Disclosure: Thank you to Imaginarium for hosting our family in exchange for my time and efforts in attending and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Our family was invited to check out Imaginarium which is now open at the Cal Expo State Fair Grounds through January 16th! It is an updated version of Global Winter Wonderland which was here a couple of years ago.  


If you love Christmas lights and family fun, you are going to LOVE it!  There are a ton of light displays to look at, walkthrough, take photos with, some are interactive, be sure to find the button on the huge lighted Christmas tree, pictured below.  

There are costume characters, on, the Thursday evening we attended our boys saw Frosty the Snowman, a real-life-looking dinosaur, and an elf.  Great memory-making opportunities, you can take selfies or group photos. 


We had wristbands which is definitely the way to go if you want to enjoy all the rides.  While you do not have to do the rides, you can walk the light displays and enjoy all the yummy food. You can also buy ride tickets if you have just a few favorite rides you want to do.  Having the ride wristbands was definitely a plus, our boys were able to ride their favorites multiple times. They thought it was the coolest thing to be out late on a school night riding rides.  This would also be great to enjoy during winter break when the kids are off of school.  


It is so nice to be able to enjoy your favorite State Fair foods during the winter months.  They have funnel cakes, pretzels, corn dogs, cotton candy, caramel corn, caramel apples as well as warm hot chocolate, and more! They have Tacos and all kinds of State Fair like food vendors.  

Tickets are a bit pricey, especially if you are a larger family. Weekday Ticket prices are $24, Kids 4-12 years are $19 weekend tickets are $26, Kids 4-12 are $21. Ride wristbands are $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends. If you want to save money, go on a Thursday, ticket prices are lower than on the weekend (Friday-Sunday).  I have not seen Imaginarium yet on Groupon, but you could keep your eye out, I think I remember seeing Global Winter Wonderland appear a couple years ago.  I would also follow them on social media, and watch for deals or special offers.  They did have a cyber Monday deal, so they may have more.  Also know parking at Cal Expo is $12 and cash only!


Totally worth it for a date night experience, walking hand in hand through the stunning lights, listening to your favorite Christmas music. We of course had fun as a whole family, but I would have had just as much fun on a date night with my hubby, or going with a girlfriend.  So that is an option as well.  My kiddos of course LOVED it, they had "snow" aka bubbles.  Two of my boys loved the Zipper ride, which makes me smile because that was my favorite ride when I was younger.  I now empathize with my mother, who I made go on all those rides with me when I was a kid, I loved all roller coasters, now that I am older I can't do some of them.  Although I didn't get on my favorite Zipper I had so much joy out watching our boys' full of smiles and laughs. My favorite ride these days is the pirate ship that smoothly swings.


All the lights were absolutely beautiful, my favorite was the roses.  They had this area of lighted colored roses, that was absolutely gorgeous.  I for one am extremely grateful that events are coming back and people are out having fun and enjoying life.  So if you can go, please support local events and businesses as much as possible.  I know that prices have increased across the board, with each of us spending what we can to support our local businesses and events, it makes a difference, I know every little bit helps.  

About Imaginarium 360:

Imaginarium’s “Light Up the Night” is a family-friendly outdoor event taking place at Cal Expo in Sacramento from November 19th through January 16th (select days Thursday through Sunday). The event is brought to you by the producers of Global Winter Wonderland, which opened in 2011 in Santa Clara as the first-ever Chinese lantern festival to ever be held in the United States. It was held at Cal Expo from 2014 – 2018 to appreciative crowds.

This year’s event is a new concept and is a more immersive experience featuring an incredible array of lighting displays, responding to music and attendees. Guests will love walking through illuminated tunnels and the Field of Dreams aglow with over 30,000 roses arriving at Winter Wonderland. In total there are over three million LED lights, creating a unique and exhilarating event specifically designed for this year’s extended holiday season. There’s the Rhapsody in Blue zone where lights are synchronized with music, creating a festive and fun atmosphere for adults and children alike. 

In addition to this innovative and experiential evening, the event producers note that there will be a food court, Beer Garden, and vendors. And like past events, there will be carnival rides and games to enjoy, along with having pictures taken with costumed characters and Santa (Santa plans to arrive after December 5th).