Inexpensive Family Outing Becomes a Christmas Tradition in Fresno

This December, make a thermos of hot chocolate and a tin of cookies then pile your family in the car for some wonderful displays of Christmas lights in Fresno. Our family favorite is Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno, California. You can find this attraction on Van Ness Boulevard between Shields and Shaw Avenues.

Each December millions of lights stream through the nearly two miles of decorated houses in the Fig Garden area of Fresno, California. Many of the displays are unique and feature popular Disney characters, superheroes, and other beloved Christmas scenes, such as the Abominable Snowman. Some of the house decorations here are definitely over the top! There is a castle and skating pond, electronic fireworks, and so much more.

The pace of this drive is relaxed and you are welcome to take of your seatbelts, cuddle your baby, and slowly cruise down Van Ness Boulevard while listening to holiday music and taking in the spectacular light show. Our children like to take blankets and snacks because the air inside the car gets chilled on especially cold nights despite the car heater's best efforts with our windows down. The people running this celebration are very friendly and there is no charge for viewing the light displays. Donations are very much appreciated to continue funding the non-profit effort throughout each holiday season.

Originally, this annual tradition began with the decoration of a single tree to commemorate the memory of a child in 1920. Since then, it has grown into a large and festive area event attracting over 100,000 people each year. In fact, this year, Christmas Tree Lane will celebrate its 87^th anniversary. This Fresno treat continues to hold its own as one of the nation's longest running holiday events.

Some nights are designated as walk nights (December 5^th and 15^th) and are closed to car traffic a few days out of the season. These days allow visitors to really experience the grandeur of the lighted displays, spanning across 140 homes and 300 trees. Opening night is December 5^th, one of the featured walk nights. The season runs through December 26^th with hours on Sunday -Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Friday - Saturdays from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Whether you choose to visit during a walk night or pile the kids in the family vehicle for a leisurely drive, you can't miss out on such a wonderful and affordable family tradition if you live in Fresno, California.

Sources of Info:

Personal Experience driving through Christmas Tree Lane in 2007 & 2008.

Christmas Tree Lane (http://www.motherwired.com/xmastreelane.html)

Videos on YouTube.com (Google search results.)