The holidays have arrived in the Central Valley!
All across the Valley, organizers are getting ready to celebrate and bring communities together with events.
From parades to light shows to winter wonderlands, gather your family and friends and visit these events this holiday season:
FRESNO COUNTY
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 25
EVENT: CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
TIME: Sunday – Thursday: 6 pm – 11 pm. Friday and Saturday: 6 pm – 11 pm
ADDRESS: VAN NESS BLVD.
INFORMATION: This year, there are no “walk-only nights” because of safety concerns.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
EVENT: SANGER TREE LIGHTING
TIME: 5:30 pm
ADDRESS: SANGER
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
EVENT: FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO ILLUMINATURE
TIME: 5 pm – 9 pm
ADDRESS: FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO
INFORMATION: IllumiNature returns to Fresno Chaffee Zoo! Experience hundreds of uniquely designed handmade lanterns throughout the Zoo. This seasonal tradition features delicious holiday-inspired treats, drinks, and of course, photos with Santa. This year, you can make your IllumiNature experience even more magical by booking a VIP igloo for you and five guests.
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
EVENT: POSADA Y TAMALIZA
TIME: 5 pm – 9 pm
ADDRESS: 1630 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA, United States, California 93721
INFORMATION: Join us as we celebrate Las Posadas with Alebrijes y Nahuales on Thursday, December 4, from 5 pm – 9pm. Don’t miss out: Fandango Familiar, Tamal Competition, artmaking, mercado navideño, y aguinaldos. It’s going to be a night full of musica, dancing, comida, and beautiful tradiciones! Bring your friends, family, and holiday spirit – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
EVENT: DECEMBER ARTHOP
TIME: 6 pm – 12 am
ADDRESS: DOWNTOWN FRESNO
INFORMATION: Join us for December Arthop on December 4th from 6 pm – 12 am! Local Vendors – Art – Food – Beer
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
EVENT: JINGLE JAMMIE NIGHT
TIME: 5 pm – 8 pm
ADDRESS: THE FOUNDRY COOPERATIVE
INFORMATION: Wear your jammies for story, snacks, and letters to Santa.
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
EVENT: REEDLEY ELECTRICAL FARM EQUIPMENT PARADE
TIME: 7 pm
ADDRESS: DOWNTOWN REEDLEY
INFORMATION: The Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce is now accepting entries for Reedley’s Electrical Farm Equipment Parade presented by the Reedley Lion’s Club happening Friday, December 5 at 7 p.m. in Downtown Reedley! This year’s theme – “A Very Reedley Christmas” – celebrates our hometown holiday spirit with glowing tractors, sparkling trailers, and festive creativity lighting up G Street.
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
EVENT: SANGER TOYLAND PARADE
TIME: 11 am
ADDRESS: SANGER
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
EVENT: GRINCH NIGHT @ OTC
TIME: 5 pm – 8 pm
ADDRESS: OLD TOWN CLOVIS
INFORMATION: MAKE N TAKES, GRINCH MEET N GREET, HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE, TREATS, YOUNG ENTERPENUEUR MARKET
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
EVENT: MAKERS MARKET @ OTC
TIME: 10 am – 12 pm
ADDRESS: OLD TOWN CLOVIS
INFORMATION: COME SUPPORT GUEST VENDORS
DATE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
EVENT: TREK TO THE NATION’S CHRISTMAS TREE
TIME: 2:30 pm
ADDRESS: SANGER
MADERA COUNTY
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
EVENT: CHOWCHILLA CHRISTMAS PARADE + TREE LIGHTING
TIME: 5:30 pm
ADDRESS: ROBERTSON + 7TH, CHOWCHILLA CA
INFORMATION: Robertson Blvd. Front to 7th Street. Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fun Veterans Memorial Park 6:45 pm
MERCED COUNTY
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
EVENT: MERCED DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES + PARADE
TIME: 1AM – 8 PM + PARADE FROM 2PM-4PM
ADDRESS: DOWNTOWN MERCED
INFORMATION: Hosted by the Merced Firefighters Association, this free community block party features live music, local food trucks, a vendor fair, and craft beer from Tioga-Sequoia Brewing, leading into the Merced Christmas Parade. PARADE: Merced’s most anticipated holiday tradition returns with floats, performers, and community groups bringing festive cheer. Presented by Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center by the Central Valley Opportunity Fund, in partnership with the Downtown Merced Partnership, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Merced Main Street Association, and United Way of Merced County.
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
EVENT: 2025 LIGHTS OF HOPE 5K SANTA RUN
TIME: 3:30 pm
ADDRESS: MERCED COLLEGE STADIUM
INFORMATION: Put on your Santa suit (included with registration) and join the Lights of Hope 5K Santa Run for a magical evening through a Christmas-themed course at Merced College Stadium. Participants can enjoy a festive Christmas Village featuring local vendors, holiday décor, music, free hot chocolate, photos with Santa, ornament making, and seasonal treats. This family-friendly event celebrates community and giving, with proceeds supporting the Merced Cancer Society Foundation’s work with local families facing cancer and Merced College for Youth summer programs
TULARE COUNTY
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
EVENT: VISALIA CHRISTAMAS AT THE PLAZA
TIME: 11 am
ADDRESS: DOWNTOWN VISALIA
INFORMATION: Kick off the season with a magical afternoon in Downtown Visalia! Bring the family for free festive fun-stroll our Christmas market, sip cocoa, meet Santa, and make memories in the heart of our city.
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
EVENT: VISALIA WINTER WINEDERLAND WALK
TIME: 5 pm – 8 pm
ADDRESS: DOWNTOWN VISALIA
INFORMATION: Downtown Visalia turns into aWinter Winederlandfor one magical evening! Bundle up, grab your glass, and enjoy wine tasting from some of the best local wineries as you explore charming downtown shops and restaurants decked out for the holidays.