Among the elite class of Bay Area holiday lights enthusiasts, Joseph Leake goes the extra mile – literally – to transform his family’s property into a bright and brilliant spectacle every winter season.
Leake lives in San Francisco, where he often works long weeks and double shifts in the Sheriff’s Department’s DNA and forensics unit. But somehow, he will find time to commute to his 93-year-old father’s home in Redding, more than 200 miles north, to set up an elaborate, nature-themed Christmas display that includes a blue-lighted river coursing through the front yard, berry-filled trees, otters mining gold, hot air balloons and a gnome community center.
This year, Leake’s portfolio as a holiday lights enthusiast is growing as he takes over running the famous California Christmas Lights website. The site has become the go-to place for Bay Area people who want to enjoy a festive winter night outing by exploring extraordinary holiday lights displays in their neighborhoods or nearby communities.
The nature-themed holiday lights display at the Redding home of John Leake, whose son, Joseph Leake, curates the famed California Christmas Lights website. (Photo/Joseph Leaked)
Leake is taking over the volunteer job of curating California Christmas Lights from Alex Dourov, another famed enthusiast from Livermore, who created the first iteration of the site in 1999. Leake and Dourov knew each other from the California Christmas Lights Facebook page. Dourov reached out to Leake with his plans to retire, in part because he and his wife like to spend time babysitting their young grandchildren.
Leake said Dourov told him, “If you don’t want to do it, then it’s closing down, and I went, ‘Oh my God,’ you can’t let California Christmas Lights close down. That’s just wrong.”
LIVERMORE, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Alexander Hourel Flores, 6, of Hayward, interacts with a snow machine as part of the Christmas display at Alex Dourov’s Knottingham Circle extravaganza in Livermore, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dourov may have passed the California Christmas Lights torch, but he will still decorate his family’s home in his usual over-the-top fashion, as he’s been doing since the early 1990s.
Like Leake and other great home illuminators, Dourov started decorating his property with a few modest strands of lights. But his decorating ambitions grew ever more expansive and detailed each year, soon incorporating a light show accompanied by music.
The site grew out of his desire to help people who love holiday lights find his home and others in the Tri-Valley area. Early on, Dourov’s site, of course, included a page for “Deacon” Dave Rezendes’ world-famous display at his Livermore home, Casa del Pomba.
Very quickly, the website expanded to include homes in other East Bay towns and over the Altamont Pass in San Joaquin County. Pretty soon, holiday decorators in the South and North bays and on the Peninsula signed on, too, and the website eventually grew to include more than 300 homes in some 130 towns throughout Northern California.
Now Leake is running the site, with the help of his tech-savvy sister, Barbara Jaquez. And sometime before Thanksgiving, he’ll find time to drive or fly from San Francisco to Redding to help his father, John, get his display ready to turn on the day after Thanksgiving.
As great holiday lights enthusiasts often say, Leake and his father are motivated by the happiness they bring to the hundreds of people who stop by the house each year.
“The biggest funny thing about it is people come up and say, ‘Oh, it’s a tradition now with our family. We come here every year,’” Leake says. “Dad looks at me, he starts laughing and goes, ‘How much more of this can we do?’ I said, “I’m game as long as you’re game.’”
In that spirit, here are more amazing light displays to visit in the Bay Area this holiday season. Some, like Dourov and Leake’s, are hosted by individual homeowners, while others are mounted by local parks, civic and business organizations and churches. For the displays listed, expect admission to be free, unless otherwise specified. Details of some displays were not available as of press time.
LIVERMORE, CA – NOV. 18: Alex Dourov, of Livermore, is photographed making final adjustments to his Christmas light display at his home in Livermore, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. Dourov starts decorating his home in mid October and spends about 48-60 hours decorating the outside of his home.. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alex Dourov’s extravaganza, Livermore
Dourov’s display offers a mix of old-school decorations that he has accumulated over the past 30 years and high-tech light and sound effects as well as a snow machine, penguins on skis, a star-topped “mega” Christmas tree and a new, light-up Santa’s workshop. Kids are invited to make calls to Santa, and guests can listen to music from the sidewalk or on 107.9 FM from their car.
Details: Nightly from Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 at 467 Knottingham Circle in Livermore; http://californiachristmaslights.com/.
The holiday lights display at the San Jose home of Tony Tran and his family (Photo courtesy of Tony Tran)
Tran Family’s Winter Wonderland, San Jose
A large glowing archway leads visitors into this magical display created by Tony Tran, his wife, Stacey, and their two daughters. A 2023 finalist for ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” the display has in the past featured 12 brightly lit Christmas trees, illuminated angels and a giant stack of Christmas presents, on top of which stands an 8-foot Santa Claus, who will sing songs and tell stories.
