Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee are holding the star-studded Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on Nov. 16 with music, fireworks and a visit from Santa Claus. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

The city of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee will hold the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 5-8 p.m. featuring a special performance by Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Continuing a holiday tradition on Rodeo Drive, thousands are expected to gather on the iconic luxury fashion street to be among the first to see this year’s holiday lights and décor, themed “Up, Up & Away Holiday!” Elements of hot-air balloons and holiday gifts wrapped in silver, blue, red and white will adorn the street’s center median under the sparkle of palm trees embellished with dripping lights. The festival welcomes the magic and adventure of the holidays to Beverly Hills.

“Our Holiday Lighting Celebration is an opportunity for us to come together, recognize how fortunate we are and begin this year’s holiday season – a celebration of our city and a hopeful beginning for the new year,” Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold said. “At the same time, we recognize the impact of world events and our thoughts are with those here and abroad as we approach the holiday season. We hope they can find a sense of hopefulness and strength as we all overcome darkness with light.”

“The reveal of this year’s decor themed ‘Up, Up and Away Holiday!’ celebrates the start of the holiday season and brings together our community and visitors on Rodeo Drive,” said Kay Monica Rose, president of the Rodeo Drive Committee. “We are delighted to welcome Sheryl Lee Ralph to our iconic street, where each magical encounter promises to be a gift, unwrapping our hopes and dreams for everyone.”

Three stages along the iconic street will feature performances including sets from The Wallis’s critically acclaimed theatrical experience “Love Actually Live” inspired by the 2003 classic holiday film written and directed by Richard Curtis. The Maccabeats, a Jewish a cappella group, will also perform, as well as L.A.-based Bollywood dance sensation Nazara, Broadway singer and actor Terron Brooks, former American Idol contestant Vonzell Solomon, L.A.-based Cajon drummer Nick Adams, the Holiday Rhythm Tappers, the Four Parts Barbershop Quartet, Winter Wonderland Carolers and DJ Z. The Holiday Helpers will also perform “Shopper’s Delight,” a bold and colorful dance set.

Gold and members of the City Council will countdown the crowd and illuminate Rodeo Drive’s center median. Santa Claus, led by the Beverly Hills High School Marching Band, will arrive on a Beverly Hills fire truck amid a spectacular fireworks finale.

The holiday festivities will continue across the city through Jan. 1, with installations available for nightly viewing. They include “Glowing Gardens,” which features giant tree and ornament sculptures at Beverly Cañon Gardens park; the “Lights on the Lily Pond” show at Beverly Gardens Park, which takes place every 15 minutes from 6-9:30 p.m.; and the “Unwrap the Magic” projection show, viewable nightly every half hour from 6-9:30 p.m. on the Beverly Hills City Hall Tower, at North Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive.

The city will have its historic trolley car adorned with holiday garland and nicknamed the “Jolly Trolley” for the holiday season running to take visitors to the “Unwrap the Magic” projection show every Thursday through Sunday from 6-9 p.m. (excluding holidays) from stops at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way and Crescent Drive and North Santa Monica Boulevard. A family friendly holiday celebration for children of all ages will be held on Dec. 2-3 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Greystone Mansion and Gardens, 905 Loma Vista Drive.

For information about holiday events in Beverly Hills, visit beverlyhills.org/holidaysbh.