If there are young children in your life, chances are this time of year Santa is a big topic of conversation. If the little ones in your life could use a close encounter with the big guy himself (or some of his merry-making associates) to make their Christmas season extra special, you are in luck!
Fresno has some really special events taking place just for families over the course of the next week, and here at FresYes.com we’ve done the work to list them in one place for your enjoyment – read on for all the details!
Family-Friendly Holiday Events This Week (Featuring Santa!)
Nightly from 5-8pm: Zoo Lights at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Come enjoy holiday music, special drinks and snacks and all the glittering lights of the Zoo, decked out for the holidays! Free photos with Santa will be available, too! Tickets for this annual, much-cherished local activity can be purchased online here.
Tuesday, Dec. 11th from 6-10pm: 2nd & Last Christmas Tree Lane Walk-Only Night
Walking Christmas Tree Lane is an annual tradition for many Fresno Families. The second and final night of the year in which the lane will be closed to vehicle traffic will be Tuesday, Dec. 11th. A shuttle is available if you start at Gazebo Gardens if you prefer not to walk the full length of the lane in both directions. You can also start from Fig Garden Village Shopping Center. Whichever way you go, the glittering lane is sure to delight, and you’ll even see the big guy himself near the halfway point of your walk. Need additional info? Click here.
Thursday, Dec. 13th from 4-6pm: Cornerstone Coffee Open House
Santa & his buddy Rudolph will be happy to greet little ones for photo ops while grown-ups enjoy a delicious coffee for a cause. Cornerstone Coffee is located Downtown on the SW corner of Fulton and Stanislaus, and the café provides job training and employment opportunities for women who are part of the programs from Light-House Recovery Program. This event is free, coffee is available for purchase and 100% of funds raised benefit Light-House and their community work.
Thursday, Dec. 13th from 4-7pm: Holiday Extravaganza at Pavilion West Shopping Center
Shoppers can enjoy free food and drink samples, sugar cookie decorating at Boo Boo Bean Bakery, special sales, holiday music and of course a meet and greet and photo session with Santa himself this Thursday night in the Pavilion West Shopping Center on the SW corner of Bullard and West in NW Fresno.
Friday, Dec. 14th from 5:30-8: Ride the Train to the North Pole at Santa’s Sleighland in Playland
This Friday night enjoy unlimited Playland rides a train ride to the North Pole, a visit and photo with Santa and a candy cane all for one price. Tickets are available online (at a discount of $2) or at the gates.
Saturday, Dec. 15th from 11am – 4pm: Free Train Rides and Cookies & Cocoa with Mrs. Claus in Riverpark
Kids can enjoy live music and free train rides around the Riverpark Shopping Center between 11am and 4pm this Saturday, and from 3pm – 6pm kids can enjoy cookies and cocoa with Mrs. Claus. Look for signs and information near the front of Edwards Cinema.
Saturday, Dec. 15th or Sunday, Dec. 16th from 1pm – 3pm: Free carriage ride and photo with Santa in Fig Garden Village
Families can enjoy a free ride around Fig Garden Village Shopping Center followed by a visit with Santa and free photo by meeting the carriage in front of the big Christmas tree next to Pottery Barn. (Subject to cancelation due to heavy rain, just FYI.)
- Cool Off in Fresno with Korean Desserts from Café Daldal - July 17, 2025
- A New Tea Spot in Northwest Fresno Worth Getting Excited About - July 10, 2025
- Fresno Area Fireworks Show Roundup 2025 - July 3, 2025
Leave a Reply