Beverly Hills will kick off its holiday season on Thursday, November 13, with the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, a gathering that draws thousands of residents, visitors, and families to the iconic shopping district. This year’s theme, “Enchanted Holiday Dreams,” takes inspiration from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, bringing ballet-inspired installations, sparkling lights, and festive color across the famed boulevard.
Mayor Sharona Nazarian called the celebration “one of our community’s most cherished traditions,” noting that the event unites people of all ages. “As Rodeo Drive sparkles with lights, fireworks fill the sky, and music fills the air, we’re reminded of the spirit that connects us,” she said.
This year’s lineup features a strong roster of performers, including Billboard-charting artist Chris Mann, Australian singer and actor Hugh Sheridan, jazz vocalist James Tormé, and acclaimed guzheng musician Bei Bei. Additional performances will come from the Westside School of Ballet, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, USC Trojan Dance Force, and several local choirs and musicians.
The event remains free and open to the public, with food trucks, wine gardens, costumed performers, and interactive holiday characters providing entertainment throughout the evening. The night concludes with a community countdown, the official illumination of Rodeo Drive, and a fireworks finale.
The celebration returns one year after a violent 2024 carjacking crash disrupted the holiday lighting event. A suspect in a stolen SUV lost control and struck four pedestrians, including Russell Stuart, now a BHUSD Board of Education member, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. Reports say Stuart suffered multiple broken bones, including fractures to both arms, shoulders, hand, elbow, ribs, and other serious injuries.
Holiday festivities across Beverly Hills will extend through January 4, including the Beverly Hills Jolly Trolley, Lights on the Lily Pond at Beverly Gardens Park, Glowing Gardens at Beverly Canon Gardens, Holidays at Greystone, and the city’s annual Menorah Lighting.
More information and a full calendar of events are available at beverlyhills.org/holidaysbh.
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