Neighborhood home tour in Fresno offers inspiration and holiday cheer | The Fresno Bee

Martin Oftedal is excited to be your host. He’s a spokesman for the Fresno High Neighborhood Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 5 and one of four homeowners who will be opening their vintage homes to the community.

“We’ve spent the past nine years getting it ready for this moment,” Oftedal says of his home.

The 21st annual home tour is both an opportunity to admire beautiful homes and help students. Proceeds from ticket sales support Fresno High School and neighborhood beautification projects around the school.

Plus: There will be live music in homes by Fresno High band students, lots of pretty Christmas decorations, and hot cocoa, apple cider and cookies.

Oftedal describes the architecture of the homes on display as Spanish Tudor and revival, Mediterranean and French. The homes feature a number of antique furnishings and decorative details, such as the brass door knocker shaped like a lion’s head on Oftedal’s front door.

He hopes the tour helps people feel “inspired and ready to celebrate the holidays.”

“The houses really do come to life, especially with Christmas lights and candles,” Oftedal says. “It’s really really beautiful.”