BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee revealed details for the upcoming annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration to take place on Thursday, November 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring a special live performance by Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Ralph is known for her work on the ABC comedy “Abbott Elementary” where she recently won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. She also appeared on the comedy series “Moesha” co-starring with singer and actress Brandy Norwood.
There will be lights on the palm trees, rose bushes and much more for the holidays.
“Our Holiday Lighting Celebration is an opportunity for us to come together, recognize how fortunate we are, and begin this year’s holiday season – a celebration of our City and a hopeful beginning for the New Year,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Dr. Julian A Gold. “At the same time, we recognize the impact of world events and our thoughts are with those here and abroad as we approach the holiday season. We hope they can find a sense of hopefulness and strength as we all overcome darkness with light.”
“The reveal of this year’s decor themed Up Up and Away Holiday! celebrates the start of the holiday season and brings together our community and visitors on Rodeo Drive. We are delighted to welcome Sheryl Lee Ralph to our iconic street, where each magical encounter promises to be a gift, unwrapping our hopes and dreams for everyone,” said Kay Monica Rose, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee.
There will be three stages on Rodeo Drive with performances from The Wallis’s critically-acclaimed theatrical experience “LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE” inspired by the 2003 holiday film written and directed by Richard Curtis, by cast members B. Slade, the two-time Emmy Award-winner and four-time Grammy-nominee and Madison Taylor Baez, who at 12-years old earned the “America’s Got Talent” Season 17 golden buzzer with her soulful voice, and there will be songs from The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA).
The evening’s entertainment will also include performances by The Maccabeats, a Jewish a cappella phenomenon that released four successful albums and made multiple TV appearances; LA-based Bollywood dance sensation Nazara, who will bring a fusion of Bollywood and Indian classical dance; timeless classics by Broadway’s seasoned singer and actor Terron Brooks and former American Idol contestant Vonzell Solomon, both individually celebrated for their remarkable talents and who have now joined forces as a soulful duet; a special drum performance by LA-based Cajon Drummer Nick Adams known for his collaborations with top artists and appearances on major TV shows; a special dance performance from the Holiday Rhythm Tappers, the duo from So You Think You Can Dance; harmonious renditions of beloved holiday tunes from The Four Parts Barbershop Quartet and Winter Wonderland Carolers, and sonic sounds by DJ Z. Celebrating the incredible shopping on Rodeo Drive and in Beverly Hills, the Holiday Helpers will perform Shopper’s Delight, a bold and colorful dance set.
There will be performers including those with towering Peppermint Stilts, food, a wine garden and photo opportunities for guests throughout the evening.
Mayor Gold and members of the Beverly Hills City Council members will countdown the crowd and illuminate Rodeo Drive’s center median bringing to life the Up Up & Away Holiday! decor in its full adornment. Santa Claus, led by the Beverly Hills High School marching band will arrive on the Beverly Hills Fire Truck and a fireworks finale will also transpire.
The holiday festivities will continue across the region through January 1, 2024 with the following installations available for viewing nightly: The “Glowing Gardens” which includes giant tree and ornament sculptures at Beverly Cañon Gardens Park; the “Lights on the Lily Pond” show at Beverly Gardens Park which takes place every 15 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and back for its second year, the incredible “Unwrap the Magic” projection show viewable nightly every half hour from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the iconic Beverly Hills City Hall Tower located at the corner of N Santa Monica Boulevard and N Crescent Drive.
Beverly Hills will have its historic trolley car, adorned with holiday garland and named the “Jolly Trolley” for the holiday season running to take visitors to the “Unwrap the Magic” projection show every Thursday through Sunday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (excluding holidays) from its stops at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way and N Crescent Drive and N Santa Monica Boulevard.
There will also be a family friendly holiday celebration for children of all ages on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Greystone Mansion and Gardens.
By Trevor