Widmer-World Christmas Light Display Opens for the Holiday Season

PLEASANTON, CA - One of the biggest holiday light displays in the East Bay is open for the holiday season. People from all over the Bay Area visit the popular display, which was featured on the popular television series “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC in 2015.

The rigorous preparation to make the whole thing a reality usually starts in August. Bob 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 to 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. Widmer never tells what he pays for electricity but has hinted in the past that is in the thousands.

Widmer-World is located at 3671 Chelsea Court in Pleasanton. The display opens on Dec. 1 and will be open nightly until Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Santa will be visiting Widmer-World and will be available for complimentary photos on Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 between 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Follow Widmer-World on Facebook.

Photo contributed