The 15th State of Downtown Breakfast took place last Tuesday morning at the Sacramento Convention Center, with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom as keynote speaker. Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, opened the event and ran through a plethora of topics and issues. Public safety, K Street, the sale of Downtown Plaza and parks are just a few of the many that were highlighted. “Personal connection makes a difference,” Ault said, regarding the 26 new businesses that opened up in the district last year. Ault cited the executive committee’s efforts to get to know brokers, owners and storefronts as the difference. He was optimistic about the strides that have been

As always, Sacramento steps up to the plate with holiday events of all sorts. At Sacramento365.com, we see a lot of events come through the site every day. Though there are myriad options in our Holiday Event section, we've narrowed down the list to 10 to get help you pick your Christmas Eve & Christmas Day festivities. Christmas Eve Events: Sure, the night before Christmas should be spent snuggled in bed waiting for Santa Claus, but why not get out and about during the day. Here are some options to keep you entertained around town: 1. Free Admission at Fairytale Town & Sacramento Zoo: FTT 10am-2pm; Zoo 10am-1:30pm Treat the kiddies to a day out while both Fairytale Town & the Sacramento

The streets of Old Sac were packed New Years Eve night in anticipation of the fireworks show announcing the year 2011. The Theatre of Lights showcased as well as music and fun things for the kids. Here's a glimpse of what was happening: At the conclusion of the Theatre of Lights show on K St. confetti was sprayed onto the crowd. Kids and their parents enjoyed the evening with food and glow lights. RadioDisney.com offered contests for the little ones in the Waterfront Tent on Front St (above and below). A youngster tosses a hula-hoop trying to encircle the gal in white at right. On his first try, the hoop caught me, but that didn't count. Contestants ran across the stage with recyclab

There’s something wonderful happening in Old Sacramento this season.  It may well be the only original seasonal expression to come along in many years, and it’s a delight for the whole family. Yes, the shops are filled with marvelous, unique gifts and the restaurants shine with decorations of every kind.  Traditional Christmas music propels the hum-along crowds from place to place.  But something special happens after dark—it’s the second year that the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights transforms the familiar streets into a wonderland of light, sound, and history. On Thanksgiving Eve, the newly expanded show debuted with the help of Mark S. Allen of Good Day Sacramento, newly elected Distr

Sacramento’s holiday lights will shine a little less brightly this season when Westfield Downtown Plaza goes without a giant Christmas tree for the first time in 30 years. Without a tree, the annual day-after-Thanksgiving tree lighting ceremony at the mall's Seventh and K streets entrance also won't be held. However, the plaza is likely to be the only place in Sacramento with a little snow this winter after artificial snow-making machines are set up in a children's play area. Sacramentans can enjoy two other Christmas tree lightings. Old Sacramento will light up its huge tree at 6 p.m. Wednesday at K and Front streets, followed by a light show and more to set the historic district sparkl

4,000 pounds of evergreen arrived in Old Sacramento early this morning. It stands about 55 ft tall and had to be put in place by crane. It left its home near Mt Shasta a day ago. The near-perfect-shaped Christmas tree is now in place at K and Front St. Old Sac's Christmas tree is lowered to the ground above it's new home for the holidays. Ron Shoffitt, left, of Maxim Crane Works and Joe Roberson of Carlton Christmas Trees, remove the flag and lights from the tip of the tree sticking from the rear of the truck that hauled it to Old Sac. Up, up and away it goes. Some lower limbs are buzzed off before lowering the massive evergreen into its base. The holidays are rapidly approaching. T

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

New this year, event-goers will be introduced to the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights. The Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights will run two 10-minute light shows throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. November 25 - January 3 6:30 and 8:00pm shows Front and K Street, meet at the tree!     Mayor Kevin Johnson kicked off the Tree Lighting and the inaugural Theatre of Lights tonight.   Everyone gathered around the big Christmas tree at K and Front Street.   Lights and sound! And, yes, it's Santa Claus. Tour a railroad car Take a ride on the steam engine train from Old Sac       For more information, call (916) 442-8575.   SacP

Tomorrow, November 25, the Sacramento's Tree Lighting festivities in Old Sacramento begins at 6:00 p.m. •The festivities include live performances, a visit from Father Christmas and much more. Visitors can join the fun and watch as Mayor Kevin Johnson flips the switch to light the tree at 6:30 p.m. • New this year, event-goers will be introduced to the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights. At 6:30 p.m., a symphony of lights, sounds and visual effects will take the audience back to a time when the beloved poem The Night Before Christmas was first introduced in Sacramento in 1857. • The Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights will run two 10-minute light shows throughout the holiday season T

A night parade is in the works to be revived in Sacramento, more than 115 years after the spectacle lit up city streets to celebrate what was said to be the world's first long-distance electric power transmission. The parade was first held Sept. 9, 1895, during a Grand Electric Carnival that heralded the arrival of electric power in Sacramento. Sacramento's electric carnival parade was so beautiful that Walt Disney Co. later used it as a model for its Electric Light Parade. The Old Sacramento Business Association is working to revive the night parade during winter holiday festivities in 2011. The plan is to recreate the parade to expand the seasonal celebration and to play up the city's