By Nicholas Ibarra | OBSERVER Staff Writer

Courtesy of istockphoto

All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER’s community events calendar at SacObserver.com. Be sure to submit your events two weeks in advance to have the chance to be featured on the list.

  1. Season’s Greetings: Holiday Cards – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Dec. 18-Jan. 18, at Gallery at 48 Natoma. This is a nationally touring exhibit of seasonal holiday cards from art luminaries of the 1950s and ’60s. The gallery will be filled with a fantastic collection of colorful hand-printed cards from the private collection of Vincent Cianni, New York. Free and open to the public.
  2. Photos with Santa – 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Dec. 18-24, at Arden Fair. Santa is back, and he’s ready to take photos and make memories to last a lifetime! The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland. Santa can be found at Center Court near Coach. Photos from $39.99.
  3. Holiday Book Crawl – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Dec. 18-24, at Sacramento area bookstores. There are 11 participating independent bookstores in the city and beyond. Spend $10+ at each and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one year’s worth of books – $50 gift certificate to each bookstore – a $550 value. Find the list of stores online.
  4. Wild Nights and Holiday Lights – 5-8:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Dec. 18-22, at Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. This annual family event returns for the 13th year with thousands of bright lights, sparkling ornaments and trees, lighted animal figures, and displays transforming the zoo sanctuary with holiday spirit. Tickets are $10.
  5. West Comedy Jam Showcase – 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at Celebration Arts. Dejan Tyler’s Handcrafted Comedy and Celebration Arts theater showcases a lineup of NorCal’s funniest comedians hoping to lock down a spot on a new TV show titled “West Comedy Jam.” Tickets are $30.
  6. Darkness to Light: A Vox Christmas Concert Series – 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. This concert focuses on the transition from darkness to light. They begin in darkness, singing a beloved arrangement of “Silent Night,” and close by singing Dan Forrest’s “Lux,” a multimovement work that reminds us that there is always hope for light and peace. Tickets from $15.
  7. Drop-in Skate Park – 4-8:45 p.m. Tues.-Fri., Dec. 19-29, at 28th and B Skate and Urban Art Park. Skaters are invited to ollie and grind the indoor street course of a bowl, quarter pipes, fun boxes and grind rails. All sessions are supervised by city staff. Free and open to the public. Youth must register.
  8. 2023 Alliance Holiday Mixer – 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Mesa Mercado. Join an evening filled with laughter, delicious food and a great cause. Their annual donation drive will benefit Clothing and Food for Everyone (CAFFE). Tickets from $15.
  9. Women’s Council of Realtors Sacramento Annual Appreciation Luncheon – Noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Summit Funding. Enjoy food, raffle prizes, fun and all-around holiday cheer. Canned food items will be accepted for donation. Free for members, otherwise $25.
  10. Imaginarium: Holiday Lights Fairytale Delights – 5-10 p.m. Wed.-Sun., Dec. 20-Jan. 7, at Cal Expo. A nightly show with synchronized music and lights, and more than 25 larger-than-life interactive creatures. Tickets from $21.
  11. Black Women Gods Gather Christmas Dinner & Communal Transformation – 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Grange Restaurant and Bar. This event includes a lovely four-course meal and two cocktails or beverages of your choice, as well as engaging in alchemical games intended for depth and expansion, while placing deeper-than-normal attention on each other. Tickets are $500.
  12. Black Men Alive and Well Support Group – 6-8 p.m. first and third Wednesdays monthly at 520 Ninth Street, Suite 102. This group provides a safe and honest forum for Black men to come together twice a month and discuss issues related to being a Black man in America. Free and open to the public.
  13. TrapxCanvas – 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Enfuzion Bar and Lounge. Experience a paint-and-sip like never before, with trap classics blasting through the speakers, drinks flowing and fun with friends. Tickets are $40.
  14. 10th Annual Homeless Memorial – 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at City Hall. Honoring more than 2,000 of our unhoused neighbors who have passed away over the last 10 years. Free and open to the public.
  15. Say It Loud: Live Comedy – 8-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club. Headlined by Javon Whitlock, there will be performances from Joey Giuffre, D Roc, Aja Mae and Michael Calvin Jr. Tickets are $20.
  16. Polar Express Experience – 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at 4550 Stockton Blvd. Meet Santa Claus, enjoy festive treats, and sing along to your favorite holiday tunes. Tickets from $5.
  17. 2024 MLK Essay Contest – Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, via mlkessaycontestsac@gmail.com. Open middle and high school students who live in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, or Yolo County. First-, second- and third-place winners will receive cash prizes and be recognized as part of the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Sac State.
  18. Tis the Season: Around the World – 1 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Dec. 23-24, at the Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts. Based on the very first B Street Theatre holiday comedy, join the fun and learn all about how different people enjoy the holidays in different parts of the world. Tickets from $21.
  19. 7th Cannabis Industry Business Mixer – 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Queen Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine. This exclusive event promises to bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts from the cannabis industry for an evening of networking, knowledge sharing and business opportunities. Free and open to the public.
  20. 38th Annual Holiday Meal – 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, at Davis Veterans Memorial Center. This year’s meal features a menu change that consists of handmade vegan tamales, refried beans, Spanish rice and kale salad. Free and open to the public.