Winter break is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time to explore all the winter wonderment that Sacramento has to offer.

If you find yourself yearning for a bit of real winter, but are unable to head up to the snowy mountains, check out the Downtown Holiday Ice Rink at St. Rose of Lima Park, located at 7th and K Streets, just outside of Downtown Plaza. The rink is located outdoors, which makes the fake winter wonderland all the more fun. Skating is $6, including skate rental.

Call (916) 442-8575 for skate times.

For those who are able to accept that Sacramento just isn’t a snowy village, you might be more apt to check out Old Sacramento and Downtown Plaza for a Christmas shopping adventure. Downtown Plaza is heaven for the upscale shopper with stores including Guess? and Jessica Mc Clintock, while Old Sacramento features unique gift shops and Sacramento souvenirs.

If you have children, or if you’re still a child at heart, climb aboard the Yuletide Flyer, Old Sacramento’s holiday locomotive, for a visit with Santa Claus. The California State Railroad museum is running the trains from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 16 and 17. Trains will depart from the Central Pacific Freight Depot every hour. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for youths and under five is free.

Yuletide Flyer ticket holders can also visit the “Toy Train Holiday” exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento the same day for free.

And as long as you are in the holiday spirit, check out Holiday of Lights, an extensive drive-through Christmas light show at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. The 1.5-mile light display will feature 1.5 million lights, 555 displays and 17 theme areas.

Holiday of Lights will run through Jan. 1, from 5: 30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturdays at $10 a car.