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 in tradition and enjoy some of the new holiday spectaculars. Don't miss out on your chance to see the Grinch and Santa! Check out this list of events across Fresno County:
Downtown Selma Holiday Open House - November 17-18
Location: Downtown Selma
Time: Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm
About the event: See Downtown Selma kick off the holiday season and support local businesses. Several shops will have treats available for shoppers, and there will be visits from Santa and the Grinch! Find a full list of participating businesses here.
IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo - Various Dates from November 24 through February 10
Location: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Time: Times and dates vary. Click here for full calendar.
About the event: IllumiNature is back for a second year to bring a wild, dazzling flare to the holiday season. It 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 24
Location: Downtown Kingsburg, CA 93631
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: Holiday Tales - November 24 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 2023 with decorated trees each representing a different beloved Christmas Story designed by local decorators. Guided tours will be offered to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Purchase tickets here.
One Enchanted Evening - November 16
Location: Old Town Clovis
Time: 5 pm - 8 pm
About the event: One Enchanted Evening is one of Old Town’s most anticipated events! Thousands of people come down to experience the old-fashioned holiday open house. Enjoy carolers, hot chocolate, and Old Town shops dressed up to greet visitors. Horse-drawn carriage rides add to the magic of the night making it a fun event for the entire family!
Sanger's 40th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - November 29
Location: Downtown Sanger, 1430 7th St #1400, Sanger, CA 93657
Time: 5:30 pm
About the event: Start the holiday season in the Nation's Christmas Tree City! Sanger city officials lead the official Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree each year. But if you're not able to make that trek, you can still see the Christmas season light up with the lighting of a sapling from the General Grant Tree (aka the Nation's Christmas Tree) in Brehler Square.
Christmas Tree Lane - December 2 through December 25
Location: 3204 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704
Time: Sunday through Thursday 6 PM to 10 PM. Friday and Saturday will be 6 PM to 11 PM
About the event: Christmas Tree Lane has been a holiday tradition in Fresno for more than 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
Location: Pioneer Park, Reedley, CA 93654
Time: 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 2
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.
94th Annual Fresno Christmas Parade - December 2
Location: Downtown Fresno
Time: 11 am - 1 pm
About the event: See Downtown Fresno turn into a Winter Wonderland! Fresno's annual Christmas Parade will showcase the city's holiday cheer down Fulton Street. After the parade, there will be vendor booths, photos with Santa and more! Get more details here.
World Ballet Series: The Nutcracker - December 1-2
Location: William Saroyan Theatre, 730 M St, Fresno, CA 93721
Time: 7 pm
About the event: The holidays begin with The Nutcracker! The most favorite Christmas classic of all is coming to the William Saroyan Theatre in Downtown Fresno. Buy tickets here.
Santa Lucia Day in Kingsburg - December 2
Location: Downtown Kingsburg, CA 93631
Time: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
About the event: Take part in this Swedish holiday tradition right in Fresno County. Santa Lucia Day marks the celebration of light during dark, cold winters. In Kingsburg, the festivities go from morning to night with a pageant, arts and crafts, baked goods and more. The Festival of Lights Parade will take place on Draper Street in Downtown Kingsburg starting at 5:30 pm.
Jingle Bell Run 2023 - December 9
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 2023 season. The course runs through Christmas Tree Lane and benefits Toys for Tots. Click here to register.
98th Annual Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree - December 10
Location: Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park
Time: 9 am - 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. (Tickets are limited plan to book in advance) Click here for tickets.
An Irish Christmas - December 13
Location: Tower Theatre, 815 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Time: 7:30 pm
About the event: Experience the joy of an Irish Christmas!! The showcase will feature a high-energy display of Irish dancing as well as holiday carols inside Fresno's iconic Tower Theatre. Purchase tickets here.
Live Nativity - December 15-18
Location: 6290 N Valentine Ave, Fresno, CA 93711
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
About the event: Experience the magic of the holiday season with a guided walkthrough of an enchanting Live Nativity.
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl in Clovis - December 16
Location: Tower District
Time: 4 pm to 9 pm
About the event: Pull out those ugly/funny Christmas sweaters and go on a pub crawl to the bars and breweries in Fresno's Tower District. There will be plenty of games and prizes for participants. Purchase tickets here.
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