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Christmas with kids in Vacaville
In Vacaville, Santa comes to you. Every December he rolls through neighborhood parks on a parade of decorated vehicles, and downtown has lit its tree on Main Street at Merriment on Main since 1983.
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The story of Christmas in Vacaville
How Vacaville celebrates
Vacaville's signature holiday party is Merriment on Main, a downtown tree lighting and street celebration that began in 1983. Thousands of people gather along Main Street each year to watch the tree light up, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to cheers from the crowd. Away from downtown, the city has built newer traditions too. Neighborhood Santa sends Santa through 15 neighborhood parks on decorated vehicles, and two residential streets, Arlene Drive and Shady Glen Avenue, turn into the glowing Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane every December.
Christmas last year in Vacaville
In 2025, Merriment on Main took place on Tuesday, December 2, from 5 to 8 pm, with the tree lighting at 6:30 pm. The year before, about 15,000 people came, and Mayor John Carli lit the tree by pulling a lever alongside his twin brother, James. The 5th annual Neighborhood Santa ran on December 15, 17 and 19, from 6 to 8:15 pm, with Santa visiting 15 parks. Families scanned a QR code to vote for their favorite decorated vehicle, and the whole parade was free.
Fun facts about Christmas in Vacaville
Candy Cane Lane helped put Vacaville on a list of California's most festive holiday towns. The display usually starts around December 1, and visitors can walk or drive through to see the lights. The neighborhood also collects canned food for local food banks. If a parade does not fit your evening, there is a pancake Breakfast with Santa at Ulatis Community Center, and a holiday display of vintage aircraft with Santa photos at the Rowland Freedom Center by the county airport.
Trains and Christmas near Vacaville
Vacaville does not have a railroad museum of its own, but Solano County is home to one. The Western Railway Museum in Suisun City is open weekends year round and has electric interurban cars and streetcars from San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento. Farther east, the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has 21 restored locomotives and cars. In West Sacramento, the River Fox Train rolls through Yolo farmland and runs a Magical Christmas Train in season.
- Western Railway Museum: The closest rail museum to Vacaville, with 50-minute interurban rides and vintage streetcars on weekends year round.
- California State Railroad Museum: A big museum in Old Sacramento with 21 restored locomotives and cars for kids to see up close.
- River Fox Train: A family train ride through Yolo farmland that offers a Magical Christmas Train.
Traditions today
- Merriment on Main: A downtown Vacaville tree lighting and street celebration that began in 1983, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving to cheers.
- Neighborhood Santa: Santa visits 15 neighborhood parks over three December evenings, riding in decorated vehicles that families can vote on.
- Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane: Arlene Drive and Shady Glen Avenue glow with home light displays each December, with a canned food drive for local food banks.
- Breakfast with Santa: An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Ulatis Community Center, with winter crafts, a visit with Santa and a photo opportunity.
- Holiday display of vintage aircraft: The Rowland Freedom Center near the county airport holds a holiday display of vintage planes with Santa photos, hot chocolate and live music.
- Holiday lights tour: City Coach offers a free Holiday Lights Tour on select dates, so families can see the lights without hunting for parking.
A fact for kids
In Vacaville, Santa visits 15 parks in just three nights. Kids can even vote for their favorite decorated Neighborhood Santa vehicle by scanning a code.
Questions about Christmas in Vacaville
When did Merriment on Main start in Vacaville?
Merriment on Main started in 1983, so by 2026 it will have been part of Vacaville Christmas for more than 40 years. The Daily Republic called it a legacy that continues to build. It centers on a tree lighting along Main Street in downtown Vacaville.
What is Merriment on Main?
Merriment on Main is Vacaville's signature Christmas celebration, a downtown evening with a tree lighting, performers and crowd entertainers along Main Street. In 2025 it ran from 5 to 8 pm on December 2, with the tree lighting at 6:30 pm. The city says thousands of people gather for it.
How many people go to Merriment on Main?
Around 15,000 people were estimated at the 2024 Merriment on Main, according to the Daily Republic. The city describes the event as drawing thousands of guests each year. The city does not give an exact count, so treat the 2024 figure as an estimate. If you go, plan extra time to walk and find a spot along Main Street.
Who lights the Christmas tree in downtown Vacaville?
In 2024, Mayor John Carli lit the tree by pulling a lever with his twin brother, James, while the crowd cheered. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus also arrived at the event to cheers from the crowd, and the tree lighting was at 6:30 pm in 2025.
What is Neighborhood Santa in Vacaville?
Neighborhood Santa is a free holiday parade run by Vacaville Parks and Recreation in which Santa visits neighborhood parks on decorated vehicles. The 5th annual edition in 2025 stopped at 15 parks over three evenings. A Santa Tracker on the city website shows where he is along the route.
