Sundar Shadi Holiday Display

This gentleman was everything that is good. I am thrilled that his spirit continues to live. His display is great but the man himself & the spirit is much more important. This is a must see but the human story is far bigger.

I ‘m not sure what’s more fascinating: The rebirth of the town of Bethlehem on the top of a hill in El Cerrito, or the story of the man, who wasn’t even Christian, who created and maintained it for 50 years.
I guess it doesn’t matter; I enjoy seeing it on cold December nights.

Thank you everyone who supports this year after year. The soroptimists, the City, Everyone. The display is tucked away but will be back again next Christmas. Have a happy New Year!

Seeing this display year after year simply makes me smile — particularly this year when the holidays otherwise snuck up on me. [Although per my other reviews, I have in vain tried to get the Unilocal review name changed to the «Sundar Shadi Holiday Display» — which it is technically called].

Ditto to everything Anne K., Toni M., and others say about Mr. Shadi’s proud legacy. I still remember watching old guy carefully tending to his flock on the hillside where this Display used to reside. And I continue to be impressed on how this Tzadik’s efforts live on through others who are similarly inspired.
In addition, if you happened to drive towards Moeser via Kensington, there were some pretty impressive home lighting displays along the way. There was one just past Arlington Circle that was amazing. Then once past the Kensington Village Centre, Santa, Snowmen and other holiday cheer were waiting to dazzle for those who just enjoyed driving around and taking it all in.

Each year my wife and I make a pilgrimage to see this display. The handmade decorations fill about an acre and provide a unique look into the life of one man and the community that has embraced him. The faithful, loving and tireless work of volunteers keeps this unique folk art alive as well as preserve hope for cooperation between people and peace on earth. Take a moment to stop by if you can and enjoy this display.
My wife and I made a video about the various Christmas displays in El Cerrito, highlighting this particular one at the end. You can see it on YouTube.

It’s all set up for this year and people are already stopping by. That means drive carefully when driving up or down Moeser after dark because people may not be paying attention when crossing the street.
My friend Jen K. informed me that the link in the old review no longer works, so here’s the historical information again, although Michelle W. gives good historical background in her review as well:
Please note that the display is no longer on the Arlington north of Moeser but on the north side of Moeser itself, adjacent to the Hillside Recreation area. It’s above the two schools at the base of the hill.
Hope this gives you some of the information about it.

I see Toni M. has given you the links to history, but I thought I would include a brief bit here.
A very nice Sikh man, Mr. Shadi, moved to El Cerrito back in the day. He was so impressed with the warm welcome he received that at Christmas time he put a star up in his yard as a thank you to everyone who had welcomed him. Over the years the star somehow grew into an amazing nativity scene that covered 2/​3rds of a tripple lot where he lived. Years ago (when they were in high school) my uncles helped him put the things out. When he passed on, his children sold the property and gave the nativity scene to the city of El Cerrito, who now put it up on the empty hillside along Moeser.
It is a little harder to see there than it had been on his property on the Arlington, but is still well worth it. It has every possible compenent of the traditional Nativity, plus a plethora of other things that Shadi collected over the years. It is charming and inspiring. My family used to make an annual pilgrimmage here every year. We should get back into that tradition.