Tough calls for Fresno holiday events whether to proceed amid the coronavirus pandemic
UPDATE: As of Tuesday (Dec. 8), organizers decided to cancel the Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade completely and will no longer have a drive-through experience due to concerns of community health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
ORIGINAL STORY: Much like many just-observed Halloween celebrations, some long-held Christmas traditions are being reshaped by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
That includes downtown Fresno’s annual Christmas Parade, which draws thousands of spectators every December and has been running for going on 91 years and now is being reinvented as a parade in reverse.
Think of it as a Christmas-themed cruise night, with parade participants decorating parking stalls along downtown’s Fulton Street. Spectators then will move through the “parade” from the safety of their cars.
No pedestrians will be allowed.
“Downtown Fresno Partnership has decided to move forward with doing a safe and fun alternative to the Christmas Parade in order to provide a positive holiday experience for our community,” partnership CEO Jimmy Cerracchio said in a news release.
“Having the reverse parade allows families to still enjoy this holiday tradition, especially in a year when we all need something to really celebrate.”
Using the “Night at the Drive-In” themes, parade participants will recreate their favorite holiday films with props, backdrops and costumes. The “parade” happens 5-8 p.m. Dec. 12 on Fulton Street, from Tulare to Tuolumne streets. Those wishing to participate in the parade can apply at www.downtownfresno.org.
More Fresno holiday lights and music
▪ From the mind’s behind Fresno Street Eats comes the Fresno/Clovis DIY Christmas Lights Tour.
The group has created a Christmas resource map with houses in Fresno/Clovis that have lights synced to music, plus the two major *free* light attractions in town: Christmas Tree Lane and Candy Cane Lane.
The idea is to facilitate an event that is free for everyone, COVID safe and available for you to do at one’s leisure.
The map (and news on other holiday related events) can be found by following @fresnostreeteats and/or @FresnoXmasLights on Instagram.
▪ The Big Fresno Fair has created its own drive-thru holiday spectacular.
The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Show features more than 450 light displays set up around the fairgrounds, along with Christmas music, an area to purchase food and drinks (hot cocoa of course) and a visit from Santa each weekend.
“We are extremely excited to bring this holiday event to the Fairgrounds for the community to enjoy,” said Lauri King, The Big Fresno Fair Deputy Manager II.
“With COVID-19 impacting this year’s Hmong New Year Celebration, we shifted to bring this holiday drive-thru to spread some much needed holiday cheer in the safest way possible. These light displays are incredible and will truly transport attendees to a magical winter wonderland.”
The light show runs 5-9 p.m. daily, Dec. 3 through Jan. 3, excluding Christmas day. Gate open at 4 p.m. Advanced tickets are $20 per vehicle Monday to Thursday and $25 Friday to Sunday and available online www.FresnoFair.com/HolidayLights. Tickets are $25 and $30 at the gate.
Those who donate to the Central California Blood Center or mobile drive from Nov. 30 through Jan. 1 will get $5 off weekday tickets.
▪ Fresno Pacific University will present its annual program of scripture and seasonal carol as a virtual online performance.
“A Festival of Lessons and Carols” will be available to view for free Nov. 27 to Dec. 27 with registration at lessonsandcarols2020.eventbrite.com.
The program is s based on a Church of England service first performed in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge University tells the story of the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus in nine lessons. Fresno Pacific’s staging will feature eight of the university’s music ensembles performing a wide range of historic and contemporary music including a newly commissioned choral work by emeritus music professor Walter Saul.
▪ Break the Barriers is also taking to virtual space with a live stream of its annual holiday performance.
“A Nutcracker Like No Other” features professional ballerinas, aerialists and the organization’s International Performing Team showcasing adapted choreography and an inclusive experience for all of its performing artists.
The performance will be streamed at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Tickets for the access code are $25 ($40 with a download the performance) and available online at eventbrite.com
▪ Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane officially opens Dec. 1, though not without changes. Organizers have canceled the lane’s two walk-only nights, which traditionally draw draws tens of thousands of people annually and make it too difficult to maintain social distancing. The lane is open to traffic 6-10 p.m. through Christmas Eve.
▪ Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo is continuing its offering of after-hour events for the 21-and-over crowd with BrewLights.
This is the similar to the zoo’s annual holiday light celebration, only with beer stations and food trucks (curated by Fresno Street Eats). Tickets for the Dec. 17 event are $21 and offered in 12-minute blocks beginning at 6 p.m. All health and safety rules will be in effect including social distancing and mandatory mask zones.
Zoo Lights will still happening, beginning Nov. 27 and running weekends through December. Tickets for the event are $10-$12 ($7-$9 for Zoo members) and available in 15-minute blocks beginning at 5 p.m.
This story was originally published November 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.