Trade in those silent nights for lively adventures! Here are the things you don't want to miss if you're spending the holidays here with your family:
IllumiNature at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo – Runs through February 10
Location: 894 West Belmont Avenue, Fresno, California 93728
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Deck the halls with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Their second annual IllumiNature event has fun for all, especially families. Take photos with Santa, see incredible light displays, and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa as you stroll through the zoo. The animals are sleeping at night, but you can visit them during the day! Check out the new Kingdoms of Asia exhibit where you’ll see beautiful tigers, mischievous otters, and an adorable sloth bear. Get tickets here.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Location: Old Town Clovis
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Town Clovis. Hop on the FREE carriage rides every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 17 from 1 pm to 4 pm. While you’re in Old Town, take the family out for a sweet treat at roll me some. Then walk on over to Luna Pizzeria & Italian for a delicious slice of pizza. Don't forget to make your way over to Sierra Vista Mall for a day full of fun!
Fresno Philharmonic Holiday Concert – December 16
Location: William Saroyan Theatre, 730 M St, Fresno, CA 93721
Time: 7:30 pm
Bring the entire family for a festive experience at the Home for the Holidays concert put on by the Fresno Philharmonic. This holiday-inspired show begins with caroling in the lobby, hot chocolate, and pictures by the Christmas tree. Get tickets here.
Gazebo Gardens
Location: 3204 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704
Hours: Thursdays through Saturdays
Make Gazebo Gardens your go-to spot for some family fun! Take home a houseplant or get warm and cozy at the Gazebo Gardens coffee shop. The plant nursery turns into an outdoor venue each weekend with live music and a variety of local food trucks.
Storyland
Location: 890 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA.
Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Listen to classic stories and watch as the fairytales unfold right before your eyes at Storyland. Let your family witness the magic of storytelling through captivating exhibits. This holiday season, Storyland has transformed into a winter wonderland. Join in for live readings of timeless classics like the Three Little Pigs and Humpty Dumpty. The park is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Playland
Location: 890 W. Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Find more fun at Playland in Fresno. This historical theme park has rides and carnival games for the whole family. Challenge your group to a game of mini-golf. The park will have pricing specials for the entire month of December. Playland is open Friday through Sunday. Get more information here.
Wonder Party Center
Location: 1151 G St, Reedley, CA 93654
Get the excitement going at Wonder Party Center, an indoor playground in Reedley! Don’t miss sensory-free photos with Santa (available by appointment only) for a magical holiday experience for all. Get more information, including this month’s hours, here.
National Parks
Did you know Fresno and Clovis are only a 90-minute drive from three national parks? Get outdoors this holiday season to visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. See iconic landmarks like Half Dome in Yosemite and some of the largest trees in the world in Sequoia and Kings Canyon in what is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. As the weather cools, you could also see each park turn into a winter wonderland. Details here.
China Peak
Location: 59265 CA-168, Lakeshore, CA 93634
Grab some snow boots and get ready to hit the slopes at China Peak! Your family can enjoy snowboarding, skiing, and tubing down the snowy slopes. Their hours vary depending on the weather. Get the latest hours here.
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