Infographic: Festive activities to enjoy over break

Best holiday entertainment around Fresno to do with friends and family

Mayalina Cortez, Journalist • December 16, 2025

Christmas is just around the corner! Here are the best Christmas activities around Fresno to ease your boredom during this holiday break. Bring friends and family or run it solo around activities like Christmas Tree Lane, Illuminature and even the Nutcracker ballet.

Christmas Tree Lane:

Enjoy a free two-hour walk or car ride with friends and family around the brightest and festive houses. The walk starts on North Van Ness Blvd between Shields Ave and Shaw Ave and ends at the intersection of Palm Ave and W Shaw Ave. The last day to visit the lane is Dec. 25!

Dates: Now-Dec.25

Times: Sundays-Thursdays 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and Fridays-Saturdays 6 p.m.-11 p.m.

Cost: $0

Zoo Lights/ IllumiNature:

Relish in the handmade animal lights and lanterns around one of the best zoos in California! Fireplaces are located around the establishment with opportunities to buy s’more kits!

Dates: Dec.11-23, Dec.26-30, Jan.2-10, Jan.16-18, Jan.23-24, and Jan.30-31

Times: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Cost: $25 per adult and elder and $19 per child

Ice Skating:

Make your Christmas active and memorable with friends and family at the skating rink! Visit their website for more information about skating times, including special deals for groups..

Dates: Dec.12-Jan. 5

Times: 12 p.m.-9 p.m. (more info on Gateway website)

Cost: $19 per adult

Meet and Greet Christmas Characters:

Join the community at River park to meet some of your favorite Christmas characters including the Grinch, Mickey Mouse and Santa Clause! $5 is for both the meet and greet and pictures with a character!

Dates: Dec.12-13, Dec.19-20

Times: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Cost: $5 for pictures

Candlelight Concert:

Enjoy a night filled with astonishing stringed music from Christmas specials to your favorite top artists, including Taylor Swift, Adele and ABBA. Visit their website to discover a variety of performances on specific nights!

Dates: Dec.18-19, Dec. 26-27

Times: 6:15 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $30+

Nutcracker Ballet:

Experience the fabulous ballet production of The Nutcracker! Filled with beautiful backdrops, talented dancers, and a timeless festive story, this event is a tradition for many families. Consider getting dressed up and making it part of your holiday events.

Dates: Dec. 20-21

Times: 2 p.m.

Cost: Range from $150-$230

About the Contributor

Mayalina Cortez, Journalist

First-year journalist, Mayalina Cortez, ‘27, is ecstatic to start her writing journey with The Feather Online. Cortez loves being enthralled by books and movies, baking a new recipe, and believing laughter is the best medicine. Cortez aspires to work with wildlife in the long run, striving to value the creatures of the earth as much as she does with the people around her. When Cortez runs off the tennis courts, she is often on the stage with a mic in hand or inside a coffee shop with friends.