. and bring a smartphone, iPod, mp3 player and a portable speaker like a Bluetooth to amplify music that they download from the Unsilent Night website. There are four tracks available to download and each is meant to be played in sync as participants walk the streets of Midtown amplifying the tunes. In the past, old-school boom boxes have also been used, but what’s cool about Unsilent Night is participants dress in fun holiday garb and parade the streets in good spirit. Freemont Park, 1515 Q Street, www.unsilentnight.com.

Ring in the New Year at the Crocker Art Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve party, an event for the entire family on Sunday, December 31 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. An annual tradition at the museum where families count down to the New Year at noon so everyone’s awake to celebrate 2018. A ball drop complete with winter fairies blowing magical bubbles and festive music provided by 13-year-old DJ Eve will get a dance party started. Festive art activities where children can make hats and noisemakers will take place throughout the museum. Be sure to stop by the new Tot Land, an exploration room that houses a large boat and wooden play structures designed for infants and kids up to 5 years old. What’s more, multicultural dances from the Sacramento Pow Wow Dancers, Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko, and Fenix Drum and Dance will also perform. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, www.crockerart.org.