Looking for things to do this weekend? Here's a list of events happening in Northern California from Friday, Dec. 20, through Sunday, Dec. 22.
Before you head out the door, check the latest forecast here. Rain and snow is forecast across the region, but many of the events below will continue because they are indoors.
Vendors will sell plants and other holiday gifts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento. A terrarium workshop starts at 2 p.m. General admission is $5 and the workshop is $50. Learn more.
Old Norse Yule Market & Vikingr Feast
Celebrate Yule with an outdoor market featuring artisans, readers, food trucks and hot chocolate from 2-8 p.m. Saturday at the WitchGang Apothecary & Emporium in Sacramento. After sunset, there will be a Vikingr catered feast followed by a fire ritual. The market is free admission. The dinner is $50 and for ages 21 or older. Learn more.
Christmas Outreach
Everything at this event is free. There will be free food, free haircuts, free cellphones, free clothing, free hygiene products and more. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Liberty Ministries Church of God in Sacramento. Learn more.
Chanukah Wonderland
There will be crafts, games, candle making, a menorah competition, a gift shop, face painting, photo ops with Judah Macabee, latkes and an Israeli food court from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Folsom Community Center. Free admission. An unlimited wristband which includes all crafts, carnival games and a build-your-own menorah workshop, is $30. The event is organized by the Chabad Jewish Community Center. Learn more.
More than a hundred food and craft vendors run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation in Elk Grove. The items and accessories available include themes such as Hawaiian, Asian, Anime, Sanrio and Disney. A DJ will play music, and there will be a crafts station for kids. Learn more.
Winter Solstice Market
Vendors will sell arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove. Admission is free. Learn more.
A Christmas-themed festival will run from 4-9 p.m. Thursday to Sunday from Dec. 12 to Dec. 22 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton. There will be a skating rink, a light maze, photos with Santa, a carnival, face painting, crafts, a beer/wine garden, live music and food. Tickets are $15. Kids get in free. Parking is $10 with cash or $12 with card. Learn more.
Stockton Lantern Festival
The Stockton Lantern Festival has returned to the Stockton Ballpark with this year's theme: Koda's Journey through the Magic Ocean. The festival started Nov. 22 and runs through Jan. 19. The park will feature hundreds of large lanterns, with the tallest being 50 feet high and the longest being nearly 100 feet wide. Tickets are available at different prices. Learn more.
Santa at the Weberstown Mall
Santa Claus will be at the Weberstown Mall every day for pictures from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays starting Nov. 25 and ending Dec. 24. Reservations can be made in advance on the mall's website to skip the wait. Learn more.
Decorate ornaments and make wreaths from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at CalPride Stanislaus in Modesto. There will also be a donation drive to collect beanies, gloves and hand warmers. You must be 16 years or older to attend. Free admission Learn more.
Winter Wonderland
The Vine Chuch in Modesto is hosting a community event with food, games, toys and a bounce house from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Learn more.
Tamales Y Pozole Posada Festival 2024
Eat traditional Christmas dishes of tamales and pozole from 5-10 p.m. Saturday at The Muze in Modesto. There will also be music, food, artisans, games, prizes, piñatas, aguinaldos, a photo op with the Grinch, toys, a pozole contest, a tamales contest and more. Free admission. Learn more.