Widmer World Open For 25th Season

PLEASANTON, CA — It’s finally December, which means that it’s time to leave Pleasanton and enter Widmer World, which reopened Sunday for its 25th year.

On a quiet street in Pleasanton - well, it’s quiet for most of the year, save this month - is a roughly one-acre yard glistening with multicolored animated reindeer, elves playing guitar, a manger scene, and of course, a 27-foot tree. There are so many lights twinkling throughout this mesmerizing winter village - hundreds of thousands, by some estimates - that it’s probably visible from outer space.

The Widmer family has been slowly building this magical fantasy world since 1980, when Robert Widmer sent away for a U-Build plan of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer. That 42-year-old display can still be found in the backyard, surrounded by all the additions - the nativity scene, a candy shop, Santa’s workshop, a merry-go-round, a full mini-village full of so much more, and of course, Santa himself - that have blossomed since then. And people have taken notice: Bob Widmer estimates that at least 10,000 people stop by each season, and Widmer World was even featured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC in 2015.

The display at 3671 Chelsea Court in Pleasanton boasts a nativity scene, a candy shop, Santa’s workshop, a merry-go-round, a full mini-village full of so much more, and of course, Santa himself. This year, Widmer World also hosting a Scooby Doo-themed scavenger hunt.

Widmer World is open Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 each night from 6 to 9. Entrance is free, but donations are appreciated.

Visit Widmer-world.com for more information.

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