The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration returns on Thursday, November 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. It is free, it covers all three blocks of Rodeo Drive, and this year's theme is "50 Years of Brilliance." The lighting itself lasts three hours. According to the City of Beverly Hills announcement, the décor it switches on stays up across the city through January 3, 2027. Most of the events on the city's schedule for those weeks are a few blocks from Rodeo, in Beverly Gardens Park, at Beverly Canon Gardens, on Civic Center Drive and up the hill at Greystone.
What the Fifty Years Refers To
The 50 refers to the Rodeo Drive Committee, which has looked after the street for five decades, according to the release from the City and the Committee. Kathy Gohari, the Committee's president, traced the idea back to its founder in the City's release:
"Fifty years ago, Fred Hayman understood that Rodeo Drive could be much more than a shopping destination — it could be an experience that captures the imagination of the world."
The program reflects the anniversary. International vocalist and entertainment reporter Ali Ward hosts. Dani Armstrong headlines as vocalist, six-time GRAMMY winner Daniel Ho presents "Island Holidays," and DJ Lady Sha is on the bill. Two performers came out of the Committee's first Rodeo Drive Has Talent open call: Los Angeles singer-songwriter Ortal Edri and Marianna Kriuchenkova, an eight-year-old vocalist. Wine gardens and food trucks will line the street, and costumed characters will be out among the crowd. The evening ends with a countdown, and then the Mayor, City Councilmembers and the Committee's executive board press the button that starts the fireworks.
The theme changes every year. The 2025 celebration took place on November 13, with a Nutcracker-inspired "Enchanted Holiday Dreams" theme, ballerina figures and white rose bushes. This year's design, the Beverly Hills Courier reported in July, draws on the street's 50th anniversary.
Love Beverly Hills notes that the city's public parking structures offer two hours free, which covers most of the 5-to-8 window. Vicky on Rodeo works well before the countdown. The Courier's September dining roundup describes it as an all-day Parisian brasserie at Two Rodeo Drive. It sits at the top of the steps next to Tiffany & Co., with a terrace that looks out on the Beverly Wilshire, and it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The menu runs from onion soup and croque monsieur to steak frites and oysters.
After the Fireworks, the Lights Move to the Parks
Two installations carry the season on after November 19, and both are open more hours than the lighting itself. Lights on the Lily Pond at Beverly Gardens Park runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Glowing Gardens at Beverly Canon Gardens, with a very large Christmas tree and an oversized ornament, is open daily from 5 to 11 p.m. That is six hours every night at Canon Gardens, against three hours on one Thursday on Rodeo Drive.
Beverly Gardens Park also hosts the city's other holiday ceremony. The annual Menorah Lighting Celebration will be held there on Monday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. with the City Council, to honor the Jewish Festival of Lights. Before the decorations go up, the Lily Pond is also the meeting point for the city's Beverly Hills Artwalk Guided Tours. The City's November calendar lists them on Sundays, November 8 and November 22, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., starting at Beverly Gardens Park, 9439 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Sunday Mornings on Civic Center Drive
The Beverly Hills Farmers' Market stays on its regular schedule through November, every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 9300 block of Civic Center Drive. Two of those Sundays have extra events.
- Sunday, November 8: The free Shredding, Compost and Pumpkin Recycling Event runs at the market from 8 a.m. to noon, which is the city's set day for leftover jack-o'-lanterns.
- Sunday, November 22: The annual Holiday Craft Fair opens at 8 a.m. with artisan vendors, holiday gifts and a Gingerbread House Contest with categories for adults and youth.
On both Sundays, the Artwalk tour starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Lily Pond. On the 22nd, that means the craft fair, the art tour and a Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concert at The Wallis that evening all fall on one day within walking distance of each other.
The Wallis Fills the Weeknights
The Wallis has shows on nearly every week of the month, which makes it the place in town for an evening out while the lights are up.
| Date | Program at The Wallis |
|---|---|
| Nov. 6 to 22 | Radio Galaxy |
| Nov. 12 | Las Migas, flamenco |
| Nov. 15 | LA Opera: Jamie Barton |
| Nov. 18 | Naghash Ensemble |
| Nov. 21 | Manual Cinema Presents: Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster |
| Nov. 22 | Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra: Ruo, Bates, Noone, Schoenberg |
| Dec. 5 | Sandra Bernhard: Caught Off Guard |
| Dec. 6 | LACO: Vivaldi's Venice |
The Naghash Ensemble plays the night before the lighting. The run of Radio Galaxy covers the lighting week and ends the same Sunday as the craft fair.
Greystone Opens the Doors at Both Ends
Greystone Mansion & Gardens, at 905 Loma Vista Drive, has events at the start and end of the season. On Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the City's Inside the Mansion event opens the mansion's interior to visitors.
In December the mansion hosts the annual Holidays at Greystone on two weekends, from 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus, marionettes and live caroling. Most of the city's other December events fall on or between those two weekends:
- Saturday, December 5: Holidays at Greystone opens. Sandra Bernhard is at The Wallis that evening.
- Sunday, December 6: Greystone continues. LACO performs Vivaldi's Venice at The Wallis.
- Monday, December 7: The Menorah Lighting Celebration takes place at Beverly Gardens Park at 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12: Holidays at Greystone returns for its second weekend.
- Sunday, December 13: Greystone's last day. The same morning, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Santa Paws Yappy Hour at the Beverly Hills Community Dog Park offers socializing and photos with Santa.
City Hall is closed on Veterans Day, November 11, and on Thanksgiving and the day after, November 26 and 27. The Farmers' Market keeps its Sunday schedule through November 29.
If you are timing a sale, a lease or a move around this calendar, or just want a sense of how the season affects your own block, Jennifer Purdue is happy to talk it through in confidence. Book an appointment at a time that works for you.
