Thousands of residents and visitors gathered on Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle on Nov. 13 to celebrate the opening of the holiday season with the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration.
The event, organized by the Rodeo Drive Committee and the city of Beverly Hills, included two hours of performances on a main stage, food trucks lining the streets, festive light and sculpture displays and a fireworks finale.
This year’s theme was “Enchanted Holiday Dreams,” inspired by Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Decorations up and down Rodeo Drive gave nods to the famous ballet, including oversized nutcrackers operated by puppeteers and large silver sculptures of ballerinas dancing next to piles of gifts.
Actors dressed as mice roamed the closed-off street in costume, posing for pictures with attendees. Stilt performers also made their way up and down the road, stopping periodically for photo opportunities.
Rain was predicted for the evening, but the weather stayed dry until near the end of the event. Instead, the skies were cool and clear as attendees of all ages, many with children in strollers or pets dressed in their holiday finest, took in the sights and sounds while staying warm in heavy coats and sweaters.
Throughout the night, lines grew long for food trucks that sold, among other gastronomic delights, barbecue, Maine lobster, mini-donuts, cakes, burgers and French fries.
The evening’s performances took place on an open-air stage that was set up for the occasion at the corner of Rodeo Drive and Brighton Way. Emceed by Los Angeles-based singer Kara Freeman, the show featured over a dozen world-class performers.
Warming up the crowd, which was packed into the intersection of the two streets, Freeman, dressed in a red A-line dress trimmed with fluffy white fabric and snowflake designs, performed “Santa Baby” backed by a barbershop quartet, followed shortly thereafter by “Christmas is Here Again.”
After a high-energy performance by a quartet of carolers, Freeman introduced the USC Trojan Dance Force, noting that Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian is an alumna of the university. The team of young women got the crowd cheering with their lively pom routines choreographed to “Last Christmas,” “Jingle Bells Rock” and the Trojan fight song, “Fight On!”
Dancers from Westside Ballet, who ranged in age from 10 to 16, performed three dances from The Nutcracker’s “Land of Sweets”: Peppermint Candy (Act II), Chinese Tea (Act II) and the Doll Solo segment from the Party Scene (Act I).
The experience was extraordinary, said 14-year-old Chloe Meyers of Beverly Hills, who performed in the Peppermint Candy dance.
“I had an amazing time being backstage, seeing all the different acts up close, and getting ready for the show with my fellow ballerinas who have become my closest friends,” she said. “It felt so special to be part of the festivities, and we definitely spread the Nutcracker magic all around Beverly Hills. It was one of those nights that felt exciting and festive from start to finish.”
Delilah Ahmadi, 15, performed in the Peppermint Candy and Chinese Tea dances and called the experience “unforgettable.”
“I’ve attended the Tree Lighting for several years as my mom works for the city, and Beverly Hills has always felt like my second home,” she said. “I used to stand in the crowd in awe of the magnificent dancers on stilts and imagine what it would be like to be on that stage. Stepping out under those glowing holiday lights, in front of thousands of people gathered in the heart of a place I’ve grown up around, felt surreal.”
In a surprise appearance following The Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s stellar performance of the “Candy Canes” dance from The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, legendary director, performer, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen stepped onstage to applaud her dancers and rally support for the academy.
Other performers included Broadway star Chris Mann, jazz vocalist James Tormé, Australian actor and singer Hugh Sheridan and guzheng musician Bei Bei.
Halfway through the show, Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian was joined onstage by members of the City Council, the Rodeo Drive Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the Conference and Visitors Bureau.
Speaking to the crowd, Nazarian thanked the event organizers and sponsors.
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome you to this fantastic holiday tradition right here on the iconic Rodeo Drive in beautiful Beverly Hills,” she said. “I want you to make sure to walk around. There are so many different installations all throughout the city … we want to invite you to eat, shop, dine, stay and enjoy in Beverly Hills.”
During a preview performance of “Soul of the Holidays,” which will be held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 15 to benefit the victims of the Eaton Fire, three singers performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!” and “Reach Out” as the crowd danced and sang along.
The drizzle that began around 7:30 p.m. did not hamper the fireworks display, which exploded in rainbow colors above the shops of Rodeo Drive shortly after 8 p.m.
