Where to See Christmas Lights in the Central Valley: 2026 Guide
Quick answer: Five Central Valley light events already have 2026 dates: Hanford Winter Wonderland (opens Nov. 21), Bakersfield Christmas Town (opens Nov. 27), the Bass Lake Parade of Lights (Nov. 28), Visalia’s 80th Candy Cane Lane Parade (Nov. 30) and the Ridgecrest Tree Lighting (Dec. 4). Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s IllumiNature and HolidayLights at CALM usually open around Thanksgiving or the first week of December.
From Fresno’s century-old Christmas Tree Lane to a 105-foot pine in downtown Madera, the southern San Joaquin Valley has plenty of places to see holiday lights. This guide covers no-cost drives and neighborhood streets, ticketed light shows, and the lighted parades that kick off the season in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera and Kern counties.
Dates and prices change every year. Where an organizer has already announced its 2026 schedule, we list it. Where it hasn’t, we show last season’s dates so you know roughly when to expect it, and link to the official page to check before you go. This guide was last checked on October 14, 2026.
2026 Dates Announced So Far
Event | City | 2026 date | Admission |
Hanford Winter Wonderland | Hanford | Opens Sat., Nov. 21 (tickets on sale Nov. 1) | Ticketed |
Bakersfield Christmas Town | Bakersfield | Opens Fri., Nov. 27 | Ticketed |
Bass Lake Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights | Bass Lake | Sat., Nov. 28, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | No charge |
Candy Cane Lane Parade (80th) | Visalia | Mon., Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. | No charge |
City of Ridgecrest Tree Lighting | Ridgecrest | Fri., Dec. 4, 5–9 p.m. | No charge |
Fresno County
Christmas Tree Lane, Fresno
One of the Valley’s longest-running holiday traditions. Homeowners along Van Ness Boulevard in Old Fig Garden have decorated their homes and trees since 1920, and the lane now spans about two miles with roughly 140 decorated homes and millions of lights, according to ABC30. It is funded by the residents and community donations.
Where: Van Ness Boulevard between Shields and Shaw avenues, Fresno. Traffic runs one way, northbound.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Dec. 3–25, 2025, about 6–10 p.m. most weeknights and until 11 p.m. on weekends.
Cost: No charge to drive or walk through. Donations are welcome.
Good to know: Dim your headlights and watch for walkers. Weekends and the nights closest to Christmas are the busiest, so go early in the month or on a weeknight. There were no walk-only nights in 2025, so check the official site before planning a walk.
Sources: Christmas Tree Lane, GV Wire, ABC30
IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
A walk-through show of hundreds of handmade lanterns in nature-themed, interactive and cultural designs, set along the zoo’s paths. It replaced the zoo’s old ZooLights event in 2022 and adds holiday food, drinks and photos with Santa.
Where: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: select nights from Nov. 20, 2025 (members only) through Jan. 31, 2026, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Ticketed. For the 2025–26 season, non-member adult tickets were $25 in November and December and $20 in January.
Good to know: Buy tickets on the zoo’s website, and check the calendar, since the show runs on select nights only.
Sources: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Visit Fresno County
Candy Cane Lane, Clovis
A neighbor-run street of lights and classic holiday cutouts in Clovis, organized by the residents each year.
Where: Cindy Avenue near Alluvial and Peach avenues, Clovis.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: nightly Dec. 1–25, 2025, from dusk to about 10 p.m.
Cost: No charge. No tickets or donations required.
Good to know: You can walk or drive. Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
Sources: Clovis Roundup, Dec. 17, Clovis Roundup, Dec. 23, Visit Fresno County
Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade
Lighted floats roll through the historic district of Old Town Clovis. The parade is organized by the Old Town Clovis Kiwanis.
Where: Old Town Clovis, ending along Pollasky Avenue.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Sat., Dec. 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m. The Clovis Christmas tree lighting at the Civic Center was Mon., Dec. 1, 2025.
Cost: No charge to watch from the street.
Good to know: Claim a sidewalk spot early.
Sources: Clovis Roundup: parade, Clovis Roundup: tree lighting
Reedley Electrical Farm Equipment Parade
A true Valley original: tractors, trucks and farm equipment covered in lights, plus marching bands with light-up instruments. The parade draws thousands of people to downtown Reedley each year.
Where: Downtown Reedley, along G Street.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Fri., Dec. 5, 2025, 7 p.m. Presented by the Reedley Lions Club.
Cost: No charge to watch from the street.
Sources: ABC30 holiday events list, KMPH
Tulare County
Candy Cane Lane Parade, Visalia
Downtown Visalia’s parade turns 80 this year. It draws more than 10,000 people and over 100 entries, and for the season Main Street is known as “Candy Cane Lane,” with twinkle lights in the trees and decorated shop windows.
Where: Main Street from Liberty to Conyer, downtown Visalia.
When: 2026: Mon., Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. The parade is held the Monday after Thanksgiving, rain or shine.
Cost: No charge.
Good to know: The road closes at 3 p.m. Chairs and blankets can’t go on the street or sidewalk until the road is fully closed.