Details: Nightly, starting at 6 p.m., Dec. 1 through 24 at 578 Flagler St., San Jose.
Deacon Dave’s world-famous display, Livermore
You could consider Dave Rezendes, a deacon at Livermore’s St. Michael Church in Livermore, one of the O.Gs of Bay Area holiday lights enthusiasts. Like other great illuminators, he began the display at his home, Casa del Pomba, rather modestly with about 2,000 lights in the early 1980s. For his display last year — his 40th — more than 785,000 lights twinkled and glowed around his property. As in years past, expect opening night, which falls on Nov. 30 this year, to be a grand event, with excited crowds joining in a procession down Hillcrest Avenue.
Details: Nightly, starting at 6 p.m., Nov. 30 to Jan. 1, with an opening night procession at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. 352 Hillcrest Ave. in Livermore; http://casadelpomba.com.
Hao Wu, of San Carlos, holds son Ethan Wu, then 14 months old, with Zoe Liu, during 2022 holiday season events at Filoli in Woodside. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group archives)
Historic lights in Woodside
Experience classic holiday elegance at Woodside’s century-old Filoli estate. Inside the stately mansion, elaborately decorated trees radiate celebration in the grand ballroom and other graciously appointed spaces. But what’s especially enchanting about Filoli during the holidays are the miles of twinkling lights arrayed around the extensive garden, including a 210-foot-long light tunnel. On weekends in December, Santa will be available for selfies, and visitors can pause their tour to sip sparkling wine in the ballroom or enjoy a traditional tea, with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, in the garden house.
Details: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Nov. 16 through Jan. 12 at 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. Filoli will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $23-$43; https://filoli.org.
Temple Hill, Oakland
The spectacular gardens of the Mormon Temple, visible from many parts of the Bay Area, make an ideal location to create a holiday display. Against the white granite of the temple, thousands of lights are arrayed around the garden, which features fountains and lush flora. There’s also a pool, surrounded by 42 towering palm trees and leading to a glowing manger scene. The lights also illuminate the five golden spires atop the temple.
Details: Nightly, starting at dusk through the month of December, at 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland; https://templehill.org/christmas-lights-at-the-oakland-temple
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Plywood cutouts of cartoon characters in front of a house at “Crippsmas Place,” a neighborhood Christmas lights display, along Wellington Place in Fremont, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Crippsmas Place, Fremont
For more than six decades, residents of the 70 homes in this north Fremont neighborhood have illuminated their front yards and raised larger-than-life plywood cutouts of favorite cartoon characters in a representation of community solidarity and goodwill. They’ve also used their displays to raise money for worthy causes.
Details: Nightly, 6-10 p.m., Dec. 7 to 28. Cripps Place and surrounding streets in Fremont; www.crippsmasplace.org.
Colorful holiday lights illuminate cactuses and other plants at Walnut Creek’s famed Ruth Bancroft Garden (Photos courtesy of Monica Avila)
Lights in the Cacti in Walnut Creek
During “Garden of d’Lights,” visitors can meander along the paths of the 3.5-acre Ruth Bancroft Garden, where its world-famous collection of gorgeous cactuses, other succulents and drought-tolerant plants are presented with fantastical and specially programmed lasers and thousands of LED lights.
Details: Selected evenings, Nov. 22 through Jan. 11. 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Tickets, $16-$29, must be purchased ahead; https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/garden-of-dlights
Christmas in the Park, San Jose
The beloved San Jose tradition offers two ways to see lights and other festive displays. The popular walk-through takes place in the heart of downtown in Plaza de Cesar Chavez with a 65-foot illuminated tree and a forest of pines decorated by San José schools, community groups and businesses. A separate drive-through light show takes place at San Jose’s History Park.
Details: The free walk-thru opens Nov. 29 in Plaza de Cesar Chavez and is open from noon to 11 p.m. daily at 1 Paseo de San Antonio. The History Park drive-through runs from Nov. 21 to Jan 1, starting at 5 p.m. at 635 Phelan Ave. Tickets are $25 to $30 per car, and reservations are required; www.christmasinthepark.com
Christmas on a Hill, Morgan Hill
Climb the hill at West Hills Community Church to walk through a dazzling light display with illuminated tunnels, decorated trees and hand-painted, life-sized displays. You can also sit and watch a synchronized musical light display or take in a view of Morgan Hill below while enjoying free popcorn and hot chocolate.
