The holiday season has arrived – whether you’re ready or not. Brave the cold weather this weekend and get into the holiday spirit. As an added bonus the City of Sacramento is offering free parking at meters Downtown (I through L streets and Front to 29th streets) after 4:30 pm on weekdays and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. This weekend’s events kick off on Thursday with the State Capitol’s annual tree lighting at 5:30 pm. If it’s lights you love, check out the 700 block of K Street across from the Carnival at St. Rose painted with thousands of LED lights. As a grand finale, experience the Theatre of Lights show in Old Sacramento. The free show illuminates the district Thursday through

Please join The Sacramento Press on Saturday for a day of fun and helping the community.  Bring new or used sports equipment and gain free admission to The Carnival at St. Rose plus a chance to win tickets to the December 6 Kings game.      WHAT:  The Sacramento Press sponsors a drive to collect new or used sports equipment   WHO:  Proceeds benefit Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (www.sfbs.org)   WHERE:  The Carnival at St. Rose, 7th and K Sts., Sacramento   WHEN:  10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, December 5   WHY:  Underprivileged children gain equipment to play athletics   HOW:  Donation of new or used sports equipment gains free admission to the carnival   MORE:  Dona

Sacramento's Carnival of Lights began with the lighting of the 50ft tall Westfield Plaza Christmas tree. 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 starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3. The collaborative effort will feature architectural lighting, holiday décor, and holiday events including the Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento and the Carnival at St. Rose at 7th & K streets. Below, are scenes of the Carnival at St. Rose and the Carnival of Lights festivities: The Carnival at St. Rose is 5-week holiday event that has transformed 7th and K street

A worker uses a plumb line to make sure Westfield Downtown Plaza's  Christmas tree stands straight. It was delivered by crane early this morning.  The tall tree was lowered into a hole in the concrete in front of the plaza.   Huge planks of wood are used as shims to straighten the trunk. This worker walked the circumference of the tree, using his plumb line from all angles, to ensure the tree stands upright.   This year will be a brighter holiday for Sacramento. The first-ever Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3. The Carniv