The Theater of Lights, a free show at the tops of the buildings at the Old Sacramento waterfront offers fun for families and a bit of a nostalgic experience for teens.
Being featured all throughout the month of December on Fridays and Saturdays.
I arrived on a Saturday around sunset before the show started and I walked around the waterfront, taking this opportunity to explore the shops on the main street.
I had never actually taken the time to actually explore this neighborhood, despite frequent visits to Evangeline’s Costume Mansion.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found a few shops that truly made me feel like I was on a holiday vacation. The Vault novelty shop (102 K St.) felt endless in holiday trinkets, art, toys, and clothes. There was also a miniature train going all around the ceiling with a soft volume of holiday music. For your holiday shopping, you can also check out Peruvian Crafts, where I bought a dress.
Outside on the sidewalk there was a caramel popcorn vendor. Walking by I smelt the potent scent of sweet caramel, and I noticed that every time someone would walk by they would immediately mention the smell to whomever they were with.
As the time got closer for the show to start, holiday music began to play in the street, setting the mood and people also started gathering in the middle of the street. I originally thought that they were possibly in line for something or that there was some alternative event that I was not aware of. However, I started hearing the voices of characters and that’s when I realized that an event was taking place. Then I looked up at the roofs across the street, there were some cute sets on the balconies and a man portraying Santa Claus. I then heard a mischievous voice that caught me off guard; this ended up being Jack Frost. With clattering above me and seeing where peoples eyes kept shifting to I got the hint there was also a performance going on above the sidewalk I was on as well and I understood why there were so many people gathering in the middle of the street, rather than one side. By now the entire street was filled with people. I saw a lot of families and kids of all ages watching the show.
The show was an exciting story with Santa Claus and Jack Frost, featuring the theater of lights. The show controlled all of the street’s Christmas lights, along with all the light decorations on the large Christmas tree at the end of the street right where the docks were. Bubble makers simulated snow during the show, which the kids really enjoyed.
I saw kids standing with their parents and even some on the shoulders of their mothers and fathers. There was a lot of enjoyable crowd interaction, which truly added to the atmosphere. The performers often had the audience interact through singing along and doing repeat after me type things in some parts of the performance. You could hear the commentary of the people around you as the show reached its climax, which to me was humorous as well.
Overall this was among my favorite holiday experiences I have had since I was younger. The show and the environment in Old Sacramento truly emulated the Christmas experience, everything from the show itself to Steamers coffee shop across the street where I got a chai latte, were enjoyable, family friendly, and impressively catered to all ages. It is just what you would want during this holiday season.
The show starts at 6 p.m. and continues every Friday and Saturday through Christmas, plus a Christmas Eve show.
