💌 Hey AV Fam! As the rain clears and the chilly winter air settles in, we’re all winding down from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It’s the perfect time to cozy up, reflect on the year behind us, and get excited for all that’s ahead. From new adventures and local happenings to community highlights and good eats, 2026 is shaping up to be a year full of energy, fun, and positivity. Let’s start the year strong!

Let’s dive into all the fun happenings around the valley this week!⤵️

🚨 Top Stories: Palmdale Playhouse refreshed; Eric Ohlsen named mayor.
🌹 Community News: Flash floods hit AV; stay safe and prepared.
🍴 AV Eats: Buckle & Boots – BBQ, comfort food, and live fun.
⚽ Sports News: AVC & local high school basketball scores.
🎭 AV Happenings: Concerts, theater, and local entertainment.

Top Stories

🎭 A Fresh Look Takes Center Stage at the Palmdale Playhouse

Big changes are shining bright at the Palmdale Playhouse, and the community has a lot to be excited about. The beloved arts venue has officially unveiled a refreshed look and a series of upgrades that blend modern style with its rich creative roots.

The first thing you will notice is the outside. The Playhouse now features a bold new paint palette that instantly lifts the building’s look. It pairs perfectly with the eye-catching mural that stretches across the side of the venue, turning the Playhouse into a true piece of public art.

Step inside, and the upgrades continue. The stage has been professionally enhanced with a new performance floor designed to support a wide range of events, from theater and dance to concerts and special occasions. It is built for safety, flexibility, and top-tier performance.

Behind the scenes got some love too. New soft goods, updated finishes, and a dramatic new main drape bring a polished feel to the space while honoring the Playhouse’s signature blue tones.

Performers will also appreciate the brand-new dressing room, now featuring 10 individual stations. It is comfortable, stylish, and designed with artists in mind.

With these updates complete, the Palmdale Playhouse is ready for its next act. From world-class talent to hometown performers, this refreshed space remains a cultural cornerstone for the Antelope Valley, now more welcoming and vibrant than ever.

🏛️ Palmdale Welcomes a New Mayor for 2026

Palmdale is heading into the new year with new leadership at City Hall. The City Council has selected Eric Ohlsen as Palmdale’s next mayor, with his term officially beginning January 1. Councilmember Austin Bishop was named mayor pro tem. The appointments were made during the Council’s December meeting, marking a leadership transition as the city looks ahead to 2026.

Ohlsen, who was elected to the City Council in 2022, steps into the mayoral role for the first time. Before joining local government, he served in the United States Coast Guard, working in leadership roles focused on environmental science and public safety. He is also the founder of the Community Coalition of the Antelope Valley, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to making Palmdale cleaner and safer through desert cleanups and efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas. Ohlsen says he is eager to work closely with residents and bring several upcoming initiatives to life in the year ahead.

Bishop, a lifelong Palmdale resident, brings deep experience to his role as mayor pro tem, having previously served as mayor through 2024. He shared that his focus will be on completing road projects, supporting regional transportation improvements, and continuing to attract jobs while supporting local businesses.

Together, the new leadership team signals continuity and forward momentum for Palmdale as the city enters a new year.

Sports News

AVC College

🏀 Men’s Basketball
AVC 83 Vs. Rio Hondo 84
Record: 6-6

🏀 Women’s Basketball
AVC 65 Vs. Riverside 56
Record: 5-7

🏫High School Sports

AV High Basketball Scores:
Antelope Valley 34 (0-14) Vs. Faith Baptist 57
Palmdale (5-8) 41 Vs. Adelanto 65
Quartz Hill (10-9) 77 Vs. Palmdale 62
Paraclete (3-8) Vs. Burroughs
Highland (5-7) 68 Vs. Lancaster (1-14) 34
Eastside (10-1) 52 Vs. Ventura 32
Littlerock (7-3) 32 Vs. Granada Hills Charter 67
Rosamond (7-9) 52 Vs. California City 55
Knight (13-3) 76 Vs. Legacy 67

Event Spotlight

🎉 Happy New Year AV Fam 🎉

What a year it has been for the Antelope Valley and for us! As you head into the new year, celebrate safely, plan your ride home, and check in on someone who may need it. Keep your goals simple, give yourself grace, and take it one week at a time.

We are excited for what is ahead and cannot wait to grow with you in the year to come. Cheers to a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year, AV Fam.

Upcoming Events

🎶 Concerts & Live Events 🎤

• NYE Decades Night DJ Night with DJ Bootleg & DJ Wabbit - Dec 31

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 9:30PM
  🔗 Event details

• AV New Year Turn Up (Av Compton, Bino Rideaux & Chef Boy) - Jan 2

  📍 45000 Valley Central Way, Lancaster
  🕓 9PM
  🔗 Event details

• Mariachi Rock Revolution - Jan 24

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• Rhinestone Country - Feb 1

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 2PM
  🔗 Event details

• The Jungle Book - Feb 6

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 7PM
  🔗 Event details

• Love and Laughter - Feb 13

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• Jazz at Lincoln Center - Feb 14

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

Weekly Weather

📅 Sun, Dec 28 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 62° / Low: 38°
📅 Mon, Dec 29 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 61° / Low: 37°
📅 Tue, Dec 30 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 60° / Low: 36°
📅 Wed, Dec 31 – 🌤️ Partly Cloudy (New Year’s Eve) | High: 59° / Low: 35°
📅 Thu, Jan 1 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny (New Year’s Day) | High: 60° / Low: 36°
📅 Fri, Jan 2 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 61° / Low: 37°
📅 Sat, Jan 3 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 62° / Low: 38°
📅 Sun, Jan 4 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 61° / Low: 39°