As one of the city’s most beloved traditions, Turlock’s Christmas Tree Lane has served as a perfect way to kick off the holiday season with astonishing light displays and decorations for decades.
Located off Berkeley Avenue and filling the streets of Wellerman Way and Michael Way, Turlock’s Christmas Tree Lane has been a Christmas tradition for over 30 years. Every house goes above each and every visitor’s expectation with incredible light displays — and some even include music.
During a typical visit to Christmas Tree Lane, visitors can gaze in awe at each brightly lit house where Christmas Tree Lane residents either opted for a traditional holiday display or showcased a unique theme. This year, there are houses that appeal to every visitor whether they like Star Wars — one house has inflatable Star Wars characters like Darth Vader, C-3PO and R2D2 — or How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! — as another house has an astonishing Whoville display likened to the one seen in the movie.
To get to Turlock’s Christmas Tree Lane from Highway 99, take the Monte Vista exit and make a right onto Berkeley Avenue. Christmas Tree Lane can be accessed by turning right onto Michael Way. Guests can either drive with their lights off or venture the sidewalks on foot.
Turlock is not the only local city with a Christmas Tree Lane as Ceres is also dazzling its residents with Christmas tree lights and decorations on its very own Christmas Tree Lane for the 55th time this year. Residents of Christmas Tree Lane on Henry Avenue and Vaughn Street off of Moffett Road have been going all out with Christmas decorations since 1961.
“We get geared up the week before Thanksgiving,” said Norbert Pereira, who moved onto Henry Avenue 13 years ago from the Bay Area.
This year Pereira set up a plywood display featuring characters from the Grinch movie. Past displays went with a church theme and a Disney theme.
Pereira said that the spirit of Christmas Tree Lane has spread to neighboring streets like Caswell and Leslie this year.
“I think it’s awesome,” he said.
To get to Ceres’ Christmas Tree Lane from Highway 99, take the Whitmore exit and make a left onto Moffett Road. Christmas Tree Lane can be located by turning left onto Henry Avenue.