HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY LIST

							HOLIIDAY ACTIIVIITIIES
HOL DAY ACT V T ES
Dear 4-H Families,

This is the time of year to spend with loved ones and to take a moment to have fun and reflect on all we are grateful for. Gratitude and
strong family and social connections are two of the most beneficial things we can provide for our children. Some studies indicate it can
account for about 80% of our overall happiness- now and into the future! In addition, exposing children to a wide variety of experiences,
from ballet to magic, wild turkeys to clay, helps to guide their passions and spark their minds. Exposure to a variety of experiences has
been linked to increased academic performance.

So, I have compiled a list of activities (and written them on my personal calendar) suitable for families in the Yolo/Sacramento area. I
hope to see you out having fun, as I will be with my family. – Marcel Horowitz



ACTIIVIITY LIIST
ACT V TY L ST
The Adventures of Pinocchio
November 19, 2009 - January 3, 2010, B Street Theatre. An adaptation of Carlo Collodi's famous Italian folktale about the wood carver
Geppetto who makes a puppet out of a block of pine to hilarious results. The puppet, Pinocchio, wreaks havoc throughout the
countryside of Italy all in his attempt to become a real boy.

Sacramento Midtown Ice Skating Rink
November 20, 2009 - January 18, 2010. The rink will be in a street closure extending from K Street to the alley between J and K. For
the first time, Midtown will host an ice skating rink during the 2009-2010 winter season! Holiday fun for the whole family! There will be
24/7 security presence at the rink. http://www.sacramento365.com/event/detail/41217

Carnival of Lights with Downtown Sacramento Partnership
November 25, 2009 - January 3, 2010. This holiday season, the Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights
throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown. Lights, reminiscent of the historic Grand Electric Carnival of 1895.
Downtown Sacramento will be aglow with colorful lights, twinkling trees, shooting stars, holiday banners and much more!

Theatre of Lights
November 25, 2009 - January 3, 2010. Location: Front & K Streets and the Carnival St. Rose at the end of the Downtown Plaza Mall.
A symphony lights, sounds and visual effects will take you back to a time when the beloved poem "The Night Before Christmas" was
first introduced in Sacramento in 1857. Start a new holiday tradition with this fantastic display of holiday story-telling at its best. The
inaugural night will take place on November 25 in conjunction with the annual Old Sacramento Tree Lighting at 6 pm. Two 10-minute
light shows will run throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

Sacramento Zoo – Target Free Admission Day
November 27 - 10 am to 4 pm, Bring the whole family out for Target Free Admission Day! Yes, everyone gets into the Zoo for free
all day thanks to Target! This also marks the end of our canned food drive benefiting the Sacramento Food Bank and families in need.
Please consider bringing a canned food item when you visit the Zoo. The Food Bank especially needs items such as canned soups and
fruits, tuna, peanut butter, Mac and cheese, ramen and baby formula and cereals. The Marines will also be on-site to kick off our Toys
For Tots program where anyone donating a new unwrapped gift receives a free child’s admission ticket to the Sacramento Zoo to use
at their convenience.

Fairy Tale Town - Free Admission Day
November 27, 2009, 10AM – 4PM. Fairytale Town offers free admission the day after Thanksgiving as a chance to say thanks for
visiting us throughout the year. Families who bring in a canned good receive free admission to Fairytale Town. All canned goods will be
donated to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Holiday Spirit of Giving Food Drive. Activities during the event include an arts &
craft activity and puppet shows by Puppet Art Theater in our Children’s Theater. Puppet shows tickets are $1 for members and $2 for
nonmembers.
Downtown Davis Holiday Celebration
December 3, come be a part of one of Davis' oldest traditions, as the annual Children's Parade marches, choirs sing, Santa greets his
guests, "The Grinch" returns to the Varsity Theatre and the Holiday Tree is illuminated in E Street Plaza.
http://www.davisdowntown.com/ddba_events/holidaycelebration09/

Sacramento Philharmonic
December 3-7, 2009 at B Street Theatre. Bohuslav Martinu, Kitchen Revue -- Francis Poulenc, Masked Ball -- Igor Stravinsky, The
Soldier's Tale Laugh, listen, and maybe shed a tear with the Sacramento Philharmonic Soloists, B Street Theatre and Maestro Michael
Morgan in a moment of music and story telling for the whole family. Root for Joseph the Soldier, in his battle with the devil over a violin,
a magic book, a far away kingdom, and of course, a Princess!

Davis Wetlands Tour
December 5th & January 2nd. Docent lead tours of the Wetlands occur on the first Saturday of the month. Please contact the Yolo
Basin Foundation for tour times at 530-757-4828

Fairy Tale Town - Winter Wonderland
December 5 – 6, 2009 & December 12 – 13, 2009 6PM – 9PM - Join us as we light up the park with a wonderful display of holiday
lights, and celebrate the season with special arts & crafts, live holiday music, holiday vendors and plenty of other exciting holiday
surprises! The event features a gift-wrapping, FREE hands on activities, photos with Father Christmas (additional cost), and more! This
is a special ticketed event, purchase your tickets today and join us for four nights of friends, family and holiday cheer! Note: Fairytale
Town will close its gates at 3 p.m. on these days in order to prepare for the evening’s festivities. Free Admission Day Thursday,
December 24, 2009, 10AM - 2PM We’re offering free admission on this day as a holiday gift to our guests.

Home Depots Kids Workshop
December 5th, 9:00-12:00, Children 5-12 learn to build a small wagon.

