The Rodeo Drive holiday lighting ceremony included an
appearance by Santa Claus and a fireworks finale. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

Beverly Hills officially rang in the holidays on Nov. 14 with its annual holiday lighting ceremony on Rodeo Drive. More than 8,000 people attended the celebration, which included musical performances, holiday-themed entertainment – including candy cane street sweepers, nutcracker stilts and roller-skaters – and a fireworks show grand finale.

Each year, Downtown Beverly Hills lives up to its “Golden Triangle” nickname as it is illuminated in thousands of holiday lights between November and January. To kick off the holiday season, the lights are officially turned on at the lighting celebration each year. This year’s theme is “Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights,” an homage to the world-renowned street where the event is hosted.

Musical performers included The Red Hot Band, BlueGrass Strings, Holiday Harmony Carolers, a Yuletide Irish dance ensemble, UCLA a capella group the ScatterTones, the Beverly Hills High School Drumline, NBC “Songland” winner Greg Scott and “American Idol” finalist Vonzell Solomon.

Guests also enjoyed two wine gardens and food and beverages from 208 Rodeo, a local restaurant specializing in California cuisine.

“The Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebration was a dazzling family friendly evening,” Rodeo Drive Committee President Kay Monica Rose said. “There were over 9,000 at this year’s event. Against the backdrop of the world’s leading fashion houses and brands, the iconic street is dressed in awe inspiring vintage ornaments. Even the palm trees and rose bushes are embellished with sparkling lights. The street was alive with wonder and our custom holiday decoration will be on Rodeo through Jan. 5.”

“The holiday season is truly one of the most memorable times of the year,” Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman said. “We can all come together as family, friends and neighbors to celebrate a little happiness during a time when we need a little light in our lives as we see some of the darkest events occurring throughout our world.”

The event was hosted by the Rodeo Drive Committee in collaboration with the city of Beverly Hills. Friedman, Rose and members of the Beverly Hills City Council, Rodeo Drive Committee, Chamber of Commerce and Conference and Visitors Bureau joined together onstage to welcome Santa Claus and count down to the illumination.

The lights will remain on display throughout the Golden Triangle until Jan. 5, 2025. Additionally, Beverly Cañon Gardens Park, located at 241 N. Cañon Drive, will host a “Glowing Gardens” holiday display which includes tree ornament sculptures. Beverly Gardens Park, located at 9439 Santa Monica Blvd., will host a “Lights on the Lily Pond” show every 15 minutes between 6-9:30 p.m. Greystone Mansion and Gardens, located at 905 Loma Vista Drive, will host a family friendly holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.