The Sundar Shadi Holiday Display, a cherished El Cerrito treasure, showcases over 500 pieces hand-crafted and collected by the late Sundar Shadi, a long-time resident.
It all began in 1949 when Mr. Shadi placed a large star in the yard next to his home on Arlington Boulevard during the holiday season. He then began creating a holiday scene that could represent the viewpoints of many religions. Mr. Shadi made people and animals out of plaster over wood frames covered in chicken wire.
Over the years, Mr. Shadi amassed a collection that included: three “wise men” seated on large camels, a “Town of Bethlehem” with numerous dwellings, spires and minarets, a group of men who are displayed seated around a campfire, as well as a shepherd and his flock of more than 60 sheep. When the collection is displayed, a large lighted star hangs over the town and an angel watches over the whole scene.
From 1950 through the late 1990s, the Sundar Shadi Holiday Display stood next to Mr. Shadi’s house at 944 Arlington. After he died in 2002, the El Cerrito Soroptimists purchased the collection in order to preserve it for the community.
A group of dedicated volunteers now cares for the collection. They meet throughout the year to repair broken figures, paint sheep, replace donkey tails and manes, and plan the annual display in December.
The Shadi Holiday Display is now set up each December in the open space on Moeser Lane (at Seaview). Lights are on and music plays nightly from 5 to 7 pm. Volunteer “shepherds” (or docents) are also available to greet visitors and answer questions.
Step back in time with this footage from 1984. Watch Sundar Shadi show how he puts up the display. Hear his voice, see the original site on the Arlington.
Barbara S.
I’ve lived 2 miles from Mr. Shadi’s house since 1981. I have fond memories of walking by his home while he was out watering (by hand- no sprinkler system as far as I could see) his beautiful flower carpets. I told him how much I enjoyed his flowers and his wonderful Christmas display. He seemed very humble , but truly appreciative of my compliments. It’s nice that the City of El Cerrito still has his display on Moeser Lane during the holidays.
Barbara S.
Peggy P.
I used to love to drive by his house and look at his beautiful garden. Then at Christmas time my friends and I would sing Christmas carols as all the cars drove by. Wonderful memories!!!
Peggy P.
Gwendolyn M
I always loved driving by to see the flowers and holiday decorations.
Gwendolyn M.
Keith L.
LOVED his floral displays every year – my grandmother LOVED to see them and Christmas, she would plan her visits from Fresno around those displays! Somewhere I have old photos of some of his displays, little faded, but they bring back memories.
Keith L.
Anton M.
I remember Christmases where the police had to control traffic going by his house! His Halloween display was great also. But in terms of sheer work, the Persian carpets he made from annuals such as allysum and lobelia were astounding! I asked him how many plants he used to make the several carpets and he told me “33,000!” He was a wonderful, kind, and generous man as I remember him. I believe that he worked for the U.N. in some cultural promotion capacity. He gave so many of us so much joy!