STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Magdalena Davis Jones, Community Outreach Manager Subject: Recommendation of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison / Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee Regarding the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Program, Rodeo Drive Holiday Banners and Citywide Holiday Décor
Attachments: 1. Proposal from Rodeo Drive Committee for Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on November 19, 2026,
including Event Elements, Banners, Street Closures and
Budget
2. Update to Rodeo Drive Holiday Decor
3. City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive /Special Events /Holiday Program Committee Report from August 14, 2026 (without
attachments)
4. Citywide Holiday Décor Update
INTRODUCTION
This report provides the recommendation of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee (Liaisons) of Mayor Corman and Vice Mayor Wells, regarding the Holiday Lighting Celebration, a partnership between Rodeo Drive Committee and the City. This item seeks direction and approval from the City Council related to the recommendations of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison / Rodeo Drive/ Special Events/ Holiday Program Committee, regarding the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on November 19, 2026, permit and fee waivers, Rodeo Drive banner design, and associated street closures on Rodeo Drive, Dayton Way and Brighton Way, as well as an update to the Citywide Holiday Décor program.
The holiday décor for Rodeo Drive was previously approved by City Council on July 21, 2026. With approval of the event, staff will bring to the next Council meeting a purchase order to J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc. (JBB) for the proposed budget of $667,575.
DISCUSSION
Each year the City sponsors a signature holiday program designed to celebrate the season and attract visitors from around the region to shop, dine and stay in Beverly Hills.
These unique themed annual designs are separate from the various Citywide Holiday BEVERL
HILLS
di
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
Decor elements, which have already been approved by City Council on July 21, 2026, for the theme “50 Years of Brillance”, in honor of the Rodeo Drive Committee’s 50th anniversary. There is one additional Rodeo Drive decor update of the overhead spans to review in this report.
The City Council Liaison Committee of Mayor Corman and Vice Mayor Wells reviewed the proposal for the associated event, held annually for the community as a partnership between the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) and the City, on August 14, 2026 (Attachment 3). The made recommendations for the event elements, banners, and budget, detailed below, and recommended that the street closures move forward as proposed.
Additionally, the overall Citywide holiday décor program was brought before Liaisons and City Council separately, for recommendations, which are also included in this report.
Rodeo Drive Banner Options
The proposal originally included 2 banner options, one in black and gold, one in red and silver, for consideration that matched the theme, and the Committee recommended a third option be considered, in a blue and silver motif. It should be noted that the banners are paid for out of a different Policy & Management existing budget and agreement with the banner vendor. Liaisons requested a mockup of all 3 colorways, which can be found in Attachment 1, however City Council is requested to recommend a singular banner color option, for cohesion, as there are only 28 total banners on the street, 10 on the sidewalk and 18 in the median (9 pairs). Both the blue and red motifs will match one of the oversized gems on Rodeo Drive, and the black and gold motif most closely matches the RDC’s 50th anniversary colorway.
These banners differ in design from the Citywide holiday banners, hung throughout the community, which are in their 3rd year of the same design, as confirmed by the Liaisons at a separate review.
Holiday Lighting Celebration
The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, set for Thursday, November 19, 2026, returned with a proposal from production company JBB for the event elements. In the past, the event has attracted up to 10,000 attendees from 5-8pm.
Liaison Committee reviewed and recommended the proposed event elements for the 2026 Holiday Lighting Celebration (Attachment 1) scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 5-8pm, from the City’s funding, including:
• Street closures for preparation, production and striking of the program (similar to prior years) from Wednesday, November 18 at 9pm until Friday, November 20 at 6am as follows:
o Rodeo Drive from S. Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire o Dayton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways to the East and West o Brighton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways to the East and West o Access to the Rodeo Collection Garage on the 400 block will be discussed with impacted tenants
o Access to the City’s Brighton Garage and Two Rodeo Garage will be maintained through the alleyways.
