How to Spend the Holidays in Rancho Cordova

The holidays are a time to gather and celebrate family, friends, and fun. We’ve gathered a list of fun holiday activities for the whole family that you won't want to miss!

Holiday Hotel Deals in Rancho Cordova
Holiday cookie shaped like a car

For DIYers & Crafters

In November, the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce hosts a Craft Faire at Rancho Cordova City Hall. Vendors from all over the region set up booths and tables to sell their beautiful wares and guests participate in raffles for take-home prizes. Candles, woodwork, art, and more entice visitors and residents alike.

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center, (or The MACC as it's known to Rancho Cordova residents), hosts an annual Winter Fest. Admission is free and guests can shop at handicraft booths as well as talk to artists whose works are on display. It's a great way to support local while shopping for holiday gifts for your loved ones.

If you're a crafty DIYer and want to make your own gifts, Heart Craft Studio offers themed, seasonal crafting classes every month. You can sign up independently or take some friends for a group outing. Heart Craft also offers take-home craft kits, art supplies, and creative gifts for sale.

Pictured: Heart Craft Studio painting class

For Families & Christmas Light Lovers

Each November after Thanksgiving, the Annual Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting is held at Village Green Park. This family-friendly event delights our community year after year, and features a live nativity scene, stage performances including carolers, food trucks, community organizations and vendor booths, twinkling lights, and fireworks!

Just up the 50 freeway you can cut down your own Christmas tree in Apple Hill, home to a group of orchards, ranches, and farms that offer tantalizing treats, boutique vendors, and local produce! Grab a thermos of cocoa and spend your day on the mountain making family memories. Don't forget to bring tie-down straps and a quilt to transport your tree on the roof of your car!

Each year, the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum offers December weekend rides on their Santa Train at Hagan Community Park. Bring the whole family for a jolly good time, including a train ride with St. Nick himself, and get a family photo to commemorate the free event.

Onlookers watch a Christmas Tree Lighting in the park
Pictured: Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting

For Those Who Like to Give Back

Every child deserves a present on Christmas, and the spirit of giving comes alive during the Christmas in Cordova Toy Drive hosted by the Rancho Cordova Police Department! You can make wishes come true when you support families in need this holiday season by donating a new and unwrapped toy, gift wrapping paper and supplies, and arts and crafts materials. Alternatively, you can give a monetary donation. For a full list of places accepting donations, click here.

Feeling sporty? Lace up your favorite running shoes and make plans to attend the annual PAL Holiday Run brought to you by the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League to benefit local youth. Racers can register for the 1.2-mile family walk/run or the adult or youth 5k or 10k. Each racer receives a Santa hat, long-sleeve shirt, and a commemorative race medal. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Rancho Cordova City Hall. (This is also a drop-off spot for the Christmas in Cordova Toy Drive.)

Pictured: PAL Holiday Run

For Craft Brew Enthusiasts

Rancho Cordova's Barrel District offers 10 dog and family-friendly locations to sip local libations, including craft beer, classic cocktails, wine tasting, mead, and hard kombucha as well as delicious eats and food truck pop-ups. During the holiday season, many locations offer seasonal specials, merchandise, and bottles or cans for your holiday shopping needs.

Drink Eezy offers a Wine Advent Calendar each year that comes with 12 individual servings of wine. J.J. Pfister Distilling Co. is always stocked with great wearable swag like sweatshirts and hats. Strad Meadery offers an array of flavored mead (honey wine) that makes for unique gift-giving!

Pub Trivia also travels between the Barrel Disctrict locations, making for great holiday fun on weeknights. Grab a few friends, come up with a team name, and brainstorm together over beer in hopes to become the evening's winner!

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