Details: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22. West Hills Community Church, 16695 DeWitt Ave., Morgan Hill; https://www.westhills.org
A man in Santa outfit rides his tricycle with visitors along Christmas Tree Lane on Thompson Avenue in Alameda, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Hundreds of visitors packed the street as more than 50 households display different holiday themes in their 85th anniversary. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Christmas Tree Lane, Alameda
This cooperative effort, put on by more than 50 households, is in its 86th year. Local groups will perform, and kids can drop off letters to Santa in a specially designated mailbox that routes them to the North Pole. Santa also will stop by on certain nights to visit with kids.
Details: 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly, Dec. 1 to 31, 3200 block of Thomson Avenue, between High Street and Fernside Boulevard, Alameda; www.facebook.com/christmastreelane.
Holiday light displays glow at Widmer World in Pleasanton, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. Bob and Susan Widmer, and their son-in-law and daughter Craig and Kimberly Eicher, who live next door, and daughter Kristine Widmer, with the help of other family and friends, created the display in 2000 and receive thousands of visitors each December. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Widmer World, Pleasanton
For more than 30 years, the Widmer family of Pleasanton has presented a popular home display that includes a Big Tree of red and green lights, a giant “Peace on Earth” sign and a tunnel of decorated trees, displays of popular cartoon characters and elaborate arrangements of life-sized Santas, reindeer and snowpeople.
Details: Nightly Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, weather permitting, 3671 Chelsea Court, Pleasanton; http://widmer-world.com
Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari
The Oakland Zoo hosts one of the Bay Area’s most unusual holiday displays, with gorgeous, detailed, larger-than-life animal lanterns arrayed around the zoo’s 525 acres. Visitors can stroll around the zoo and meet magnificent, glowing elephants and giraffes from Africa, pass through a tropical rainforest, time travel back to the age of the dinosaurs, and visit with mountain lions, wolves, polar bears and other iconic North American wildlife.
Details: Open from 5 to 9 p.m. most nights from Nov. 8 through Jan. 26 at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland. Santa will be on hand on Sundays in November and daily Dec. 1-23. Glowfari tickets range from $21 to $39; www.oaklandzoo.org.
Merry Merry-Go-Round, Berkeley
The famous Tilden Park carousel in Berkeley becomes even more of a magical place during the holidays, as it is festooned with bright, colorful lights and graced by visits from Santa and his elves and Olaf the Snowman.
Details: Pending, including information about specific days, times and ticket costs. Tilden Regional Park, at the intersection of Central Park Drive and Lake Anza Road, Berkeley. Find the latest information at https://tildenmerrygoround.org.
LIVERMORE, CA – DECEMBER 7: View of the Christmas lights display at Dave Rezendes’ Casa del Pomba in Livermore, Calif. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. The bright attraction is open to the public every night, free of charge and closes on January first. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Lights of Livermore
Taste some great Livermore wine and enjoy a one-hour trolley ride around Livermore to see the town’s biggest and brightest holiday displays. This includes a stop at Riesling Circle, where more than two dozen homes are elaborately decked out with lights. The trolley rides start at historic Concannon Vineyard, where you can taste a flight of wines before boarding the trolley. There also are trolley rides nightly for families, during which no alcohol is served.
Details: Nightly, Dec. 6 through Dec. 23. Details on how to purchase tickets and costs are pending. 4590 Tesla Road, Livermore; https://www.livermorewinetrolley.com.
Los Gatos’ Fantasy of Lights
The annual show at Vasona Lake County Park offers one of the Bay Area’s most popular drive-through holiday displays, with a 1.5-mile route taking families through a fantasyland of lights, animated figures and a 90-foot twinkling tree, courtesy of the Santa Clara County Parks Department.
Details: In past years, the route started at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Look for dates, times and tickets — which must be purchased ahead — at https://parks.sccgov.org/.
Willow Glen, San Jose
Year after year, residents in a five-block area of this central San Jose neighborhood decorate their homes in their own unique ways, but visitors can expect to find plenty of brightly lit archways, light poles, candy canes, giant snow people and multiple Santas and reindeer. You can go on your own, of course, but San Jose Brew Bike will be taking groups on one-hour tours of the neighborhood’s holiday lights in December via 15-passenger “bicycles.”
Details: Most homes in Willow Glen get their decorations up by the first weekend of December. Streets to visit include Glen Echo, Glen Eyrie, Glen Brook and Cherry avenues, as well as Camino Ramon, Camino Pablo and Camino Ricardo. San Jose Brew Bike tours run from 5:15 to 8:45 p.m. Dec. 3 to 23, with tours running from 5:15 p.m. to 8:45pm. Group tickets are $450 per 15-person group; https://sanjosebrewbike.com.