• The necessary infrastructure and security to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, including traffic control, restrooms, signage, and staff • A stage at Brighton Way and Rodeo Drive
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
• 3 hours of on-stage entertainment including host “Aly”, DJ Lady Sha, vocalists The Noelles, and Tenors, LED Violinist, and a cultural Pacific Islander-themed holiday performance
• Special guest performers with Debbie Allen Dance Academy, For the Record, The Wallis, and West Side Ballet
• New entertainment this year of a talent search “Rodeo Drive Has Talent” to attract potential vocalists, variety acts, or solo artist and bands o Online application from September 14 – October 12, 2026 (promoted to locals through ads, and on social media)
o Panel of judges to select the top act (the Committee recommended we promote and commit to selecting 1 top act, with the possibility to expand to up to 3 if the pool of talent is spectacular!)
o Acts announced on October 20, 2026
o And the top act performs live during the November 19 Holiday Lighting Celebration, and are promoted as such
• Street and Interactive entertainment including individual photos opps that match the theme, holiday skaters, stilt walkers, an oversized tricycle, interactive Santa with his “red carpet security”
• A static photo opportunity that features our Beverly Hills trolley as a backdrop with Santa
• No headliner talent, preferring the local talent search and professional talent as proposed
• One wine garden
• Food trucks and individual stands with local businesses All of the above elements can be accounted for in the City’s budget of $667,575.
Due to efforts to keep the holidays overall budget that comes from Tourism and Marketing, funded by TOT, at its projected amount, the elements above were the only items able to be confirmed with City funding, leaving out a second wine garden and fireworks.
The RDC proposed and was able to confirm at the Committee meeting, local sponsors including Gearys, Auto Vault, and Two Rodeo Drive, for this year an estimated $45,000.
Although this event has not traditionally had a sponsorship model in past, the Committee appreciated and supported the sponsorships, as those amounts are able to cover the above elements and the add-on of a fireworks finale. Under the budget in Attachment 2, the cost for a second wine garden is shown, should additional sponsor(s) be able to be secured. JBB will handle the sponsorship fulfillment as they do for Concours d’Elegance, and are generously waiving any additional sponsorship management fee, since the number of sponsors and exhibitors are much less for this event.
The $667,575 City contribution is available in the existing Tourism and Marketing budget.
The Committee restated their desire to prioritize the longer-term décor over the one-day event, and a waiver of the permits and personnel for the event (JBBs agency fee will not apply to our City’s waived amount). The total amount for the event, with sponsorship, will be $712,575. The total amount for décor approved is $566,959.20, for a total budget of $1,279,534.20. A full year over year budget slide will be available at the Council meeting.
Notably, last year, the event did require putting forward a rain plan, for only the second time in the last decade, which is not in the total available budget above. The 2025 rain plan cost $42,875, and allowed the event to be held, with great attendance, despite the rain that occurred, since the rain plan ensures coverage for the essential AV elements, and tenting for certain elements for guests. The Committee acknowledged that a rain plan would come from a contingency available in the Tourism and Marketing budget, if need Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
be, and recommended that City staff and JBB look closely at the necessary elements to ensure the event can continue safely in the rain, aside from the elements that only provide guest comfort.
As proposed, JBB and RDC would follow all City requirements for permits and inspection, including the necessary staff time to review and approve the installation and electrical uses, however the agency fee would not apply to permits or labor. The City would absorb, as it has in years’ past, the approximately $70,000 in waivers for the event, as well as costs for marketing the event. All installations and lighting testing will take place overnight, to not impact the Rodeo Driver merchants. Resident notifications and a marketing plan with the City partners will be executed by City staff.
Update to Rodeo Drive Holiday Decor
Due to the structural integrity of the street light poles on Rodeo Drive, the initial proposal for garlands strung across the street, would pose a potential safety issue. Due to a high amount of construction on the street, the RDC and City Council agreed on a goal to prioritize an elegant, high decor feature across the street, to draw the public’s eyes up, and provide a unique, unified look down the block.
With this goal in mind, the City’s vendor JBB proposed an expansion of the “dripping” lights feature in the center median palms – adding additional dripping lights to every sidewalk palm tree, in addition to strands of dripping lights from sidewalk to media. In total, 16 strands would be hung down the block, an increase from the 4 proposed garlands (Attachment 2). These lights have a slow, elegant movement, and have featured on the block for several years. This design, while including more strands, is the same budgeted amount that Council has approved for Rodeo Drive Holiday Decor.
They have been evaluated by the City’s Public Works department, and do not pose any risk to the health of the trees, or any safety issue with pedestrians or vehicles. A rendering of the new design appears in Attachment 2 to this report.
