Christmas lights, snow and ‘Star Wars’: Your guide to Fresno County’s best holiday decorations
The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to set out in search of Fresno County’s best holiday decorations.
Homes and businesses across Fresno County are decked out for the holidays, with fun, festive displays ranging from “Star Wars” and Disney-themed light shows to 3D projections and flurries of faux snow.
Mike Oz, president of food truck venue Fresno Street Eats, created a D.I.Y. Christmas Lights Tour of Fresno and Clovis for the 2024 holiday season, complete with a map to more than two dozen magical sites. This year, it’s sponsored by Fresno’s River Park shopping center and home builder Lennar.
In addition to driving around with his family looking for amazing holiday lights, Oz said he accepts recommendations for places to check out.
“It’s not just really good Christmas lights” he’s looking for, he said. “It’s really over-the-top type stuff.”
According to Oz, the homes and businesses featured on the map began displaying holiday decorations on Dec. 1 and will take down their displays after Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
During that time period, you can see the decorations from 6 to 10 p.m. each day.
Here are some of the best places to check out holiday lights in Fresno County:
Visit a winter wonderland in Clovis
“Winter wonderland” is the best way to describe this Clovis house, which is decorated for the holidays from top to bottom.
Highlights include a light-up display of Santa Claus in his sleigh with reindeer as well as snowmen, presents underneath a Christmas tree and showers of fake snow.
Although the decorations can be viewed nightly, the snow show only takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
“It’s really cool,” Oz said. “The snow show really sets it over the top.”
- Where: 1950 Bush Ave., Clovis
- Info: Instagram
Let it snow at ‘Frozen’-themed holiday display
This Clovis home features a musical Disney-themed display with dancing lights coordinated with the music. This year it’s all about “Frozen,” the popular animated movie about ice queen Elsa.
You can catch a faux snow flurry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m.
- Where: 3085 Vermont Ave., Clovis
- Info: Instagram
See ‘Blinding Lights’ at colorful Fresno home
Since 2007, Stan and Carrie Zulewski have created an elaborate Christmas light show at their Fresno home.
In addition to candy canes and decorated trees, their holiday decorations include a color-changing light display that’s synced to popular songs.
This year, visitors can listen to The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights” while watching colorful Christmas lights.
- Where: 6047 North Winchester Ave., Fresno
- Info: Facebook
Listen to holiday radio
The Davis family puts on an elaborate holiday light show in Fresno each year, with dancing lights synced up to radio station 98.5 FM.
Decorations include illuminated reindeer, snowman and presents.
“We design and implement our shows as a family, and we want all of our guests and their families to enjoy the gift of light and music that we provide to our community,” the Davis family said on its website.
- Where: 3671 North Laverne Ave., Fresno
- Info: Facebook
Experience Christmas in 3D
You can see animated 3D images of a dancing snowman and a frolicking family of gingerbread cookies projected onto this Madera home.
“I had never seen anything like that before,” Oz said.
- Where: 631 Cascade Way, Madera
- Info: Instagram
Celebrate a ‘Star Wars’ Christmas
“Star Wars” enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to this Fresno home, which features a light show set to John Williams’ iconic score.
You can also see characters from the popular science fiction franchise with a Christmas twist.
There’s a snow show every night at 7 p.m.
- Where: 1812 North Preuss Ave., Clovis
- Info: Facebook
Spot a colorful display off Highway 168
Christmas light aficionados will get a kick out of the lavish displays at this house off Highway 168.
There are daily snow shows at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.,” home owner Donny Friemoth tole The Bee via email.
Holiday decorations include reindeer, bright, colorful lights on trees and a yeti getting into the holiday spirit by putting a star on top of a Christmas tree.
- Where: 4196 Chessa Lane, Clovis
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Where else can you see holiday lights in Fresno area?
Looking for more bold, beautiful holiday displays? Here are other local attractions to check out this season:
IllumiNature
Festive handmade lanterns light up the Fresno Chaffee Zoo during IllumiNature, many of them in the shapes of various animals.
The event also features photos with Santa Claus, holiday-inspired food and drinks and live entertainment on select nights.
Reindeer will be joining zoo for IllumiNature through Jan. 1, according to Emily Valdez, the zoo’s marketing manager.
- Where: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Ave. in Fresno
- When: 5 and 7 p.m. entry times, through Feb. 1
- How much: $14 to $24, $13 to $18 children ages 2 to 11; $250 igloo rental
- Info: fresnochafeezoo.com, Facebook or Instagram
Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree Lane has been a local tradition since 1920
Each December, North Van Ness Boulevard in Old Fig Garden becomes a one-way street lined with trees and homes with dazzling lights and decorations, according to the event website.
Visitors can drive the two-mile stretch from Shields to Shaw avenues.
- Where: North Van Ness Boulevard in Fresno
- When: Sunday to Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; through Wednesday, Dec. 25
- How much: Free
- Info: 559-348-9200 or christmastreelane.com
Kearney Mansion
Fresno’s historic Kearney Mansion is decorated for the holiday season with more than a dozen Christmas trees.
- Where: Kearney Mansion Museum, 7160 West Kearney Blvd. in Fresno
- When: Guided tours at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through Jan. 5
- How much: Guided tours $12, $10 seniors and $8 children ages 5 to 12
- Info: valleyhistory.org
Candy Cane Lane
Head to Candy Cane Lane in Clovis to see light-up snowmen, reindeer. candy canes and more.
“For nearly 20 years, this event is put on each year voluntarily by about 100 homeowners who enjoy seeing the smiling faces of people passing by their homes,” said community newspaper Clovis roundup.
- Where: 801-847 North Cindy Ave., Clovis,
- When: Through Wednesday, Dec. 25
- How much: Free
- Info: Instagram
Club One Casino
Advertised as “Central California’s premier poker room destination,” Club One Casino turns into a winter wonderland with a bright display of lights.
Where: 3950 North Cedar Ave., Fresno
When: Through Monday, Jan. 6
How much: Free
Info: clubonecasino.com
Decorating for the holidays? Let us know
Is your home or business decorated for the holidays?
Share a description and photos of your display by emailing Fresno Bee reporter Fernanda Galan at fgalan@fresnobee.com. You could be featured in a Fresno Bee article.
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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