Christmas Tree Lane opens 100th year in Fresno with no walkers, but plenty of classic cars

Joshua Tehee

A caravan of classic cars took the inaugural trip down Christmas Tree Lane on Thursday night amid a steady rainfall, kicking off the 100th year of the Fresno tradition.

Organizers of the annual event extended the invitation to several car clubs in the area and had anticipated more than 50 cars to start the holiday season, which now runs 6 p.m. nightly through Christmas.

For the uninitiated, Christmas Tree Lane is set up along a two-mile stretch of Van Ness Avenue south of Fig Garden Village. During operating hours, both lanes run one-way from its entrance off Shields Avenue up to Shaw Avenue.

More than 140 houses and 300 trees are decorated along the way with twinkling lights, which organizers estimate number in the millions.

Having opening-night traffic is somewhat unusual for Christmas Tree Lane.

In the past, organizers have opened the season by closing down the street for one of two yearly “walk-only” nights. The COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the walk nights in 2020 and they have remain canceled since.

Christmas Tree Lane is a free event, sponsored by the Fig Garden Homeowners Association with donations from the public.

Classic cars drive along rainy North Van Ness Boulevard as a part of the opening ceremony for the 100th year of Christmas Tree Lane half an hour before the official 6 p.m. opening for the public Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno. Classic cars of all styles helped usher in the annual event. A limited supply of commemorative T-shirts and hoodies celebrating 100 years will be for sale, according to organizers.
North Van Ness Boulevard is empty just before the 6 p.m. start for the 100th year of Christmas Tree Lane Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno. The spectacle is open nightly through Dec. 25.
North Van Ness Boulevard is empty just before the 6 p.m. start for the 100th year of Christmas Tree Lane Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno. The spectacle is open nightly through Dec. 25.
Santa greets children as cars pass along Christmas Tree Lane, which is celebrating its 100th year, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.
Santa greets children as cars pass along Christmas Tree Lane, which is celebrating its 100th year, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.
Cars make their way along the wet street for the opening night of the 100th year for Christmas Tree Lane Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.
Cars make their way along the wet street for the opening night of the 100th year for Christmas Tree Lane Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.
Santa waves as cars pass along Christmas Tree Lane, which is celebrating its 100th year, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.
Santa waves as cars pass along Christmas Tree Lane, which is celebrating its 100th year, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 in Fresno.

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