Davis Parks & Recreation - Winter Workshop
December 5th, 10am-4pm. Veterans Memorial Center, Club Room 8645 S1, Ages: 6 to 12 years, Cost $44.00. Spend the day holiday
shopping while your children do some of their own. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a homemade gift. Children will spend the
afternoon making gifts, decorations and cards and playing games. Fee includes all craft supplies, lunch, supervision and activities. The
holidays sneak up on you so take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get ahead! Space is limited so sign up early.
http://cityofdavis.org/cs/download/pdfs/recsched-2009-fall.pdf

Nature Play for Kids
December 6, from 10am - noon. At Stebbins Cold Canyon Nature’s Theater - Birdman (for ages 4-8) All activities are open to the
public. Optional fees: $5 per person or $10 per family. Activities fill up fast; reservations are required. E-mail Jeff Falyn,
jfalyn@ucdavis.edu, with your name, address, event date, and phone number and-or e-mail address, and indicate whether you need
directions. More information: nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins.html. More info on Stebbins Canyon at
http://daviswiki.org/Stebbins_Cold_Canyon_Reserve

Woodland Holiday Parade
December 12th. Downtown Main Street Woodland. Be sure to look for Willow Oak 4-H Club’s Float.

Sacramento Zoo, Holiday Magic: Target Free Admission Day
December 12 from 10 am to 4 pm. Why should only humans receive gifts during the holidays? It’s time for Holiday Magic—watch as
the animals unwrap their holiday goodies and enjoy free Zoo admission thanks to Target! Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys
for Tots, and receive a free child’s admission ticket to the Sacramento Zoo to use at your convenience.

Crocker Art Museum- Second Saturday for Families: Eat Your Art!
December 12, 2009 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm, Duration 3 hours, contact emoore@cityofsacramento.org, 916.808.1961. Bring your
festive mood to squish, spread and sprinkle color, shapes and lines onto cookies - an edible canvas. Groups of seven or more are
required to make special arrangements. Please contact Education Manager-Experiential Learning, Emma Moore for more information.
Free with admission.

American River Habitat Improvement
December 13th at 8:00AM. Come and help Jack improve the Nature Area. Call Jack at 967-0777 if you can help with this project.

Gibson House Museum Holiday Open House
December 13, 2009 at 1, 2, 3 pm - Tours of the Gibson House Museum decorated for the holidays. Free. On Santa Sunday, Dec. 6,
the Gibson House will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Santa will be on hand to greet children, who will also be able to make
a Christmas craft. There will be holiday items for sale, as well as any trees or decorations that weren't auctioned on Saturday night.
Refreshments will be served, and docents will be on hand to give tours of the house.

Davis Children’s Nutcracker Performance
Dec 16, 7:00, Dec 17, 7:00, Dec 18, 7:00, Dec 19, 2:00, Dec 19, 7:00, Dec 20, 2:00. 250 children perform this classic Christmas story.
http://cityofdavis.org/cs/nutcracker/
Effie Yeaw Nature Story Time
December 19th at 10:30AM. Join a Nature Center Naturalist for some cozy reading of our favorite nature story books. Good for all
ages.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Dec. 21 & Dec 22, 10:30-noon. Decorative Holiday Crafting for Families, Join Auntie Libby and make some cute and clever items for
holiday gifts or decorations. Help the earth by using some recycled materials. Suited for ages 5 through adult, children must be
accompanied by an adults. Six per person, per day and pre-registration is required.

Downtown Sacramento Walking Tours
June 22-December 31, 2009. Kids Meet the City a tour of California history especially for kids. This tour is specially designed to serve
as a fun and interactive way to introduce local history to students of all ages. This unique walk through downtown will explore the Gold
Rush, the history and route of the famed Pony Express, John Sutter’s place in California history, and the Big Four of the railroad
industry as well as offer an introduction to city government with a visit into City Council Chambers. Fridays: 10 am, STARTING POINT:
Steps of Historic City Hall, 915 'I' Street. COST: $10 per adult and one child under 13 years old, $5 for each additional child. Call 442-
8575 for group rates.

YMCA Sports
January 10th - February 28th. Basketball registration is underway. http://www.yolocountyymca.org/Fall%2008%20Basketball%20Flyer.pdf

SCHEHERAZADE (Narrated for Kids) Target Family Concert Event
January 24, 2010 - 1:00 PM - Community Center Theater, Downtown Sacramento, Admission only $10. Kids under 12 FREE!!
Pre-Concert Festivities - 1:00 pm Concert - 2:00 PM. During this Target Family event take a dazzling musical magic carpet ride as the
Philharmonic and Leah Ladd of Sacramento’s B Street Theater team up in this enchanting, kid-friendly presentation of Rimsky-
Korsakov’s ever popular Scheherazade, based on the Tales from 1001 Arabian Nights. Through the magic of musical storytelling,
Scheherazade recounts the legend of the Sultan Shahryar, as he is charmed by an amazing series of stories told each night by his wife,
Scheherazade. Come at 1 pm and enjoy lots of fun activities for kids of all ages, all to get you warmed up and ready for our main
concert at 2 pm. Watch Live Middle Eastern Dancing, Create your own Arts & Crafts, Listen to Enchanting Stories from 1001 Arabian
Nights, Learn about all the Instruments in the Philharmonic, Discover Persian Culture, Meet Scheherazade and the Sultan Shahryar, Be
certain not to miss this wonderful event, as your whole family is sure to be whisked away on an exciting voyage of fantasy and
imagination!

Davis Art Center
They have a lot of upcoming classes, see their schedule at http://www.davisartcenter.org/catalogs/Winter-Spring2010_Web.pdf
Friends and Family Clay Nights or Days - This workshop gives friends and families a chance to spend two evenings together, working
on clay projects. The first evening participants will learn the basics of hand building and then have the opportunity to make up to three
art objects. Work will be fired and ready for glazing the following week. This workshop is available for children ages 4 and up and for the
big people in their lives: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.