Sustainable Santa Crafting, Drinks & Family Portraits

Sustainable Santa is Atrium 916’s signature zero-waste holiday experience.

AN IMMERSIVE PHOTO & ART EXPERIENCE

Step off the cobblestone streets of Old Sacramento and into a winter wonderland world where magic and meaning intertwine. The scent of mulled wine and cinnamon drifts through the air. Twinkling lights dance off handcrafted ornaments. Laughter echoes from families sculpting clay and children whispering their pledge to help Santa—the guardian of a warming North Pole who now needs our help to keep the Earth in balance.

No reservation is required for ornament clay-making or photo sessions. Walk-ins are welcome, although there might be a line. VIP reservations are available for a scheduled photo session, to avoid wait time. Between 60-100 high-resolution photos, capturing magical moments will be digitally emailed, for a zero-waste experience that you can take anywhere and print on anything.

Organized by the 501c3 nonprofit Atrium 916,
building kind creative solutions for a sustainable future.
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Sculpt Clay Ornament $15
Hot Cider - $6
Hot Coco (with oatmilk) - $6
Pot of Hot Cider $25
Mulled Wine or Spiked Hot Cider - $9
Pot of Mulled Wine or Spiked Hot Cider $36

$40
Saving Santa Photo Experience $135

*Alcohol served Saturday & Sunday

This unique experience is held annually during the holidays in historic Old Sacramento. During this festive season, the Atrium welcomes thousands of visitors.
At the heart of the event is an immersive, cinematic Santa photo experience where children participate in a playful waste-reduction game that teaches environmental stewardship. They are then guided into a winter wonderland set, where they peek into Santa’s Magical Sack of Toys as a professional photographer captures 100–200 cinematic photos—all emailed digitally for a zero-waste keepsake. This provides families with magical holiday portraits at an affordable price.

Set within the Atrium’s cozy art café—featuring rustic tables, a Hallmark holiday movie ambiance, and festive lighting—families can enjoy hot cider, cocoa, and mulled wine while sculpting and painting clay ornaments or creating handmade gifts. The bar serves drinks in returnable, reusable hot-to-go cups while educating guests about microplastics and the non-recyclability of single-use cups. Meanwhile, our on-site gallery shop features over 150 local eco-friendly artists offering sustainably made goods—from home décor and fashion to upcycled electronics and self-care products.
A core element of the experience is the story we share with those who still believe: Santa is no longer just the keeper of gifts—he’s the guardian of the North Pole, and the North Pole keeps the whole planet in balance. But the ice is melting, and he can no longer protect it alone. Santa now needs the help of everyone—no matter where they live—to protect the Earth. Children and adults are asked, “What can you do to help Santa?” Families reflect together and come up with environmental solutions, turning a magical moment into a powerful call to action.

Creative holiday cheer will be served on our patio as you sit, craft and sip on our hot cider or mulled wine. Play the piano, make holiday crafts - paint an ornament or get stunning holiday portraits - Sculpt a clay ornament, - a unique experience that has people return every year.

No reservation is required for ornament clay-making or photo sessions. Walk-ins are welcome, although there might be a line. VIP reservations are available for a scheduled photo session, to avoid wait time and get touch of photoshop magic.

SUSTAINABLE SANTA WORKSHOP & FAMILY PORTRAITS

Dates: November 15th - December 23nd, Wednesday-Sunday

Time: 2:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Atrium - 1020 Front Street, Old Sacramento CA 95814

Walk-ins are welcome.

Activation is organized by Atrium 916, a 501c3 nonprofit building kind creative solutions for a sustainable future.

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