Popular Pleasanton Holiday Light Display Featured on 'The Great Christmas Light Fight'

PLEASANTON, CA - It’s one of the biggest holiday light displays in the East Bay and the preparation to make the whole thing a reality usually starts in August. This season, the rigorous set-up process started even earlier for Bob Widmer and his family because their huge home display was featured on the popular television series “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC. Each season, the show features families from across the country with extraordinary holiday home displays.

In order to be ready for filming, the entire Widmer family worked feverishly in triple-digit temperatures to redesign and finish the entire display by the end of September.

Widmer, who is a retired software consultant, has been decking his yard for the holiday season since 1981. He makes all of the wooden displays and moving carousels seen in his Fairlands yard in Pleasanton. Widmer-World is and always has been a family affair comprised of a tireless crew of Widmer’s children and their spouses, grandchildren and a few close family friends.

Donations at Widmer-World are accepted to help offset the cost of providing free pictures with Santa and the presumably hefty PG&E bill. According to the Widmer-World website, any extra donations over the costs of electricity and St. Nick are forwarded on to the family’s favorite charities.

Just how much is the electricity bill for Widmer’s fantastic lights exhibits? Only Widmer knows for sure although, in a previous Patch article, he did offer a hint.

“I never tell anyone about my bill but think thousands,” Widmer said.

Widmer-World, located at 3671 Chelsea Court in Pleasanton, opened on Dec. 1 and will be open nightly until Dec. 31. Santa will be visiting Widmer-World and will be available for complimentary photos on Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 between 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Widmer family was in the Pleasanton Hometown Holiday parade last Saturday. They have been in the parade every year since 2010. Follow Widmer-World on Facebook.

Watch “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on Dec. 14 to see how Widmer-World fared.