The holiday season is here! What better way to get into the spirit than taking part in some of Fresno County's beloved events. Experience celebrations rooted by tradition and enjoy some of the new holiday spectaculars. Check out this list of events across Fresno County:
IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo - Various Dates
Location: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Time: Times and dates vary. Click here for full calendar.
About the event: Experience this brand new event by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo! IllumiNature will feature magnificent animal light displays of all shapes and sizes across the zoo with nature, Christmas and Lunar New Year themes. You and your loved ones can enjoy the lights, holiday food and drinks, live entertainment and photos with Santa. Purchase tickets here.
Julgransfest in Downtown Kingsburg - November 25
Location: Downtown Kingsburg
Time: 6 pm
About the event: Take part in this Swedish Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! Downtown Kingsburg, also known as the Kingsburg Swedish Village, will be decked out with holiday lights. You can sing Christmas carols while walking down Draper Street to the town Christmas tree. Once the tree is lit, stay and enjoy Swedish ring folk dancing.
Christmas at Kearney Mansion: Timeless Toys - November 25 through December 31
Location: Kearney Mansion, 7160 W. Kearney Boulevard, Fresno, CA 93706
Time: Various times based on tour type. Click here for tour information.
About the event: Celebrate the holiday season at Kearney Mansion during the Fresno County Historical Society's annual Christmas display. The seasonal magic returns to the mansion in 2022 with displays of toys from throughout the years, and of course, plenty of Christmas trees! Public tours are available Friday through Sunday and private tours are available Monday through Thursday. Purchase tickets here.
Old Town Clovis Holiday Carriage Rides - Various Dates starting November 26
Location: Old Town Clovis
Time: Time and dates vary. Click here for full calendar.
About the event: Ride through Old Town Clovis in a horse drawn carriage! The businesses in Old Town Clovis know how to get into the festive spirit. Grab some hot chocolate from one of the many local coffee shops downtown and enjoy the view of holiday lights and displays in the shops. The carriage rides are free!
Christmas Tree Lane - December 1 through December 25
Location: 3204 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704
Time: Sunday - Monday: 6 pm to 10 pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 6 pm to 11 pm
About the event: Christmas Tree Lane has been a holiday tradition in Fresno for 100 years. What started as one tree lighting in honor of a young boy in the city's Fig Garden neighborhood has turned into Fresno's most anticipated holiday lights display. Drive through the neighborhood to see homes decorated to the nines with holiday decorations. The lane is free to enter but donations are accepted. Click here to learn more about Christmas Tree Lane's history.
Reedley Christmas in the Park & Electric Farm Parade - December 1 & December 2
Location: Pioneer Park, Reedley, CA 93654
Time: December 1, 5 pm to 8 pm; December 2, 4 pm to 9 pm
About the event: Join the community of Reedley for their annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday parade. Enjoy food and retail booths, pony rides, photos with Santa and more! Click here for more information.
Clovis Children's Electric Christmas Parade - December 3
Location: Old Town Clovis
Time: 6:30 pm
About the event: Join in on the holiday cheer during the Children's Electric Christmas Parade in Old Town Clovis. Floats featuring organizations and groups from all over Clovis will spread the holiday spirit during the annual parade. Click here for more information.
CANCELED: 93rd Annual Fresno Christmas Parade - December 3
Location: Downtown Fresno
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Downtown Christmas Parade has been canceled due to weather concerns. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 9 from 5 pm to 7 pm in Mariposa Plaza.
Martinis & Mistletoe - December 3
Location: Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N First St, Fresno, CA 93703
Time: 7 pm to 10 pm
About the event: Enjoy a night of holiday fun, art and drinks at the Fresno Art Museum during their Martinis & Mistletoe event. The celebration will include drinks, hors d'oeuvres, a trunk show with local designers Ashley and Brittany Castaños of Daughters of Simone and music by jazz guitarist Mike Dana. Purchase tickets here.
Holi-Drones: A Christmas Lights Drone Show - December 6 through December 8
Location: Clovis Rodeo Grounds, 748 Rodeo Dr,, Clovis, CA 93612
Time: 6 pm to 8:30 pm
About the event: Get ready for a holiday drone show spectacular at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds! Holi-Drones: A Christmas Lights Drone Show presented by Skye Dreams and Fresno Street Eats is flying in this holiday season with a Christmas display featuring more than 100 flying drones. There will also be food trucks, vendors, live music, pictures with Santa and more! Purchase tickets here.
Tower District Santa Pub Crawl - December 10
Location: Tower District
Time: 4 pm to 9 pm
About the event: Craft beer and cocktail lovers can ring in the holiday season by trekking along the Tower District Santa Pub Crawl. Dress up as Santa Claus and try out hops and mixed drinks from breweries and bars located in the historical Tower District, one of Fresno's top entertainment neighborhoods. Purchase tickets here.
Jingle Bell Run 2022 - December 10
Location: 4946 N. Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704
Time: 9 am
About the event: Calling all runners, joggers and walkers! The Jingle Bell Run is back for the 2022 season. The course runs through Christmas Tree Lane and benefits Toys for Tots. Click here to register.
97th Annual Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree - December 11
Location: Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park
Time: 2:30 pm to 5 pm
About the event: Take part in this holiday ceremony that's been around for almost 100 years. Each year, the Fresno County community lays a wreath at the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park, which was designated as the nation’s Christmas tree in 1926 by President Calvin Coolidge. Click here for more information.
Fresno Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration - December 29 through January 1
Location: 1121 S Chance Ave, Fresno, CA 93702
Time: TBD. Check Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration, Inc. website for latest information
About the event: Enjoy this three-day cultural celebration which marks the end of another year of hard work and a time for giving thanks. The Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration will be held at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Click here for tickets and event information.