Let’s be honest. It has been grey outside for more than two weeks now, and it is chilly, even for the Valley. If you tend to feel the seasonal gloom set in, it can be tempting to stay home, curl up in bed, and avoid being social. I’m here to encourage you to push through that feeling and make a plan to enjoy the special local events happening this season. You will make memories, spend time with people you love, and tap into the connection and community we all crave. So grab your calendar, text a few friends, and make plans now to check out these five holiday experiences before they are gone. 1. Mariposa Winter Village The Mariposa Winter Village is Downtown’s bigger, better winter village that surrounds the ice rink at 1940 Mariposa Street. This year you will find nightly themed skate nights, private rental igloos where you can gather and stay warm with friends and family, food vendors, lights, music and more. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9:30 pm, Fridays from 4 to 11 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 11 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm. Skating is $18 for adults and $15 for children. To see each night’s theme or reserve a skate session, click here. Mariposa Winter Village runs from Dec. 5 to Jan. 9 this year. 2. Illuminature at the Chaffee Zoo This year’s Illuminature is truly the best yet. Each season the Zoo adds new light displays, many of which are made of beautiful custom fabric lanterns lit from the inside, along with more interactive games and exhibits. The whole experience feels magical. Whether you have kids with you or just want to embrace your inner child, it is delightful and well worth the cost of admission. Treat yourself to making s’mores by the firepits near the entrance to African Adventure too. It is fun, tasty, and supports the Zoo. Illuminature runs from 5 to 9 pm on select dates through January 31. Purchase tickets online here. 3. Miracle on Fulton You may already know Miracle at Modernist, when Downtown’s craft cocktail bar transforms into a twinkle-filled holiday wonderland with thousands of lights, festive drinks served in cute collectible cups, and a completely decked out space inside and out. This year the experience is even bigger, expanding into the next door dark academia themed bar, Bespoke. The extra space means more room for groups, which is great since Miracle is extremely popular and could have long waits in previous years. Now you can enjoy holiday fun at both bars throughout the season. My personal favorite drink on the holiday menu is the light and refreshing Chrismapolitan, though the Santa Rex comes in a t-rex-wearing-a-Santa-hat mug that is hard to resist. The Miracle takeover of Fulton runs seven days a week through Christmas, and reservations are available online. Make one here. 4. The 96th Annual Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade – THIS Saturday, 12/13 For the first time in its 96 year history, the Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade is moving to an evening time slot so all the lights can shine. The parade begins at 6:30 pm at Inyo and H Street and continues to Calaveras and Van Ness. Many Downtown businesses will be open, including Tioga-Sequoia’s Beer Garden which will turn into holiday themed Tiogaland for the night with special food, drinks, and themed merch. Parade-goers can vote for their favorite floats, and the community will be out in full force with beautiful displays of Fresno’s many cultures represented through marching bands and dance groups. Do not miss this annual event happening Saturday night. For more info, click here. 5. Take the Christmas Lights Tour of the Town Did you know there are more than 25 synced light and music show houses and heavily lit neighborhoods to visit throughout Fresno and Clovis? The number grows each year. The Fresno Street Eats team has built the official Fresno Xmas Lights map so you can enjoy a DIY Christmas light tour anytime. Make some hot cocoa, grab a blanket, and head out for a drive to take in the creativity and effort that goes into these gorgeous displays. See the full map and follow the Instagram account here. December can feel busy and exhausting, but it can also be full of moments that recharge you. Choose the events that spark joy for you and let them be a reminder that winter can be cozy, bright, and full of community! ...read more read less