Christmas time is here! These are some of the holly jolly events in the Fresno area that’ll leave you merry and bright.

Check out our expanded list of events at this link.

Related Story: Dan Forrest’s ‘Creation’ Is a Feast for the Ears. Fresno Master ...

IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Nov. 26-Feb. 1

IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo returns for a second year to bring a dazzling spectacle to the holiday season. It features hundreds of uniquely designed handmade lanterns that glow throughout the zoo with nature, Christmas, and Lunar New Year themes. Holiday food, drinks, live entertainment, and photos with Santa are available.

There’s also an adults-only (21+) night, Holiday Spectacular. New this year are igloo rentals, where guests can enjoy a charcuterie board of eateries with a bar. Before you enter the zoo, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the Community Tree with a welcome greeting in 58 different languages representing the diversity in Fresno.

Get your tickets here.

Christmas Tree Lane, Dec. 2-25

Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno is a tradition that has endured for more than 100 years. Each December, North Van Ness Boulevard in Old Fig Garden becomes a one-way street lined with hundreds of trees and homes all decked-out with lights and decorations for the holidays. It began in 1920 with a single tree decorated to honor a child who had passed away and it’s turned into the city’s most anticipated holiday lights display.

Visitors can drive the 2-mile stretch from Shields to Shaw until Christmas Day. You can also walk it on Tuesday night and on Dec. 11. The free event is sponsored by the Fig Garden Homeowners Association, which accepts public donations.

For more information click here.

Kenny G, Dec. 5

Saxophonist Kenny G brings his The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour to the Visalia Fox Theatre on Thursday. He has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide, owns the best-selling instrumental record of all time with 1992’s 12-times-platinum “Breathless,” and has the No. 1 Christmas record of all time with 1994’s 8-times platinum “Miracles.”

He’s a craftsman at the instrument. I saw him perform at the venue last year and his stage presence and crowd interactions while keeping in tune is a sight to behold.

Get your tickets here.

Related Story: ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ a Christian Comedy, Scores With ...

Home for the Holidays, Dec. 6

Fresno’s holiday musical tradition returns to the Saroyan Theatre on Friday. Join music director Rei Hotoda, the Fresno Philharmonic, the Fresno Master Chorale, and special guests for a joyous symphonic celebration of the season. If you come early, you might enjoy lobby caroling, hot chocolate, and pictures by the Christmas tree.

Get your tickets here.

Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade, Dec. 7

Old Town Clovis will glow with lights as the Kiwanis Club presents the Children’s Electric Christmas Parade on Saturday. There’ll be floats featuring organizations and groups from all over Clovis spreading holiday cheer. Be on the lookout for Santa.

For more information click here.

Here Come’s Santa Claus! Dec. 8

Clovis Veterans Memorial District hosts Here Comes Santa Claus! on Sunday. Get your photo taken with St. Nick. The offerings include hot chocolate and cookies, ornament crafting, a bounce house, and face painting. The event is free to the public.

For more information click here.

LeAnn Rimes, Dec. 11

Country superstar LeAnn Rimes brings her Joy: The Holiday Tour to Table Mountain Casino on Dec. 11. It’ll be an acoustic performance. Rimes has sold more than 48 million units globally.

She’s most famous for winning the “Best New Artist” Grammy Award at 14, making her the youngest solo artist to win a Grammy. She became the first country artist to win “Artist of the Year” at the Billboard Music Awards at age 15. Her career defining hit “How Do I Live” holds the record as Billboard’s Hot 100 all-time No. 1 hit by a female artist and ranks No. 6 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time: Hot 100 Songs” list.

She has released two Christmas albums.  Expect to hear her renditions of holiday classic tunes and possibly some originals. Her version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a popular choice on holiday radio every year.

Get your tickets here.

Christmas at Kearney: Holiday Sweets & Winter Treats, Nov. 29-Jan. 5

The seasonal magic returns to Kearney Mansion during the Fresno County Historical Society’s annual “Holiday Sweets & Winter Treats” Christmas display. There’ll be decorated trees  representing a different beloved Christmas story designed by local residents.

Guests will learn the history of treasured family recipes and how they came to be holiday favorites around the world. Guided tours will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Dec. 7 and 8 is a Meet and Greet with Santa, Dec. 12 is Sip & Stitch night with champagne and a tutorial on a holiday-themed embroidery project, and Dec. 14 is the annual Holiday Tea Party.

Get your tickets here.

Related Story: Fresno Team Makes Low-Budget Horror Flicks Look Like Multi-Million-Dollar ...

Ice Rink in Downtown Fresno, Dec. 10-Jan. 12

The Downtown Fresno Ice Rink returns and the grand opening is Dec. 10 on Mariposa at Fulton Street.

In addition to skating, attendees can enjoy food, warm beverages, live music, vendors and more.

There’ll be the Taylor Swift Night on Dec. 13 to celebrate her birthday. Grab your BFFs for Thursdays, Date Night is on Fridays, and catch Fresno Street Eats every Tuesday. More themes will be announced.

For more information click here.

95th Annual Fresno Christmas Parade, Dec. 14

The 95th Annual Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade will sleigh ride through Fulton Street from Inyo to Calaveras on Dec. 14. The theme this year is Under the Tree, showcasing all of the gifts, toys, games, and more that add fun to the season.

After the parade, there will be vendor booths, photos with Santa and more.

For more information click here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Downtown Fresno (@downtownfresno)

Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 20

Candlelight’s Christmas special featuring “The Nutcracker” comes to The Grand 1401 on Dec. 20. These concerts have enchanted Fresno audiences throughout the year with classical renditions of music from contemporary artists like Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and Adele.

They play while surrounded by hundreds — sometimes thousands — of LED candles for a dramatic effect. The Listeso String Quartet will perform holiday classics like “Joy to the World,” and “O Holy Night.”

Get your tickets here.

World Ballet Series: “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 21

World Ballet Series: “The Nutcracker” comes to the Saroyan Theatre on Dec. 21. Follow young Clara on her journey through a winter wonderland filled with dancing snowflakes, magical toys, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The World Ballet Company, which is based in Los Angeles, is led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick. Its motto is, “Changing the way people think about ballet.”

Get your tickets here.