On Sept. 28, the seventh annual NEXT NIGHT Festival brought an estimated 5,000 people from all generations of the community together for an evening of food and activities. This year’s electric carnival theme came to life with rides, game booths and live music as the sun went down on South Beverly Drive between Gregory Way and Charleville Boulevard. The festival was hosted by the Next Beverly Hills Committee, which represents the next generation of Beverly Hills, but it incorporated fun for all ages, including a performance by the English ‘80s band Bow Wow Wow and a beer garden in the middle of the block.
The event was free to attend, and residents came and went at their own pace, some taking a stroll down the street and others making an evening of it. As the sunset, more people arrived, and the festival started to feel more like a giant block party. Parents helped their children to a slice of pizza and couples served themselves at a sidewalk taco station. City staff mingled with residents as they danced to ABBA tribute band, The Fabba Show. Beverly Hills Unified School District students caught up with teachers and staff at their schools’ booths and had a chance to connect outside of the classroom.