Citywide Holiday Decor
At the April 21, 2026, City Council Study Session, the Council reviewed the zero-based budget including reductions to the citywide lighting and décor. With these savings, the following elements will make up our 2026 citywide holiday décor and lighting:
• Warm white lights throughout the business district
• Santa and Reindeer Display
• Wilshire Spans
• Beverly Canon Gardens – same décor as last 2 years
• Beverly Gardens Park Menorah scene and Tree
• Lights on the Lily Pond show reusing previous programing and reduce number of reeds if necessary
• Robertson Blvd – Street pole lights and lighted garland with bows • Street spans on N. Beverly (to remain white)
• Street spans on N. Canon (to remain white)
• S. Beverly canopy spheres
• S. Santa Monica Blvd – west of Wilshire - Snowflakes
• Triangle bows and garland
• Static projection onto the Crescent side of City Hall • Triangle background audio
• Citywide banners in business areas
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
Other changes to note:
• Discontinue banner up-lighting
• Discontinue the Jolly Trolly
• Discontinue colored lights and canopy spheres on La Cienega (the street will keep the year-round white twinkle lights)
• Discontinue colored lights and canopy décor on Camden Drive (the street will keep the year-round white twinkle lights)
• The Citywide Twinkle lights will go from an annual replacement schedule to every other year. Staff will also evaluate savings that could be attained by lighting every other tree instead of every tree in some areas.
As part of the zero-based-budget process, the citywide décor was reviewed by both the ZBB who referred the review to the RDC Ad Hoc with the goal of reducing annual costs by 50%. We did get the cost reduced by 37% for 2026 by removing some items and choosing to reduce others rather than purchase additional parts/equipment. The Citywide Holiday décor is funded from a separate City CIP budget, and through an agreement with Utopia Worldwide, Inc.
Community Menorah Lighting
Traditionally, the City Council has held an annual community Menorah Lighting event, free to the public and led by the Mayor, to commemorate the Hannukah holiday. This year, Hannukah begins on Friday, December 4, 2026, and so to not interfere with many residents’ traditional Jewish Sabbath, the recommended date for the Menorah Lighting is Monday, December 7, 2026, instead. It will be the fourth night of Hannukah and take place at 5pm adjacent to the menorah display at Beverly Gardens Park.
FISCAL IMPACT
It should be noted that funding for the Rodeo Drive Holiday décor, as well as the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, comes from Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds allocated to the Tourism and Marketing budget (00101311). The City collects a total of fourteen percent TOT based on gross room sales from the City’s hotels. One-seventh of the total TOT revenue has been the basis of calculating the funding for the Tourism and Marketing budget in Beverly Hills for approximately 27 years.
The budget request from the City for this event as proposed above is $667,575. The total cost of the event is $712,575, and assumes $45,000 in sponsorship. A full budget detailed sheet can be found on Attachment 1. Note, this total does not include the aforementioned fee waivers and additional marketing costs absorbed by the City.
TOT has traditionally funded the Rodeo Drive holiday décor and program, in addition to the annual partner workplans, Concours car show event, landscaping in the business triangle including Rodeo Drive, and the City’s trademark branding costs.
JBB has been the selected vendor for Rodeo Drive Holiday Décor and Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting celebrations since 2019. The City of Beverly Hills has an existing contract with J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc. (JBB) for services resulting from a competitive bidding process; and approval of a purchase order in an amount not-to-exceed $667,575 will be requested from Council at the next formal session, provided Council approves the event today.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council review the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration proposed event elements, banner designs, and associated budget, as well as Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
recommended the street closures, as described further in Attachment 1 to this report, and provide comments as appropriate.
It is also recommended that the City Council review and approve the updated design to the overhead lighting for Rodeo Drive Holiday Décor, the updates to the Citywide Holiday Décor program, and confirm the December 7, 2026, date for the community Menorah Lighting Celebration.
Keith Sterling,
Deputy City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026
5-8PM
J. BEN BOURGEOIS PRODUCTIONS, INC
Holiday Lighting Celebration
J. BEN BOURGEOIS PRODUCTIONS, INC
Street Closure Request
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration
Street Closure Request
9:00 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Through 6:00 AM Friday, November 20, 2026
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration
Street Closure Request
9:00 PM Wednesday November 18, 2026
iThrough
6:00 AM Friday November 20, 2026
OPTION A
CENTER MEDIAN SIDEWALK
StreetBanners
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OPTION B
CENTER MEDIAN SIDEWALK
StreetBanners
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OPTION C
CENTER MEDIAN SIDEWALK
StreetBanners
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RODEO DRIVE
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StreetBanners–Street View
Overall Street Layout
Printed : 08/07 /26
J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc.
717 N. Cahucnga Blvd. Suite 82
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-960-0600
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Talent Search "Rodeo Drive Has Talent”
…looking for the next big act to perform at the
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration!
