The holidays have arrived in the Central Valley!
All across the Valley, organisers 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 25EVENT: CHRISTMAS TREE LANETIME: Sunday - Thursday: 6 pm - 11 pm. Friday and Saturday: 6 pm - 11 pmADDRESS: VAN NESS BLVD.INFORMATION: This year, there are no "walk-only nights" because of safety concerns.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3EVENT: SANGER TREE LIGHTINGTIME: 5:30 pmADDRESS: SANGER
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7EVENT: FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO ILLUMINATURETIME: 5 pm - 9 pmADDRESS: FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOOINFORMATION: 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 4EVENT: POSADA Y TAMALIZATIME: 5 pm - 9 pmADDRESS: 1630 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA, United States, California 93721INFORMATION: Join us as we celebrate Las Posadas with Alebrijes y Nahuales on Thursday, December 4, from 5 pm - 9 pm. 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 4EVENT: DECEMBER ARTHOPTIME: 6 pm - 12 amADDRESS: DOWNTOWN FRESNOINFORMATION: Join us for December Arthop on December 4th from 6 pm - 12 am! Local Vendors - Art - Food - Beer
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5EVENT: JINGLE JAMMIE NIGHTTIME: 5 pm - 8 pmADDRESS: THE FOUNDRY COOPERATIVEINFORMATION: Wear your jammies for story, snacks, and letters to Santa.
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5EVENT: Ice Skating Rink at Mariposa Plaza Winter VillageTIME: Times vary by dayADDRESS: DOWNTOWN FRESNOINFORMATION: Enjoy skating under the lights, food vendors, great music, and holiday fun for the whole family all in the heart of Downtown Fresno.
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5EVENT: REEDLEY ELECTRICAL FARM EQUIPMENT PARADETIME: 7 pmADDRESS: DOWNTOWN REEDLEYINFORMATION: 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: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12EVENT: GRINCH NIGHT @ OTCTIME: 5 pm - 8 pmADDRESS: OLD TOWN CLOVISINFORMATION: MAKE N TAKES, GRINCH MEET N GREET, HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE, TREATS, YOUNG ENTERPENUEUR MARKET
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13EVENT: MAKERS MARKET @ OTCTIME: 10 am - 12 pmADDRESS: OLD TOWN CLOVISINFORMATION: COME SUPPORT GUEST VENDORS
DATE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14EVENT: TREK TO THE NATION'S CHRISTMAS TREETIME: 2:30 pmADDRESS: SANGER
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6EVENT: CHOWCHILLA CHRISTMAS PARADE + TREE LIGHTINGTIME: 5:30 pmADDRESS: ROBERTSON + 7TH, CHOWCHILLA CAINFORMATION: Robertson Blvd. Front to 7th Street. Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fun Veterans Memorial Park 6:45 pm
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6EVENT: MERCED DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES + PARADETIME: 1AM - 8 PM + PARADE FROM 2PM-4PMADDRESS: DOWNTOWN MERCEDINFORMATION: 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 13EVENT: 2025 LIGHTS OF HOPE 5K SANTA RUNTIME: 3:30 pmADDRESS: MERCED COLLEGE STADIUMINFORMATION: 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
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5EVENT: VISALIA CHRISTAMAS AT THE PLAZATIME: 11 amADDRESS: DOWNTOWN VISALIAINFORMATION: 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 11EVENT: VISALIA WINTER WINEDERLAND WALKTIME: 5 pm - 8 pmADDRESS: DOWNTOWN VISALIAINFORMATION: Downtown Visalia turns into a Winter Winederland for 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.