Bufkin Christmas Wonderland celebrates its last year of holiday cheer

Bufkin Christmas Wonderland officially opened its doors Nov. 24 to kick off its final holiday season in Pasadena.

Sherry and Roy Bufkin are celebrating 25 years of hosting a 185,000 Christmas lights display. The couple started offering public tours of their house in 1992 when their lights display caught the attention of people passing by.

Bufkin Christmas Wonderland offers tours from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 27. Admission is free, but they accept donations. Bufkin Christmas Wonderland is located at 2731 Lilac, Pasadena, Texas 77503.

The Bufkins youngest daughter started the tradition when she wanted some Christmas lights out in the front yard. Every year the Bufkins added more and more until the front and the backyard were completely filled with lights.

“That’s when people from the beltway could see it and would come knocking on our door, so we decided to just open up,” said Roy Bufkin. “We were just going to do it for just a couple of years, and we have had it open for 25 years.”

Since its first opening, Bufkin Christmas Wonderland has had 337,031 visitors stop by and sign the guest register book.

“Never in a million years did we ever think that it would get this big,” said Sherry Bufkin. “When we started getting 1,000 people a night on weekends, we thought this is ‘really crazy.’ There were some nights a couple of years ago, we had 2,000 a night.”

Every year around Oct. 1 and spends seven to eight weeks assembling the lights and decorations, Roy Bufkin sets up most of the lights with the assistance of his family, friends and volunteers from LifeBridge Baptist Church.

The display spreads throughout the home and is more than just lights as the couple has been collecting Christmas items for more than 30 years.

The displays start in the front yard, continue into the house and extends all the way to the backyard. When people walk inside, one of the first things they see is a four-table display featuring an elaborate train set, Santa Claus figurines and a Christmas village. Outside, every tree, fence board, post and even the pool is outlined with lights and garlands. There is also an opportunity for children to take pictures with Santa for a small fee.

During the holiday season, families from all over Texas travel to see the display. Throughout the years, the Bufkin Christmas Wonderland has provided the setting for multiple marriage proposals and has even hosted three weddings.

“It has become such a tradition for so many people and a tradition for us,” said Sherry. “This is our last year, and over the years, we have watched kids grow up, and now they are bringing their kids. It has turned into something special.”

Gayle Hart and her family have been visiting the Bufkin Christmas Wonderland every year for the last 24 years.

“It’s a huge family tradition for us to get hot chocolate and to go drive around to look at Christmas lights,” Hart said. “My oldest is 30 now, and we have been going every year since he was 6 years old. Now I take my 8-year-old son and his friends. [The Bufkins] have affected generations of people in a positive manner. Three generations in my family: myself, my kids and my grandkids.”

After 25 years, the Bufkins agreed that this year was a good time to stop. Although the ending is bittersweet, the couple is excited about next year because they can finally leave their home to travel and see other people’s Christmas light displays.

“There are a lot of mixed emotions,” said Charlie Ellison, LifeBridge Baptist Church pastor. “We are happy it’s over with, but there was a lot of joy. The best part was the children; seeing the joy on the children’s faces.”

For more information, visit their Facebook page or call the Bufkins at (281) 998-7677.