Every November, Beverly Hills ushers in the holiday season by hosting the Holiday Lighting Celebration on Rodeo Drive, bathing the city in twinkling festive lights at the push of a button. The 2021 kickoff ceremony is scheduled to take place on Nov. 18, from 5-8 p.m., encompassing all three blocks of Rodeo Drive. At its Aug. 30 meeting, City Council Liaisons Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse enthusiastically reviewed the Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee’s proposal for this year’s festivities. Those plans include fireworks, three stages with coordinated and choreographed performances every 15 minutes; live models available for photo opportunities; stilt performers; food trucks with Kosher and Vegan options; a beer and wine garden; holiday helpers on bicycles handing out candy and ornaments; break-dancers; music and Santa Claus in a red sports car. The city-sponsored holiday program is free to partake in and open to the public.
In years past, the lighting ceremony has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 people. Currently, gatherings of that size are classified by Public Health as mega events, and require all attendees to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. To help accommodate these guidelines, the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) will be handing out custom branded face coverings with a clear center.
