Free community event features hundreds of volunteers and nightly performances
One of the area’s most recognizable holiday traditions will return next week as the 2025 Live Nativity opens for a three-night run, offering visitors an immersive outdoor reenactment of the biblical Christmas story. Produced by the Folsom Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event brings together more than 300 volunteers at 2110 California Circle across from the Folsom Auto Mall. This year’s presentation will take place Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12, 13 and 14, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing every 15 minutes until the final showing at 8 p.m.
The Live Nativity temporarily transforms the site into a Bethlehem setting, with costumed actors portraying Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Roman soldiers and the wisemen. Scenes unfold under recorded New Testament narration accompanied by music and an angel choir. Organizers prepare staging, narration, sound, lighting and costumes over several months, resulting in an annual presentation that draws visitors from Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rancho Cordova and neighboring communities. Admission remains free, and reservations are encouraged to help manage wait times.
Volunteers support the production in a variety of ways, including set construction, traffic coordination and greeting guests at the arrival area. For many of those involved, participation has become a tradition that extends beyond the performance weekend, with preparations beginning well ahead of December.
Photos by Mark Spicer
One of the memorable elements for families, according to organizers, is the use of real newborns to portray Baby Jesus. The quiet movements or sounds from the infant often draw attention from younger visitors and help reinforce the sense of realism built into the presentation. Organizers say this detail has remained part of the event for years because of its impact on attendees.
The Live Nativity is structured as a continuous series of scenes viewed from a designated audience area. Guests watch as the story progresses from the annunciation to the manger scene, with volunteers guiding portions of the flow to maintain steady pacing. Because the event is entirely outdoors, families are encouraged to dress for cool evening temperatures and plan additional time for parking.
Organizers note that the Live Nativity is intended to be accessible to all backgrounds and faiths, with the aim of providing a community-centered retelling of the Christmas story. Many visitors return annually, and event leaders say they strive to maintain consistency in the format while improving logistics and guest experience each year.
The 2025 event is expected to draw significant attendance throughout the weekend. Additional information and reservations are available at www.livenativity.org.
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