VOCALISTS VARIETY ACTS SOLO ARTISTS & BANDS
Submit an online application with a short video performance September 14 – October 12, 2026 Panel of expert judges to narrow down the field and select the Top Act Top Selected Act announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Top Act performs live during the evening line up at the November 19 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration! Street & Interactive Entertainment
Photo Ops
Street &Interactive Entertainment
Photo Ops (Cont.)
Holiday Skaters
Street & Interactive Entertainment, Cont.
Rolling Trike
Stilt Walkers
Street & Interactive Entertainment, Cont.
Santa & His Red-Carpet Crew
Street & Interactive Entertainment, Cont.
North Pole Trolley
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LED Violinist
Dani Armstrong DJ Lady Sha Dani Armstrong
Stage Performers, Cont.
The Noelles Tenors
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CityPartnerships
• Chamber of Commerce to promote the event on their main social media channels of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and on NowBeverlyHills
• Chamber to feature the event in upcoming eNewsletters for members and nonmembers (with a distribution size of ~10,000 email subscribers) • Chamber to feature the event in upcoming eNewsletters for NowBeverlyHills (with a distribution size of ~5,000 email subscribers). Promotion of the event in the NowBeverlyHills newsletter and on NowBeverlyHills social media channels a week to 10 days out.
• Chamber to do a restaurant guide of where to eat on event night, including kid friendly restaurants, and reach out to Chamber members to coordinate calendars to avoid conflicts with businesses.
• Chamber will announce the event during upcoming committee meetings, and meetings with businesses to additionally promote the event.
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CityPartnerships
• Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Event Listing: BHCVB will create a dedicated event listing on LoveBeverlyHills.com featuring pertinent event information and a link to the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) website for additional details.
• Social Media Promotion: BHCVB will promote the event across its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube, reaching a combined audience of approximately 231,000 followers. BHCVB will collaborate on social content with stakeholders, where appropriate, and its owned social posts will drive audiences to the event listing on LoveBeverlyHills.com. • Website Promotion: BHCVB will create a dedicated event image slider on the LoveBeverlyHills.com homepage, linking directly to the event listing and providing prominent visibility for the celebration. • eNewsletter Promotion: BHCVB will feature the event in upcoming Visitor, Media, Trade, and Partner eNewsletters, reaching a combined delivered distribution of approximately 40,000 opt-in subscribers. • Video Content: BHCVB will produce a Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration video for promotion and distribution across BHCVB-owned channels and through paid media.
• Holiday Itinerary: BHCVB will develop a dedicated holiday itinerary featuring the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration and other relevant seasonal events and experiences throughout Beverly Hills. The itinerary will be prominently featured on LoveBeverlyHills.com and amplified through BHCVB’s social media and eNewsletter channels throughout the holiday season. • Paid Media Campaigns: BHCVB will deploy a domestic Visit California/Expedia campaign beginning in the fall and continuing through the holiday season. BHCVB will also launch its Celebrate Together in Beverly Hills holiday campaign from November 16 through December 31, 2026, featuring destination content and hotel offerings. If we proceed with paid media, paid media will target key drive-market consumers and encourage overnight visitation while positioning Beverly Hills as a premier destination to stay, shop, dine, and celebrate during the holiday season.
CONFERENCE &
VISITORS BUREAU
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Budget
Estimate
$42,875.00
$14,750.00
667,575.00
$593,812.50
$53,300.00
$45,000.00
$712,575.00
$92,531.00
$163,370.00
$29,050.00
$33,720.50
$113,010.00
$108,831.00
$118,762.50
CITY/PARTNERS
WAIVER of $70,000
2026 REQUESTED
$25,000.00
$38,754.67
$51,612.51
CITY
$30,246.20
$23,700.00
$88,644.14
$727,889.16
$752,889.16
$627,407.63
$125,481.53
$107,069.00
$181,702.91
$105,678.20
CITY /PARTNERS
WAIVER of $70,000
2025 FINAL
AGENCY FEE (20%)
Tenting, Technical Equipment Protective Gear, Umbrellas, Tenting Labor & Delivery Traffic Control Plan, K-Rails, Message Boards, Equipment, Trucking, Flaggers & Labor Audio Speakers, Installation, Removal, Curated Music & Production (7) WEEKS AUDIO SYSTEM - Holiday Music & Production Elements Event/Overnight Security, Event Signage & Cleaning Services Generator Power, Back Up Generator, Power Distro, Forklifts, Scissor Lifts, Gear Haulers & Delivery Production, Restrooms, Rentals, Fencing, Fireworks Show, (1) Wine Garden &(1) Photo Activation Opening Night Street & Stage Talent, Santa Moment, Featured Guest Performers & Specialty Acts Rain Plan - Tenting, Technical Equipment Protective Gear, Umbrellas, Tenting Labor & Delivery Labor for all Technical Departments, Overnight Crews, Technical Direction, Crew Chief & Leads (1) Wine Gardens - Rentals, Furniture, Hedges, Bar Canopy Overhead, Set Up & Delivery Main Stage Platform, Lighting, Audio, Rigging, LED Video Wall, Truss, Equipment & Pre Production Rodeo Drive Banners, Event Marketing, PR Campaign, Digital Media Outreach & Ad Buys Police, Fire, TCO's & Street Closure Permits/Meters