Sources: Downtown Visalia, Sun-Gazette, ABC30, Visit Visalia
Deck the Home Map, Visalia
The City of Visalia runs a holiday home-decorating contest, and Visit Visalia shares a map of the recognized homes, so you can plan your own drive past the best-decorated houses in town.
Where: Homes across Visalia. Look for the map on the city and Visit Visalia pages.
When: The map is posted during the season. Check the city’s page for the current year.
Cost: No charge, viewed from public streets.
Good to know: Please stay on the street and respect the homeowners’ property.
Sources: City of Visalia, Visit Visalia
Tulare’s Hometown Holiday and Christmas Parade
A no-cost downtown festival with the city tree lighting, carolers, holiday movies, kids’ crafts, snow and Santa photos, plus the Tulare Christmas Parade organized by the Tulare Downtown Foundation.
Where: Zumwalt Park amphitheater and downtown Tulare.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Dec. 4–7, 2025, 5–7 p.m. The parade was Dec. 4, 2025.
Cost: No charge.
Sources: Visit Visalia, Sun-Gazette
Porterville Children’s Christmas Parade
Porterville’s evening parade has traditionally been held on the first Thursday in December, with more than 80 entries of floats, lights and performers. The City of Porterville’s Parks and Leisure Services Department is taking over the parade from the Chamber of Commerce in 2026.
Where: Downtown Porterville.
When: 2026 date not yet announced. Watch the City of Porterville’s announcements.
Cost: No charge to watch from the street.
Sources: Porterville Recorder
Kings County
Hanford Winter Wonderland
Run by the City of Hanford, Winter Wonderland combines an ice rink, a restored carousel, a vendor village and photos with Santa. The highlight for light fans is the Tour of Lights, a ride past thousands of lights and animated displays aboard “Freddie the Fire Truck.”
Where: 400 N. Douty St., downtown Hanford.
When: 2026: opens Sat., Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1. Last season it was open weekdays 4–9 p.m. and weekends 2–9:15 p.m.
Cost: Ticketed.
Good to know: The Tour of Lights sold out in 2025, so book it as soon as tickets go on sale. Reservations are recommended for peak weekends.
Sources: Hanford Winter Wonderland, Hanford Insider
Hanford Christmas Parade
Hanford’s evening parade runs the day after Thanksgiving. The route was extended in 2025, adding about 2,000 feet of curbside viewing.
Where: From 7th and Harris streets to Douty and 10th streets, downtown Hanford.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Fri., Nov. 28, 2025, 6 p.m.
Cost: No charge to watch from the street.
Sources: City of Hanford
Madera County
Madera Tree Lighting, Christmas Light Parade and Christmas in the Park
One night, three events. Madera County revived its tree lighting in 2025 after more than 30 years, with a 105-foot pine billed as the tallest tree lighting in the Central Valley. The downtown Christmas Light Parade dates to 1960, and every entry must carry at least 100 lights.
Where: Courthouse Park and Yosemite Avenue, downtown Madera.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Fri., Dec. 5, 2025: Christmas in the Park at 5 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m. and the light parade at 7 p.m.
Cost: No charge.
Sources: Sierra News Online, Madera County
Bass Lake Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade of Lights
A mountain-town tradition on the way to Yosemite, now in its 35th year, with a Parade of Lights, a float parade, a tree lighting, Santa’s arrival and a craft fair.
Where: The Pines Village, 54432 Road 432, Bass Lake.
When: 2026: Sat., Nov. 28, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: No charge.
Good to know: Bass Lake sits up in the Sierra foothills, so dress for a colder evening than on the Valley floor.
Sources: Visit Yosemite Madera County
Oakhurst Christmas Tree Lighting
Oakhurst’s tree lighting is followed by Santa’s arrival on his sleigh, with vendors and live music through the afternoon.
Where: Ditton’s Talking Bear, Highway 41 and Road 426, Oakhurst.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Sat., Dec. 6, 2025, 4–9 p.m., with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. It goes ahead in any weather.
Cost: Check the event listing.
Sources: Sierra News Online
Kern County
Bakersfield Christmas Town
A ticketed holiday attraction at the Kern County Fairgrounds with a mile-long drive-through of lights and displays, plus a walk-through area with a sledding hill, ice rink, hayride and Santa.
Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Bakersfield. Use Gate 28 for the drive-through and Gate 31 for the walk-through.
When: 2026: opens Fri., Nov. 27. Last season it ran nightly from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cost: Ticketed, priced per person for the walk-through and per vehicle for the drive-through.
Good to know: The walk-through has been closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while the drive-through stays open.
Sources: Bakersfield Christmas Town, BakersfieldNow
HolidayLights at CALM
The California Living Museum’s walk-through light show fills the zoo with holiday-themed areas and millions of lights. Admission includes unlimited rides on the Candy Cane Express train, and Santa visits nightly through Christmas Eve. It is the museum foundation’s largest annual fundraiser.
