When will the Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo reopen? It’s still unclear. Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, is not planning to open on Wednesday despite a Facebook post from organizers, according to a spokesperson representing the event at Cal Expo. Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans that the information was premature. “Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” she said. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.” Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open. (Previous coverage in the video above.)Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to “damaged electrical panels that must be replaced before the event can open.” During the closure, tickets appear to continue being sold online. Organizers have said that ticket holders could email them to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers.Those who purchased tickets for opening weekend would receive an email with instructions on how to redeem replacement tickets for another date, Givens said. KCRA 3 has reached out to Givens with follow-up questions about how Imaginarium has responded to the issues being raised online. Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights. The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather. This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning. Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out. Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011. The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country. The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.Learn more about tickets here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
When will the Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo reopen? It’s still unclear.
Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, is not planning to open on Wednesday despite a Facebook post from organizers, according to a spokesperson representing the event at Cal Expo.
Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans that the information was premature.
“Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” she said. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.”
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Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open.
(Previous coverage in the video above.)
Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to “damaged electrical panels that must be replaced before the event can open.”
During the closure, tickets appear to continue being sold online. Organizers have said that ticket holders could email them to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers.
Those who purchased tickets for opening weekend would receive an email with instructions on how to redeem replacement tickets for another date, Givens said.
KCRA 3 has reached out to Givens with follow-up questions about how Imaginarium has responded to the issues being raised online.
Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights.
The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather.
This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning.
Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.
Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out.
Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011.
The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country.
The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.
Learn more about tickets here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel