Let it GLOW, Let it GLOW, Let it GLOW
Holiday lights are burning bright in spite of the pandemic blight
Every year since 1992, Alex Dourov has joined a rare class of Bay Area enthusiasts who create bright, brilliant and over-the-top displays of holidays lights at their homes or in their neighborhoods.
Dourov still plans to go over-the-top this year at his Livermore home. He wants to give his East Bay community something to be cheerful about at the end of an otherwise grim 2020, overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We not only want to bring back a sense of normalcy, but to ramp it up a bit,” says Dourov, who is modifying his show to promote outdoor safety in line with Alameda
County public health guidelines. “There are so many concessions we’ve all had to make the past eight months.”
His sentiment is widely shared. The founder of the popular California Christmas Lights website, Dourov says owners of the vast majority of the 350 homes listed on his site have said they are sticking with the decorating traditions beloved by their families, their neighbors and, in some cases, their entire towns.
The properties, neighborhoods, parks, gardens and public spaces showcased here plan to go forward with their popular annual displays — with coronavirus safety concerns, of course, in mind. Visitors will be reminded to wear masks, when necessary, and maintain social distance. The grand Filoli estate in Woodside has extended its hours so guests can space out the timing of their visits, while other locations, such as San Jose’s Christmas in the Park, pivot to drive-through events.
“People need something cool to see this year,” says J.R. Mattos, who is engineering Christmas in the Park’s move from its longtime walk-through display downtown to a mile-long car route through spacious History Park.
“The synchronized pixel light show will be the biggest expansion to Christmas in the Park in 40 years,” Mattos says. “We’re basically doubling the size of Christmas in the Park.”
Mattos is wearing both public and private hats as an illumination impresario this season. As in years past, Mattos and his family will transform their San Jose apricot orchard into a winter wonderland that is expected to be so grand, it will be featured on the ABC reality TV show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”
Sadly, not every homeowner or public venue wanted to go through with a light show during the pandemic. Notably, Deacon Dave Rezendes announced he was cancelling his Casa del Pomba, or “House of the Dove,” display at his Livermore home, which has been a Bay Area tradition for more
than 35 years. Bob Widmer also decided to cancel the “Widmer World” display at his Pleasanton home, where crowds were invited to walk around his property, including into his back yard.
But more than 70 homes in a north Fremont neighborhood will go forward with their annual “Crippsmas Place” display — on lanes and cul de sacs, including Cripps Place, hence the name — which also raises funds for local nonprofits. Resident Kate Amon, the president of their Crippsmas Place organization, says organizers have been working with police and city officials on making safety modifications, which include forgoing carolers, candy-cane handouts and a crowd-mingling Santa.
Dourov will block off his driveway to prevent crowds from congregating there, and he’s reworked his display so guests can’t push buttons to move certain figures or get dusted with faux snow. But from the sidewalk or their cars, visitors can still see signs blazing with “Noel” and “Peace on Earth” and twinkling figures of candy canes, nutcrackers and reindeer in his front yard.
Dourov is on several national Facebook groups for enthusiasts
Above: At Ruth Bancroft Garden's “Garden of d'lights,” plants are illuminated in fantastical ways with specially programmed lasers and thousands of LED lights. COURTESY OF KELLEY LOTOSKY
Left: Alex Dourov, the founder of the California Christmas Lights website, goes all out on his holiday display each year. COURTESY OF ALEX DOUROV
who like to share tips on how to build intricate displays. This year, they’re also discussing ways to keep their displays safe. But Dourov said the overall sentiment remains: “Everyone says they are doing more and offering bigger shows to give people something to look forward to.”
The nine Bay Area homes, neighborhoods and venues in this sampling have announced they are offering dazzling light displays this season. Unless otherwise indicated, you can visit most of these nightly, after sundown and at no cost.
1. ALEX DOUROV’S KNOTTINGHAM CIRCLE EXTRAVAGANZA
The show by the founder of California Christmas Lights offers a mix of old-school decorations that he’s accumulated over the past 28 years and high-tech lightand-sound effects that he continues to update. Guests can listen to music from the sidewalk or on 107.9 FM from their car.
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 28 through the end of the year at 467 Knottingham Circle in Livermore; http:// californiachristmaslights.com.
2. MATTOS ORCHARD LIGHTS
More than 90,000 LED lights will cover 30,000-square-feet of apricot trees in the Mattos family’s San Jose orchard. The winter wonderland theme continues with a display of falling snow, Santa and his reindeer flying off a roof, a candy shop and toy soldiers guarding the North Pole.
When and where: 5 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 29 to Jan. 1 at 1545 Stone Creek Drive in San Jose; www.facebook.com/ Mattosorchardlights/.
3. CRIPPSMAS PLACE
For nearly 60 years, residents in this north Fremont neighborhood have lit up their yards, raised larger-than-life plywood cutouts of favorite cartoon characters and used the show to raise money for worthy causes. People from outside the neighborhood are encouraged to drive in, and everyone can donate either in person or via Paypal to six organizations, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and local groups that support families, foster children, wildlife and breast cancer support services.
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. from Dec. 14 to Dec. 25 on Nicolet Avenue, Cripps Place and surrounding streets in Fremont; www.crippsmasplace.org.
4. HISTORIC ESTATE LIGHTS IN WOODSIDE
The century-old Filoli estate in Woodside is expanding its hours this season, with the stately mansion and world-renowned, English country-inspired gardens open daily and nightly through January. The ballrooms and other rooms in the mansion feature elegantly decorated Christmas trees, but what’s especially magical at Filoli are the lights arrayed around the extensive garden, where Santa will be available for socially distanced selfies. You can also take a break by visiting a new outdoor holiday bar set up in the Woodland Garden Court. The bar serves wine, beer and cocktails, as well as warmed mulled wine, spiced cider and hot chocolate.
When and where: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with evening hours and separate admission from 4 to 8 p.m., Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 at 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. Filoli will be closed on Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Admission is $15-$38, https://filoli.org.
5. SAN JOSE’S CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
Moving to the 14-acre History Park means San Jose’s holiday
tradition can become a safe, drive-through experience. Visitors will still see favorite displays — and Santa will be there — but the show, engineered by local illumination engineer J.R. Mattos, will incorporate spectacular new light-and-sound effects, including a “snow tunnel.” Reservations and tickets are required in advance. When and where: 4 to 10 p.m. daily from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3 at History Park, at the corner of Senter Road and Phelan Avenue in San Jose. Tickets are $10 per car from 4 to 5 p.m. and $20 per car after 6 p.m.; www. christmasinthepark.com.
6. OAKLAND ZOOLIGHTS “GLOWFARI”
The Oakland Zoo has always hosted one of the Bay Area’s most unusual holiday displays. This year, the zoo presents “Glowfari,” featuring larger-than-life animal lanterns. Families can take a socially distanced stroll to meet magnificent, glowing elephants, giraffes and a 15-foot-tall penguin. Proceeds from Glowfari help the zoo’s operating expenses, which were affected by its closure from March to July. When and where: 5:30 to 9 p.m. from Dec. 6 through Jan. 5 (closed Dec. 24 and 25) at 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland. Admission is $11-$12; www.oaklandzoo.org.
7. LOS GATOS’ FANTASY OF LIGHTS
The Santa Clara County Parks Department has canceled the walk-through option for this beloved show at Vasona Lake County Park, but families can still enjoy a 1.5-mile drive through a fantasy land with lights, animated figures and a 90-foot twinkling tree. When and where: From 6 to 10 p.m. nightly from Dec. 4 to 30 (closed Dec. 25). The route starts at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Find information about ticket prices and reservations, which must be made in advance, at the parks department website, www.parkhere.org.
8. LIGHTS IN THE CACTI
The Ruth Bancroft Garden’s world-famous collection of unique and gorgeous cacti and other succulents and drought-tolerant plants is presented in, well, a new light. For “Garden of d’lights,” visitors can socially distance as they meander along the paths of the 3.5-acre garden in Walnut Creek, where plants are illuminated in fantastical ways with specially programmed lasers and thousands of LED lights. When and where: 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from Nov. 20 through Dec. 20 at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $8-$20 and must be purchased ahead; www.ruthbancroftgarden. org/lights2020.
9. SAN MATEO COUNTY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Sound technicians, lighting designers, event producers and many others are working together to put on a drive-through show at the San Mateo County Event Center. Visitors can cruise through a mile of interactive displays, arts installations and larger-than-life candy lands. Producers say the show will offer families and small groups a fun, safe way to celebrate the holidays, while putting hundreds of people to work in economic hard times. When and where: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27 through Dec. 20 at 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo; Information about tickets and reservations, which must be made in advance, are pending.
Above: The Oakland Zoo presents “Glowfari,” featuring larger-thanlife animal lanterns. OAKLAND ZOO Left: Santa shooting hoops and a ship firing cannons are displayed at the Fantasy of Lights holiday light show at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. LIPO CHING/ STAFF ARCHIVES