‘Tis the season! Thanksgiving has ended, and winter holiday celebrations have officially begun.

Fresno and other Valley cities are joining in the festivities, hosting new and already beloved events to help get everyone into the spirit.

Here’s a rundown of events you don’t want to miss.

Christmas Tree Lane Walk Nights

Christmas Tree Lane walk-only nights are back! Since 1920, Van Ness residents have been decking their homes with lights and decorations for everyone to enjoy.

The pandemic prevented the street from hosting walk-only nights. Now that they are officially back for two nights, The first was Saturday, Dec. 2, and the next one is Tuesday, Dec. 12. You don’t want to miss the one-of-a-kind light show.

The two-mile stretch of North Van Ness Blvd. between Shields and Shaw avenues will welcome thousands of visitors, wrapped in blankets and armed with hot cocoa, to enjoy the festivities and the several acts it will be hosting, including carolers and the Fresno Swing Dance Group.

Christmas Tree Lane will be open to vehicles all other nights, through Dec. 25, 6 p.m.-10 p.m, Sunday-Thursday, and 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Upcoming Events

Clovis Veterans Memorial District will host its seventh annual Here Comes Santa Claus event on Sunday, Dec. 10. This includes a holiday performance from the AUSA band from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. After the concert, families can enjoy kids’ activities and pictures with Santa from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

An Irish Christmas, showcasing exciting displays of Irish dancing and holiday carols, will be held at the renowned Tower Theatre on Dec. 13. Secure your spot to enjoy this joyous event by purchasing tickets here.

Religious Events

Religious events, focused on the Christmas holiday’s origin, will be open to the public.

A Live Nativity guided walkthrough will be offered Dec. 15-18 at 6290 N. Valentine Ave from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for all who wish to see the enchanting display.

Memorial United Methodist Church will present its own Live Nativity. The annual event will take place Dec. 16 -17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will guide visitors through a 20-minute walk, surrounding scenes and stories leading to the birth of Jesus. Narrations will be offered in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Korean. Performances of familiar Christmas carols, lights, snacks, and friends are to be expected.

The Tower District offers its own spin on the holiday festivities, hosting an Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl on Dec. 16 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Organizers invite all to pull out their ugliest sweaters and visit the bars and breweries of the Tower. The event will host games with the opportunities to win prizes.

Other Events

• IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is offered on various dates through Feb. 10. The highly anticipated event will include dazzling animal light displays across the zoo with nature, Christmas, and Lunar New Year themes. More information is here.
• Christmas at Kearney Mansion is providing guided tours of the historical mansion through Dec. 31. The mansion will have decorated trees representing various Christmas stories, designed by local designers, to bring the holiday spirit to the historical site. More information is here.