The Beverly Hills City Council approved $667,575 for the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration at its Tuesday, Sept. 22, meeting.
The purchase order goes to J. Ben Bourgeois Productions for the event, scheduled 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. The total cost is $682,575. The remaining $15,000 is budgeted from event sponsors, according to an Aug. 14 Liaison Committee memo. The city's share comes from its Tourism and Marketing budget, funded by Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue.
The 2026 theme is "50 Years of Brilliance," marking the Rodeo Drive Committee's 50th anniversary. The celebration has drawn up to 10,000 attendees in past years.
A new "Rodeo Drive Has Talent" talent search is part of the lineup. Applications close Oct. 12, with the top three acts announced Oct. 20 and performing live at the Nov. 19 event.
Street closures will stretch from 9 p.m. Nov. 18 through 6 a.m. Nov. 20, covering Rodeo Drive between South Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard, plus portions of Dayton Way and Brighton Way.
Theatre 40 gets $50K for Greystone programming
The council also approved a $50,000 agreement with Theatre 40 for cultural programming and theatrical performances at Greystone Mansion, waiving an additional $24,523 in facility rental and staffing fees for the group.
Theatre 40, based at the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre inside Beverly Hills High School, has received city financial support since 2006, according to the council agenda. The nonprofit company comprises roughly 150 professional actors, directors and designers.
The group launched a series of staged play readings at Greystone Mansion beginning Aug. 19, with tickets priced at $10 for Beverly Hills residents and $15 for non-residents, The Los Angeles Beat reported.
Sidewalk project sent back for new bids
The council rejected all bids received for the Beverly Hills Sidewalk Restoration Project Phase 3 and directed staff to rebid the project.
The agenda did not explain why.
Edison excavation permit appeal heard
The council held a public hearing on an appeal of an Aug. 7 excavation permit tied to the One Beverly Hills project. The permit allows Southern California Edison to install electrical utility infrastructure along South Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Charleville Boulevard. Staff had recommended upholding the permit. No post-meeting record confirming the council's decision has been published.
In other business, the council approved $392,105 for elevator pit waterproofing at two city parking structures and $83,985 for playground improvements at Arnaz Mini Park. It also appointed Jason Grant and Joshua Greer to the Planning Commission for initial two-year terms.
The next Beverly Hills City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20.