Where: California Living Museum, 10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy., Bakersfield.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: the 23rd annual show ran Nov. 29, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2026 (closed Christmas Day), 5:30–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cost: Ticketed. In 2025, adult tickets were $19.
Good to know: Buy tickets online in advance.
Sources: KGET, CALM events
Haggin Oaks Neighborhood Lights, Bakersfield
West Bakersfield’s Haggin Oaks neighborhood is known for elaborate home displays, and traffic on some streets slows to a crawl in December. Volunteers have run a hot chocolate stand at 2301 Haggin Oaks Blvd. since 1993.
Where: Haggin Oaks Boulevard and nearby streets, including Nantes Way, west Bakersfield.
When: Resident displays with no official schedule. Most are lit in December.
Cost: No charge, viewed from public streets.
Good to know: Bike Bakersfield has hosted an annual Haggin Oaks Christmas Light Ride. Lights are required, and riders under 18 need helmets.
Sources: KGET, KGET holiday events
Bakersfield Christmas Parade
Downtown Bakersfield’s evening parade has more than 100 entries, including floats, bands and vehicles, and is broadcast live on KGET.
Where: Downtown Bakersfield.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Thu., Dec. 4, 2025, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: No charge to watch from the street.
Sources: KGET, BakersfieldNow
Holiday Lamplight Tours at Kern County Museum
An evening at the museum with a holiday hayride, docent-led tours of historic houses, carolers and the lit Neon Plaza.
Where: Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Sat., Dec. 6, 2025, 5:30–9 p.m.
Cost: Ticketed. Admission was $10 in 2025.
Sources: KGET holiday events
Tehachapi Hometown Christmas
A full day downtown on Green Street, ending with a Christmas parade of light-decorated floats and a tree lighting at the Tehachapi Depot Museum.
Where: Green Street, Railroad Park and Centennial Plaza, downtown Tehachapi.
When: 2026 dates not yet announced. Last season: Sat., Dec. 6, 2025, with the parade at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: No charge to watch.
Good to know: Bring a chair for the parade.
Sources: The Loop
City of Ridgecrest Tree Lighting
A no-cost family night with Santa photos, live reindeer, cocoa and cookies for kids, trackless train rides and big-band music.
Where: 100 W. California Ave., Ridgecrest.
When: 2026: Fri., Dec. 4, 5–9 p.m. The tree lights switch on at 6 p.m.
Cost: No charge.
Sources: City of Ridgecrest
More Kern County parades
Several smaller towns hold evening Christmas parades in early December. These were last season’s dates, reported by BakersfieldNow and KGET.
Parade | 2025 date | Where |
Shafter Christmas Parade | Fri., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. | Mannel Park |
Delano Christmas Parade | Fri., Dec. 5, 6 p.m. | Main Street |
Wasco Christmas Parade | Sat., Dec. 6, 6 p.m. | Downtown, with tree lighting |
McFarland Candy Cane Lane Parade | Sun., Dec. 7, 5 p.m. | Downtown |
Taft Christmas Parade | Mon., Dec. 8, 6–8 p.m. | Center Street |
Downtowns Worth a Stroll
Several downtowns decorate for the whole season, so you can see the lights on any evening, according to Visit Fresno County and Visit Visalia:
Downtown Fresno: lights, wreaths and a tree around Fulton Street and Van Ness Avenue.
Kingsburg: the Swedish Village’s shops and dala horses are lit for the season.
Reedley: a giant tree downtown.
Visalia: twinkle lights in the trees along Main Street and decorated shop windows.
Tips for a Better Lights Night
Go early in the season or on a weeknight. Popular drives like Christmas Tree Lane are busiest on weekends and in the days right before Christmas.
Buy tickets ahead. Zoo, museum and fairground shows sell tickets online, and some time slots sell out.
Dim your headlights on residential drives, and watch for walkers.
Arrive early for parades and bring chairs, but wait until the street is closed before setting them out where rules require it.
Check the official page the day you go. Weather can cancel or postpone outdoor events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Christmas Tree Lane cost anything?
No. There is no charge to drive or walk through it. Homeowners and community donations pay for it.
When does Christmas Tree Lane open in 2026?
The 2026 opening hasn’t been announced yet. In 2025 it opened Dec. 3 and ran through Dec. 25. Check the official Christmas Tree Lane site for this year’s dates.
Where can I see Christmas lights from my car?
Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno, Candy Cane Lane in Clovis, the Haggin Oaks neighborhood in Bakersfield and the drive-through at Bakersfield Christmas Town all work from the car. The last one is ticketed.
Which light shows are walk-through?
IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, HolidayLights at CALM and the walk-through side of Bakersfield Christmas Town are all walk-through, ticketed shows.
Are these dates final?
Only the five events in the 2026 table had published 2026 dates when we last checked on October 14, 2026. For everything else we list last season’s dates. We will update this guide as organizers announce 2026 schedules.
About This Guide
This guide is written and kept up to date by the team at Christmas Decor by Kaylor Landscape in Porterville. Every listing links to the organizer or to local news coverage. Know of an event we missed, or spot a date that changed? Let us know.
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