FINAL TOTAL- HOLIDAY LIGHTING CELEBRATION BUDGET- CITY FUNDS REQUESTED SPONSORSHIPS - (2025) GEARYS & AUTO VAULT - (2026) GEARYS, AUTO VAULT & TWO RODEO
ESTIMATED TOTAL- HOLIDAY LIGHTING CELEBRATION
SUBTOTAL
RAIN PLAN - Equipment & Labor
TRAFFIC CONTROL & STREET MANAGEMENT - Equipment & Labor
SECURITY, PRINTING & MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES
POWER AND ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION/CENTER MEDIAN & SHOW/HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION - Production Expenses & Specialty Elements OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION - Entertainment Elements
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION - Technical Labor & Overnight Crew OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION - Thursday, November 19, 2026 {Below not included in budget)
STREET BANNERS, MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, DIGITAL MEDIA & AD BUYS CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS - Personnel, Event Permit Fees & Management l OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION - Thursday, November 19, 2026 INSTALLATION: November 18, 2026 @ 9:00pm/Out by 6:00am on November 20, 2026 EVENT DATE & TIME: Thursday, November 19, 2026 from 5:00pm - 8:15pm
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS - RODEO DRIVE HOLIDAY LIGHTING CELEBRATION J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc.
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Attachment 2
Update to Rodeo Drive Holiday Décor 2026
Overhead Lighting instead of Garland
Rendering only
Attachment 3
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive /Special Events /Holiday Program Committee
FROM: Magdalena Davis Jones, Community Outreach Manager DATE: August 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Request for 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Program, Rodeo Drive Holiday Banners, and Budget Request, including Associated Street Closures for the Event on November 19, 2026 ATTACHMENT: 1. 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Presentation
2. Staff Report from July 21, 2026, for Rodeo Drive Decor
INTRODUCTION
This report provides the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee (Liaisons) of Mayor Corman and Vice Mayor Wells with an overview of the proposed 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration. It should be noted that this review is for the event only, as the décor has been reviewed and approved by City Council on July 21, 2026, and the Citywide holiday décor and programming such as the audio on Rodeo Drive has previously been reviewed by Liaisons as well. The Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) and J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc. (JBB) request a review of the proposed event elements and associated budget request, holiday banners on Rodeo, street closures on Rodeo Drive for the event on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
DISCUSSION
Each year the City sponsors a signature holiday program designed to celebrate the season and attract visitors from around the region to shop, dine and stay in Beverly Hills. These unique themed annual designs are separate from the various Citywide Holiday Decor elements, which have already been approved by City Council on July 21, 2026, for the theme “50 Years of Brillance”, in honor of the Rodeo Drive Committee’s 50th anniversary. The elegant wreath theme incorporates both vignettes in the median, and also for the first time, garland street spans (Attachment 2).
The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, set for Thursday, November 19, 2026, now comes back with a proposal from the RDC and production company JBB for the event elements. In the past, the event has attracted up to 10,000 attendees from 5-8pm.
The proposal includes 2 banner options for consideration that match the theme. It should be noted that the banners are paid for out of a different Policy & Management existing budget and agreement with the banner vendor. There is also a possibility this year, due to the garlands, that the banners will go down from 28 to 22, so that there are not visibility conflicts.
Liaisons are requested to review the proposed event elements for the 2026 Holiday Lighting Celebration (Attachment 1) scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 5-8pm, including:
• Street closures for preparation, production and striking of the program (similar to prior years) from Wednesday, November 18 at 9pm until Friday, November 20 at 6am as follows:
o Rodeo Drive from S. Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire o Dayton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways to the East and West o Brighton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways to the East and West o Access to the Rodeo Collection Garage on the 400 block will be discussed with impacted tenants
o Access to the City’s Brighton Garage and Two Rodeo Garage will be maintained through the alleyways.
