Arden Fair Mall sported well-behaved crowds today. Last night a midnight sale for the new Air Jordan athletic was cancelled when potential shoe buyers rushed mall doors and started pushing others. That sale was cancelled. This afternoon the scene seemed like a normal, bustling shopping day right before Christmas: Parents and kids endured lines waiting for Santa pictures to be taken, shoppers traversed escalators and stores,lovers sneaked kisses, clerks and delivery persons carried on. Here are some scenes:                           SacPress Photos | Kati Garner          

Join Santa at the Midtown Holiday Ice Rink for some Holiday memories on ICE! Santa's official photographer will be there to snap that last minute photo for Grandma's fridge of Santa and your little ones on the ice at the Midtown Holiday Ice Rink. Skate with Santa is from 6-8pm The Midtown Holiday Ice Rink is located at 20th & J streets in Midtown. For parking and additional information, log on to www.ExploreMidtown.org

The Midtown Holiday Ice Rink is the place to be!  School is out, Santa is near, the weather is great and the ice rink is HERE! Don't miss out on some festive Holiday fun for the whole family! The Midtown Holiday Ice Rink is open daily from 10am-10pm.  Don't miss a special Skate with Santa on December 23rd from 6-8pm! Photo courtesy of Tyler Waaler www.TylerWaaler.com

Santa welcomes his furry, feathered and scaly friends to join him for photos in his Midtown Toy Shoppe this Sunday, December 20th from 2-4pm. Photos start at $10 and proceeds benefit the Friends of the Sacramento City Animal Shelter. Santa's Midtown Toy Shoppe 1801 L Street, Suite 70 (between 18th & 19th)  

Disclaimer: the contributor of this and his wife run Movies on a Big Screen (MOBS), Sacramento’s weekly screening series of documentaries, general independent film, classics and cult titles. The following is blatant self-promotion of a MOBS event. According to Andy Williams' 1963 carol, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."  Well this year, Movies on a Big Screen has decided to restore some balance to the equation by offering two Crappy Christmas shows! On Sunday, December 20, Movies on a Big Screen will "present" the 1964 anti-classic, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, also known by the far more thrilling title, Santa Defeats the Aliens.  Briefly, this "fun-filled romp" involves

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 1950s Lionel train advertisement shows a father, mother, little girl and boy peering into a window display featuring a model train going through a city, over a bridge and into the mountains. The father appears to be the most interested -- head cocked, hand on his chin, ready to help his child build the toy train set. An adjacent Lionel Train advertisement shows a father sitting on the ground assembling a train set, while his son sits in the background frowning. California State Railroad Museum's "Some Assembly Required" exhibit, which opened today, featured a somewhat similar scene. Many families were in the museum, but the historical toy exhibit seemed to strike the strongest chord wi

Holidaze got you down? Looking for something outside your regular routine? Your Local Union of St. Nick wants you to bring holiday cheer to your fair city! About this time every year legions of Santa Claus visit cities around the globe bringing their own variety of holiday weirdness; Sacramento is no exception. Armed with holiday cheer, candy canes for the children, and demented gifts for the jaded, tens and hundreds of Santas have their last hurrah before returning north to complete the daunting task of preparing to deliver hand crafted toys to girls and boys throughout the world. As populations grow and the polar ice sheet melts, this time of year can be very distressing for the jolly o