Annual Events

The Elk Grove Historical Society, hosts, supports and/or partners with SEVEN specific events through the year.

2026 Annual Events

Big Day of Giving: May 7, 2026

Step back in time and help bring history to life The Elk Grove Historical Society is participating in the Big Day of Giving on May 7 to support the Rhoads School Living History Program—an unforgettable hands-on experience where local students learn what school was like in the 1890s.

This year’s goal:

$10,000 for student scholarships
$10,000 to celebrate 50 years of the program

Every donation helps students experience history—not just read about it.

Donate online anytime or stop by the museum on May 7th from 10AM–8PM (snacks included!)

Give here: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/elkgrovehistoricalsociety

Small, thoughtful contributions add up quickly and make a real difference:

$10 can help provide classroom supplies for a student’s visit
$25 can support hands-on learning materials used during the program
$50 can help cover the cost of a student scholarship
$100 can help expand access so more local students can participate

Spring Tea: May 9, 2026

Always the Saturday before Mothers Day at the museum You may print the order form and mail it or purchase tickets on-line below.

If ordering on-line, when you see this at the end of your order,

Help keep Zeffy free for Elk Grove Historical Society A California Non Profit Organization (optional)

Your generosity allows Elk Grove Historical Society A California Non Profit Organization to use Zeffy’s 100% free fundraising and emailing platform with unlimited support, making your impact even stronger.

You can scroll down with the arrow to “other” and not pay any additional fees.

Yard Sale: June 25, 26, 27, 28, 2026

The fourth weekend in June at the museum, 4 days from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm – Free admission.

The Elk Grove Historical Society’s beloved annual Yard Sale returns June 25–28, 2026, for four full days of treasure hunting, vintage finds, and community fun at the museum. Held the fourth weekend in June from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM each day, this popular event offers free admission and an incredible selection of antiques, collectibles, household goods, books, décor, and unique treasures generously donated by the community. Whether you’re searching for hidden gems, supporting local history, or simply enjoying a cherished Elk Grove tradition, the Yard Sale is a can’t-miss summer event for shoppers of all ages.

Barn Raising Project Fundraiser – Friday, August 21, 2026

ELK GROVE CITIZEN 2024 – “Elk Grove Historical Society is inviting the community to a modern barn raising. The manual labor will be replaced with good food and music, as the society raises money for a barn to display historical carriages and host events. The Raise the Barn Banquet is held on a Friday every August at District56. Ticket options and sponsorships are offered at various levels to raise funds to build the barn event center. Historical society Past President Jim Entrican said the barn would fill out a plan that the society has been working on for decades, as it develops Heritage Park, its location at the northwest corner of Elk Grove Regional Park. Published in 1982, the plan envisioned the Elk Grove Hotel, a jail, a blacksmith shop and a barn on the site. The first three buildings are already in place, in addition to the historic Foulks house. The barn would evoke a hay barn that once stood on the site of Heritage Park, and it is the only major structure left to build. The 7,500-square-foot barn would be capable of accommodating up to 300 people, Entrican said, giving the society a large indoor space that it can rent out for events such as weddings and use for its own events. In between events, the barn would display carriages, wagons and memorabilia from local collectors. The society has the wood, which will be repurposed from an old bridge on Bruceville Road, but construction will be costly. Four years ago, a construction estimate for a smaller version of the barn came in at more than $700,000 and the price tag of the final design will be higher. Entrican said he hoped to raise the funds over three years, beginning with the banquet in August. The banquet will feature a “wholesome meal” with barbecue and a jazz band. There will also be a live auction and a silent auction. During the society’s monthly free tours of Heritage Park, Entrican told the Citizen that the barn could inspire new interest in Elk Grove’s history. “All the new people that move to this town don’t really have an appreciation of the history of this town; they’re too new,” Entrican said. “But when you build this thing and you have these carriages in there and you start advertising that, I think we’d pull a lot more people.”

To make a DONATION, anytime in any amount, please click here.

Founders Day: September 5, 2026

Usually, the first Saturday of September from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. We also present the Historical Society’s “Historian of the Year” award – FREE event

Black Tie and Santa: Sunday, Black Tie & Santa, November 29th, 2026

Always the last Sunday before the 1st full weekend of December at the museum from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

An Old Fashion Christmas – December 4,5,6 and 11,12,13 and 18,19,20, 2026

(Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Santa is present all hours.

Miscellaneous Activities

We also enjoy speaker presentations, free first Saturday tours, occasional bus trips, dedications, and special events that will vary from year to year. We always need volunteers and appreciate any help anyone cares to give. Just leave a message on the museum phone (916) 685-8155