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Rodeo Drive Will Light Up Nov. 19 as Its Merchants' Committee Turns 50

The free evening celebration runs 5 to 8 p.m. on all three blocks, ends with fireworks, and starts a holiday season of decorations that lasts until Jan. 3.

By the editors of The Beverly Hills Dossier ·

The holiday season in Beverly Hills officially starts on Thursday, Nov. 19, when the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee hold the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s theme, 50 Years of Brilliance, marks the 50th anniversary of the Rodeo Drive Committee, the merchants’ association that has promoted the street since the late 1970s. The Rodeo Drive Committee says the celebration covers all three blocks of Rodeo Drive.

What’s on the program

The city’s announcement lists the following:

  • Host: vocalist, performer and entertainment reporter Ali Ward.
  • Performers: featured vocalist Dani Armstrong; musician Daniel Ho, whom the release describes as a six-time GRAMMY winner, presenting Island Holidays; DJ Lady Sha; and other artists.
  • New this year: the two winners of the first Rodeo Drive Has Talent search, singer-songwriter Ortal Edri and young vocalist Marianna Kriuchenkova, will perform on the holiday stage.
  • The lighting: the Mayor, City Councilmembers and the Rodeo Drive Committee’s executive board will lead a countdown, light the street’s decorations, and set off a fireworks finale.
  • Along the street: wine gardens, food trucks, costumed characters and photo settings. The Rodeo Drive Committee’s listing also mentions Santa Claus arriving.

After the lighting

According to the city, holiday décor will stay up across Beverly Hills through Jan. 3, 2027. Beverly Gardens Park will run a Lights on the Lily Pond show nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held at the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

What it costs the city

In August, a City Council liaison committee reviewed the Rodeo Drive Committee’s plan and budget. The Beverly Hills Courier reported that the proposed city-funded cost was $667,575, out of an estimated $682,575 total, with $15,000 expected from sponsorships. A separate $42,875 rain contingency was not part of that request. The final adopted figures may differ, and we’ll update this story if the city publishes them.

Getting there

Rodeo Drive runs through the Golden Triangle between Wilshire Boulevard and Little Santa Monica Boulevard. Expect heavy crowds and plan to arrive early. Street closures and parking details for the night hadn’t been published when this was written. We’ll add them once the city posts them.