When did Neighborhood Santa begin?
Neighborhood Santa began about five years before 2025, since the city called the 2025 parade its 5th annual one. That points to a first parade around 2021. Check the city's Neighborhood Santa page for the current year's parks and times. By 2025 it covered 15 neighborhood parks over three evenings.
What happens if it rains during Neighborhood Santa?
Rain may cancel routes, and canceled routes are not rescheduled. The parks department announces cancellations on its Facebook and Instagram pages and online by 3 pm on the day of each parade. Families should check those channels before heading out, and bring a jacket since December evenings can be chilly.
What is Candy Cane Lane in Vacaville?
Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane are two residential streets, Arlene Drive and Shady Glen Avenue, where homes put up elaborate light displays every December. Visitors can walk or drive through after dark. The neighborhood also runs a canned food drive for local food banks, which gives kids a chance to give back.
When does Candy Cane Lane light up?
The Candy Cane Lane display typically begins around December 1, though dates can vary slightly from year to year. It is best seen after dark, and Visit Vacaville suggests leaving before 10 pm because the area is residential. Earlier evenings may work best with little ones.
How should families act at Candy Cane Lane?
Stay off private lawns and driveways, drive slowly, keep pets leashed and take your litter with you. Parking is on Fruitvale Road, and a short trail leads to Arlene Drive that is not well lit, so bring a flashlight. These simple rules keep the neighbors happy and the tradition going.
Is Vacaville one of California's festive holiday towns?
Yes, Visit Vacaville says the Candy Cane Lane display helped the city earn a place among California's Most Festive Holiday Towns. The downtown tree lighting at Merriment on Main and Santa's park visits are also part of Vacaville's Christmas, so there is more to see than lights alone.
Can I see the Christmas lights without driving myself?
Yes, City Coach offers a free Holiday Lights Tour on select dates, with pickups at two locations. It is a relaxed way to see Vacaville's decorated streets, including the Candy Cane Lane area, without worrying about parking. Dates change from year to year, so check with City Coach for the current schedule.
Is there a Breakfast with Santa in Vacaville?
Yes, a Breakfast with Santa has been held at Ulatis Community Center, 1000 Ulatis Drive. It is an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast where children visit Santa, make winter crafts and take photos. Pre-registration was required in the past and kids under 2 ate free. See our Vacaville Christmas events guide on this page for the current year.
What is the holiday event at the Rowland Freedom Center?
The Rowland Freedom Center, at the county airport, holds an annual holiday event with a display of vintage aircraft in its museum. Families can take photos with Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and cider, and hear a live concert. Kids 12 and under were admitted free in the past. Check the listing for current prices.
Where can kids see Santa in Vacaville?
Kids can meet Santa at a few traditional spots: Merriment on Main downtown, the Neighborhood Santa parade at city parks, Breakfast with Santa at Ulatis Community Center and photos at the Rowland Freedom Center holiday event. Dates change each year, so see our Vacaville Christmas events guide on this page for what is planned.
How can I explain Neighborhood Santa to a toddler?
Tell your toddler that Santa is visiting their very own park before Christmas. The parade stops at 15 parks over three evenings, so check the schedule to see which park is nearest to you. Let them pick a favorite decorated vehicle, since families vote for the best one by scanning a QR code.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Vacaville?
Yes, the city's tree lighting is part of Merriment on Main, held on Main Street in downtown Vacaville since 1983. In 2025 the tree lit at 6:30 pm on December 2. Because the night is crowded with thousands of guests, arrive early and plan a meeting spot. Our Vacaville Christmas events guide on this page lists current details.
Is there a train museum near Vacaville?
Yes, the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City is the closest one. It is an electric railway museum on Highway 12, open weekends year round, with 50-minute interurban rides, streetcars from San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento, and big shaded picnic areas. It is a good pick for train-loving kids any time of year.
Where can kids see big trains near Vacaville?
The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has 21 restored locomotives and cars, a Sierra construction scene and a dining car set with railroad china. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and visitors are advised to arrive early for parking. It is a day trip east of Vacaville.
Is there a Christmas train near Vacaville?
In West Sacramento, the River Fox Train runs round trips over 10 miles of a 1911 line through Yolo farmland, and its offerings include a Magical Christmas Train. Tickets are booked online. For the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, check its own calendar for holiday plans, since schedules change each year.
Sources
- Merriment on Main: a legacy that continues to build, Daily Republic
- Merriment on Main, City of Vacaville
- 5th Annual Neighborhood Santa, City of Vacaville
- Candy Cane Lane, Visit Vacaville
- Breakfast With Santa, Visit Vacaville
- Holiday event at the Rowland Freedom Center, Visit Vacaville
- Western Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- California State Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- River Fox Train, Rally Takes the Train