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 January 31
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.
One Enchanted Evening & Horse Drawn Carriage Rides - November 21
Location: Old Town Clovis
See the holiday season come to life in Old Town Clovis for One Enchanted Evening! All the local shops, boutiques and antique stores decorate and set their holiday merchandise out so you can get started on your holiday shopping! Enjoy hot chocolate, holiday music and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Town Clovis.
Fresno Philharmonic Home for the Holidays Concert – December 6
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.
See All the Holiday Lights
Location: Various locations
No place does Christmas lights like Fresno County. Put on your favorite holiday sweater and admire the shiny lights in our local neighborhoods and attractions, including IllumiNature at the Chaffee Zoo and Christmas Tree Lane. We put together a full list of where you can find lights here.
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.
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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