The Christmas season is underway and many have already celebrated by participating in the 83rd annual Christmas Tree Lane walk. Ornate houses are decorated with twinkling lights and lawn decorations of Santa Claus, penguins and different seasonal scenes.

While the last night to walk down Christmas Tree Lane on Van Ness Blvd was Dec. 7, the Fresno tradition continues throughout December. Thousands of onlookers will take in the two-mile decorated lane by car to take in the colorful holiday sights.

Over 140 homes and 300 trees are decorated and the display spans nearly two miles. Most walkers start at the canal near Lansing near Shields Ave. and walk north on Van Ness Boulevard. More than 100,000 visit the lane each year.

The event is free and is solely funded by donations to the Fig Garden Homeowners Association. Donations benefit the lighting and maintenance of the lane and can be given near the end as Santa and his helpers have a donation box set up.

The lane is open for vehicle traffic Sunday through Thursday, Dec. 1 through Sunday Dec. 25 from 6-11 P.M. Vehicles most often enter Van Ness at Shields Ave. and the Lane is only open to traffic headed North.

For more information go online at www.oldfig.org.