Events that celebrate community, creativity, and local businesses have long been part of what defines the Handle District.
Over the years, the Handle District has hosted and sponsored a variety of community-driven gatherings that celebrate food, culture, and connection. From Spring in the Handle—a sit-down dinner for 200 in the alley—to farm-to-fork festivals, coffee competitions, and Sacramento favorites like the Amgen Tour of California and the Deschutes Street Pub, each event has reflected the creativity and care that define this tiny district.
The Handle also joined forces with the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Sacramento Fashion Week, and WEAVE for Dress Up, Wine Down, raising thousands for women in need each May.
The Handle’s spirit of celebration continues. Stay connected to be part of what’s next in this lively little corner of Midtown.
Past Events
Bastille Day
Bastille Day filled the Handle District with French flair—complete with the lively Waiters’ Race, local food, cultural performances, and live entertainment. Thousands gathered each July to celebrate community while supporting the Alliance Française de Sacramento and the Sacramento French Film Festival. The event ran from 2011 through 2019 and remains one of the district’s most beloved traditions.
Dress Up, Wine Down
Each May, Dress Up, Wine Down brought fashion, wine, and community together in the Handle District. Partnering with the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Sacramento Fashion Week, and WEAVE, the event raised thousands of dollars to support women escaping violence. It remains a memorable part of the Handle’s legacy of creativity and care.
Back Alley BBQ
Handle’s Back Alley BBQ turned the alley into an intimate outdoor celebration featuring craft beer from Fieldwork, live music by Jessica Malone, and a creative BBQ flight from Foundation Fire. Hosted during Sacramento Beer Week, the event raised funds for St. John’s Program for Real Change. It captured the community spirit that defines the Handle District.