• The necessary infrastructure and security to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, including traffic control, restrooms, signage, and staff
• A stage at Brighton Way and Rodeo Drive
• 3 hours of on-stage entertainment including host “Aly”, DJ Lady Sha, vocalists The Noelles, and Tenors, LED Violinist, and a cultural island holiday performance • Special guest performers could include (pending confirmation of partnerships) Debbie Allen Dance Academy, For the Record, The Wallis, and West Side Ballet • New entertainment this year of a talent search “Rodeo Drive Has Talent” to attract potential vocalists, variety acts, or solo artist and bands
o Online application from September 14 – October 12, 2026 (promoted to locals through ads, and on social media)
o Panel of judges to select the top 3
o Acts announced on October 20, 2026
o And the top acts perform live during the November 19 Holiday Lighting Celebration, and are promoted as such
• Street and Interactive entertainment including individual photos opps that match the theme, holiday skaters, stilt walkers, an oversized tricycle, interactive Santa with his “red carpet security”
• A static photo opportunity that features our Beverly Hills trolley as a backdrop with Santa • One wine garden
• Food trucks and individual stands with local businesses Due to efforts to keep the holidays overall budget that comes from Tourism and Marketing, funded by TOT, at its projected amount, the elements above are confirmed for the proposal with the total at $682,575. Due to last year’s participation from sponsors including Gearys, Auto Vault, and the Beverly Hills CVB, for this year an estimated $15,000 was put into the budget to see if sponsors can be attracted for the elements above, such as perhaps sponsoring the interactive entertainment in part, or a photo backdrop. That brings the City funds requested to $667,575, which is available in the existing Tourism and Marketing budget. Liaisons have previously stated their desire to prioritize the longer-term décor over the one-day event, and so this budget does remove some traditional elements of the event.
Should Liaisons like to have added-value options for the event, the production team has priced out the following options:
• Fireworks finale at $31,000
• An additional wine garden (bringing the total to 2) at $14,750 • Headline talent “The Womack Sisters”, who are soul/R&B singers, the granddaughters of Sam Cooke at $50,000
• Headliner Skyler Astin, who is a known Broadway and film performer (“Pitch Perfect”) at $45,000
None of the above event elements cut the items related to the stage or interactive entertainment, as the RDC considers those essential elements to the event of this prestige. Notably, last year, the event did require putting forward a rain plan, which is not in the total available budget above.
The 2025 rain plan cost $42,875, and allowed the event to be held, with great attendance, despite the rain that occurred.
The RDC is recommending that Liaisons review the available funding in Tourism and Marketing to see if it can support the fireworks finale, and preferably two wine gardens for this event. While they understand that this event provides a neighborhood holiday experience, they wish to highlight that it is also an event attended by Rodeo Drive destination holiday shoppers and the focus of social media attention. In addition to providing destination travelers with a luxury Rodeo Drive experience, it is an event that leads the City into a luxury holiday experience that is compared to events locally and worldwide through individual social media experiences and postings. While the RDC is actively pursuing suitable sponsors for this, the available timeframe and process for securing terms is inhibiting realistic and meaningful funding.
As proposed, JBB and RDC would follow all City requirements for permits and inspection, without a charge so the agency fee would not apply to permits or labor, however including the necessary staff time to review and approve the installation and electrical uses. The City would absorb, as it has in years’ past, the approximately $70,000 in waivers for the event, as well as costs for marketing the event. All installations and lighting testing will take place overnight, to not impact the Rodeo Driver merchants. Resident notifications and a marketing plan with the City partners will be executed by City staff.
FISCAL IMPACT
The budget request from the City for this event as proposed above is $667,575. The total cost of the event is $682,575, and assumes $15,000 in sponsorship is obtained. Additional sponsorship could be put towards the elements listed as added-value. A full budget detailed sheet can be found on Attachment 1.
It should be noted that funding for the Rodeo Drive Holiday décor, as well as the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, comes from TOT, the City’s Tourism and Marketing budget. TOT has traditionally funded the Rodeo Drive holiday décor and program, in addition to the annual partner workplans, Concours car show event, and some small amounts for landscaping the business areas including Rodeo, and the City’s trademark branding attorneys.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests the City Council Liaisons review and provide feedback regarding the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration proposed event elements, banner designs, and associated budget, as well as recommendation of the street closures, as described further in Attachment 1 to this report.
Attachment 4
2026 Citywide Holiday Decor
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Discontinued Holiday Decor
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