Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting
Beverly Hills, CA
Rodeo Drive lights up each November — an evening of carolers, costumed performers, themed décor, fireworks, and Santa kicks off Beverly Hills’s grand holiday season, completely free for families.
Rodeo Drive lights up each November — an evening of carolers, costumed performers, themed décor, fireworks, and Santa kicks off Beverly Hills’s grand holiday season, completely free for families.
The Annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration has been Beverly Hills’s most glamorous kickoff to the holiday season for decades. Hosted by the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee, the celebration takes over all three blocks of Rodeo Drive on an evening in mid-November — typically a Thursday — when the iconic shopping street closes to traffic and opens to families.
Each year carries a unique theme. Recent celebrations have drawn inspiration from beloved holiday stories — a Nutcracker-inspired evening, for example, brought Sugarplum skaters, stilt ballerinas, Mouse King helpers, roaming puppets, and animated life-size sweets to the street, with live carolers and Mother Ginger performers wandering the blocks while gourmet food trucks and curated wine gardens kept the crowd warm.
The night builds to two signature moments: the arrival of Santa Claus and a spectacular fireworks finale over Rodeo Drive itself. After the lighting, the seasonal decorations remain through early January — making an evening stroll down Rodeo a free holiday outing for the whole family.
Yes — the lighting celebration, performances, Santa visit, and fireworks finale on Rodeo Drive are completely free and open to the public. Only food, drinks, and parking cost extra.
Yes — the area is well-served by transit. The Metro D Line (Purple) extension reaches the Wilshire/Rodeo station, a short walk from the south end of Rodeo Drive, and Metro Bus lines run along Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards. With Rodeo Drive itself closed to traffic on event night, arriving by transit is often the smoothest option. Check Metro’s Trip Planner for current routes and times.
The Beverly Hills Civic Center parking garage at 450 N. Crescent Drive is the closest official lot. Municipal structures on Beverly Drive and Cañon Drive are good walk-in options. Rodeo Drive itself closes to traffic during the celebration, so plan to walk the last few blocks.
Very — the celebration is designed as a family event with Nutcracker-inspired performers, music, and Santa. The street is flat and stroller-friendly, and the lighting concludes early enough for younger children.
Beverly Cañon Gardens (the Glowing Gardens installation) and Beverly Hills City Hall’s holiday decorations are both within a short walk. Lights on the Lily Pond at Beverly Gardens Park is a few blocks north on Santa Monica Boulevard for a longer evening loop.
Rodeo Drive is the storied three-block stretch of Beverly Hills running between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard — internationally known as one of the most famous luxury shopping streets in the world. Curved by design and lined with palms, it’s anchored at the Wilshire end by the European-flavored cobblestones of Via Rodeo and runs north past flagship boutiques to the residential edge of the city. Beyond its retail identity, Rodeo Drive has long served as Beverly Hills’s civic stage — closing for parades, public art moments, and the city’s marquee holiday celebration each year. Its compact, walkable scale makes it a natural gathering place once cars are removed from the equation.
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.