Celebrating 40 Years of Cityhood

On November 29, 2024, the City of West Hollywood kicks off a year-long celebration of 40 years of Community, Pride, and Progress!

As we celebrate these 40 incredible years, we’re not slowing down, we’re cranking up the volume and facing the challenges of the day with passion and determination! West Hollywood will continue to be the place where everyone—no matter who you are or where you come from—can find your voice, your community, your home. We’re ready to keep breaking barriers, setting trends, and fighting the good fight. The next 40 years? Bring it on—we’re ready to resist, persist, and lead with pride!

West Hollywood is where dreams meet reality, where the impossible becomes possible, and we do it all with heart, hustle, and a bit of sparkle. Here’s to the next chapter of West Hollywood—a City that’s not just surviving but thriving and driving change with courage, resilience, and a room full of personality! A model municipality for Cities across the nation, a trailblazer on progressive policies, culture, art and entertainment for more than four decades, we are loud and proud!

What's coming up?

Please join us at upcoming events and opportunities throughout the next year to celebrate this exciting milestone and connect with the community: 

• Seven, special 40th Anniversary Cultural History Grant Projects including cultural programs and exhibits, film screenings, arts education for youth, and walking tours, that will highlight the people and stories that make our city a unique and vibrant community. The 40th Anniversary Cultural History Grant recipients are: Dante Alencastre, Arts Bridging the Gap, Samara Goodman, Jason Jenn, Crystal Lake, Kultur Mercado, and the ONE Archives Foundation. Stay tuned for dates and locations!
• In-depth interviews with past and outgoing City of West Hollywood Councilmembers have been completed to document and share their stories about the founding of West Hollywood and the progressive policies that shaped West Hollywood. Editing is in progress, and we’ll add these videos to this website in 2025.
• Check back for additional events that will be added throughout the year.

What's happening now?

In addition, there are many projects that have been funded, initiated or supported by the City of West Hollywood to support our celebration such as:

• Professional photographer Edward Goff will showcase his captivating photo exhibition, "40 YEARS IN THE MAKING," at the Community Center in Plummer Park. This special exhibit is dedicated to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the City of West Hollywood, offering a visual journey through decades of artistry, history, and transformation. Goff’s work captures the essence of time, community, and culture, making this exhibition a must-see for art and photography enthusiasts alike. Please join us on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 from 11am to 6pm. More info.

• A new hand-painted mural celebrating our 40th Anniversary by Artist Timothy Robert Smith has already been unveiled at City Hall featuring drag performers Jasmine Masters, Cake Moss, and Pickle, the City’s Inaugural Drag Laureate.
• An exhibit of Young City at War: Stories from West Hollywood During the AIDS Epidemic has been installed at West Hollywood Park across from the park-level entrance to the Aquatic & Recreation Center and under the Grand Staircase. It is on display through at least June 1, 2025. Young City at War: Stories from West Hollywood During the AIDS Epidemic features the dramatic and poignant story of a diverse community’s response to the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This public installation honors the warriors of the past and present, as well as showcases the power of community. It celebrates the leadership, strength, and endurance of the people and City of West Hollywood. It also provides awareness, inspiration, and wisdom for new generations. This project is led by the Lavender Effect and is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood.
• WeHo Stories documents through the decades the residents of seemingly diverse interests coming together to empower themselves and make real change.
• Visit West Hollywood celebrated 40 years of Cityhood in NYC too! Visit West Hollywood partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue’s Manhattan flagship store on 5th Avenue in NYC to install these limited edition displays to invite everyone to experience 40 iconic years of West Hollywood.

What have I missed?

Events and activities that have already occurred in celebration of our 40th year include:

• The City celebrated West Hollywood Day with an amazing community event on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater. Check out the event page for more information, photos, videos (see below), and more.  
• The City's annual World AIDS Day Commemoration organized by the Lavender Effect, the Foundation for the AIDS Monument, and the City of West Hollywood was held on December 1 and included the opening of a special exhibit on the City's history. See photos and video here.
• A very special Winter Sounds in honor of the City’s 40th Anniversary at the Pendry was held on Sunday, December 15, 2024. See photos of the event here.

For more information or to add a special event that is being planned to celebrate 40 years of community, pride, and progress, please contact the City Manager’s Office at citymanager@weho.org.