Spring has arrived and summer is right around the corner. We’re entering the season of beautiful weather, flip flops, and sun dresses, so now’s the time to get outside and explore all that Downtown has to offer. If you’re looking for ways to fill up your days and evenings with summer fun, we’ve made this bucket list of things to do, just for you! Whether you’re a Sacramento native or visiting relatives for a vacay, we’ve got your summer guide to Downtown.
Free Fun
Of course, the best things in life are free and some of Downtown’s biggest events are free to the public. Get lost in the excitement, mingle with the locals, and discover what it’s like to play downtown.
Concerts in the Park – Every Friday Night
This local music festival launches May 3 in Cesar Chavez Plaza and continues every Friday night from 5 pm to 9 pm through July 26. The Concerts in the Park Series attracts more than 5,500 fans every Friday night during the 3 month concert series. This year the music festival will showcase the talent of 43 local bands and 12 DJs.
Downtown Farmers’ Markets
Weekday Downtown Farmers’ Markets are open from 10 am to 2 pm to offer shoppers farm fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, herbs, and cheeses. The markets offer patrons a chance to come face to face with their food source. The Farmers’ Markets are a wonderful break from the ordinary grocery store. They offer the freshest California grown seasonal favorites from asparagus in the spring to apples in the fall.
Second Saturday Art Walk
On the 2nd Saturday of every month, galleries, salons, boutiques, and restaurants open up to the public and host an open house evening of local art and design starting at 4 pm and continuing until 9 pm or later. Enjoy the art exhibits, food and wine, music, and special events throughout the streets of downtown.
We Heart Art
Downtown has a strong tradition of supporting the arts and with every summer brings a new season of musical theatre, live performances, and modern art. From Peter Pan to contemporary California art by Robert Arneson, Downtown is your local cultural center for the arts.
Crocker Art Museum’s Art Mix
This creative social mixer happens each month. Every second Thursday just a quick hop, skip, and a jump from Old Sacramento, the Crocker Art Museum is open late every second Thursday to present the program series Art Mix. From film, to music, conversations, and cocktails, each second Thursday evening offers an engaging encounter with art, ideas, and people. You can always stop by Crocker during the day to tour the museum and its current exhibits too!
Music Circus
The season is coming and The Wizard of Oz will kick it off in June. Music Circus will showcase five musicals from June to August including Showboat, Sugar, The King and I, and Chicago. Each of these enticing musicals will play at The Wells Fargo Pavilion.
Broadway Sacramento
Established in 1989 by the non-profit California Musical Theatre, who produces the Music Circus, Broadway Sacramento is the region’s largest live performing arts event with over 200,000 tickets sold annually. Presenting national Broadway tours at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, Broadway Sacramento draws theatre-lovers near and far with their top of the line performances.
Downtown is a great walking district and what better way to learn about the past, present and future than with one of these unique walking tours through town. These specialized tours introduce visitors and residents to people, places and events that shaped California history.
Old Sacramento Speakeasy Tour | Rich History & Dirty Little Secrets
Learn about Sacramento’s sinful history by reserving your spot on the Speakeasy Tour, where visitors and locals learn about the dirty past of Sacramento’s prohibition era. Enjoy prohibition-era themed cocktails and learn fascinating tidbits about the people and events that shaped the City’s early history as one of the ‘wettest cities in the union’ during this pivotal era in American history. The Speakeasy tour is scheduled for every 3rd Saturday of the month. You can buy your tickets in advance online through the DSP.
Tales of the Central City | An overview of early Sacramento history
Starting in Caesar Chavez Memorial Park, and ending at Downtown Sacramento’s last original house, you’ll learn about Sacramento’s Downtown, from our earliest residents, to present day.
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow | K Street commerce, growth and redevelopment
Starting in Old Sacramento and ending at our Tower Bridge, learn about Sacramento’s rich history of development.
Art is All Around Us | A tour of Sacramento’s collection of art in public places
Starting At 4th and K Street, this walking tour will showcase Sacramento’s beautiful public art while our tour guides explains the who, how, and why behind the art.
Rock & Roll History Tour & Pub Crawl | Locally grown, internationally known
