Oakland County community calendar Dec. 21 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Community activities

• Recycle unwanted, broken, or burned-out holiday light strands at the Detroit Zoo Guest Services at the front of the zoo, 8450 W 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, through January, free of charge, https://detroitzoo.org.

• Mike Morse Law Firm offers its annual “Ride Free NYE” campaign. With Dec. 31 considered one of the most dangerous driving days of the year, the firm is offering thousands of $20 Uber vouchers to help ensure drivers’ safety as they ring in the New Year. From Dec. 26 through Dec. 31, the law firm will release Uber vouchers online at www.855mikewins.com/ridefreenye, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rides must be taken in Michigan between 5 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025, and 5 a.m. Jan 1, 2026.

• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force of Southfield is seeking nominations for the 2026 MLK Community Service Award. Nominees must demonstrate a commitment to advancing human and civil rights, be actively involved in community service, and reside or work in Southfield or Lathrup Village, and be 18 years of age or older. Past recipients and current elected officials are not eligible. To nominate an individual, complete the nomination form at
www.cityofsouthfield.com/news/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-task-force-seeks-nominations-2026-mlk-community-service-award.

• The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office has opened the annual Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. Oakland County public high school students are invited to submit 2-D artwork (including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) or video that reflects the theme of financial empowerment, with entries due by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2026, oakgov.com/arts.

Fundraisers/Charitable events

• The Birmingham Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for The Bottomless Toy Chest through Dec. 22. Donated toys can be placed in collection boxes in these Birmingham locations: Fire Station 1, 572 S. Adams Road; Fire Station 2, 1600 W. Maple Road; Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill St. and Birmingham City Hall, 151 Martin St., (248) 530-1906. The Bottomless Toy Chest is a nonprofit devoted to delivering toys to hospitalized pediatric oncology patients.

• Southfield Parks & Recreation invites residents of all ages to Skate for a Cause, 5–6:50 p.m. Dec. 23, at the Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road, www.cityofsouthfield.com. Admission and skate rental are free with a donation of a non-perishable food item per person, to go to local food assistance programs serving Southfield families, (248) 796-4620, www.cityofsouthfield.com/deaprtments/parks-recreation.

• Donations made to The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit, Dec. 15 through Dec. 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000, thanks to a group of community leaders and businesses known as the Consortium of Hope. To support The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, donate at a red kettle at storefronts until Christmas Eve, excluding Sundays. Additional ways to contribute: text GIFT to 24365; visit SAmetrodetroit.org, or call (248) 443-5500.

• The Giving Machine: Focus HOPE in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is hosting a donation kiosk through Jan. 4 at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets at Entrance E (at Nike Store and Bass Pro Shops) in Auburn Hills. Visitors can purchase donations to support Focus: HOPE’s mission to help end food insecurity and build equitable opportunities for families in Metro Detroit, www.focushope.edu.

Holiday activities

• Tis the Season Concert: 3 p.m. Dec. 21, at Community Presbyterian Church, 4301 Monroe Ave., Waterford Twp. Nine different musical groups present a variety of Christmas music. “Fun-raiser” to support the Big Chief Chorus, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Baldwin Center in Pontiac, free-will offering, 248-673-7805.

• Jurassic Quest-Holiday Edition: Dec. 19-21, Suburban Collection Showplace 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, life-size dinosaurs meet Christmas cheer, www.jurassicquest.com/upcoming-events, ticket prices vary.

• Chanukah on Ice: 3:15-5:15 p.m. Dec. 21, at the Detroit Skating Club’s indoor rink, 888 Denison Ct., Bloomfield Twp. View a special ice skating show, ice skating for the entire family, massive Menorah lighting, donuts and Chanukah treats and crafts, www.jewishtroy.com.

• Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams takes place at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 through Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak. Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams returns to brighten the holidays for patients in the pediatric unit at Corewell Health Children’s in Royal Oak. The public is invited to gather with friends and neighbors at 8 p.m. sharp for 10 minutes to shine beams of light toward the pediatric unit windows at Corewell Health Children’s to show support for children and their families. In return, patients will use flashlights to send back their own festive glow.

• Holiday House Tours and All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit takes place noon-4 p.m. select days in December, including Dec. 21, and Dec. 26-30, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, buy tickets at the door, general adm. is $5/adults, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.

• Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights is on select dates Nov. 28-Dec. 30, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University, annual indoor daytime Holiday Walk, and the outdoor evening light show, featuring music and concessions, meadowbrookholidays.com, (248) 364-6200, ticket prices vary.

• Glenlore Trails-Aurora Interactive Holiday Night Walk is Thursday to Sunday evenings, Dec. 4-Dec. 28, at 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Twp., one-mile walk through experience in wooded setting, ticket prices vary, purchase online at www.GlenloreTrails.com.

• Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo takes place evenings, select dates, Nov. 22-Jan. 4, outdoor event, adv. gen. advance ticket prices vary, free for children younger than 2, parking is $8, purchase tickets at https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights.

• Royal Oak Holidays features themed weekends of festive activities Nov. 21-Dec. 21, including visits with Santa and skating at The Rink at Royal Oak at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, www.royaloakholidays.com.

• Horse drawn carriage rides and Santa visits are at select times, Saturdays-Sundays, through Dec. 21, and Dec. 24, Shain Park, 270 W. Merrill St., downtown Birmingham, www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Visits with Santa at Holiday Castle: through Dec. 23, (10 a.m.-7:55 p.m. Monday to Saturday and  noon-5:55 p.m. Sunday), Somerset Collection, Troy, North Grand Court. Guests can reserve a photo session with Santa at https://somersetevents.as.me/SantaPhotos, photo prices vary.

• Visits with Santa: daily Dec. 18-24, during Santa’s hours by walk-up only at The Village of Rochester Hills Outdoor Shopping Center, Festival Park, 104 N. Adams Road, TheVORH.com. Visits with Santa’s Reindeer take place 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Dec. 21.

• “The Nightmare AFTER Christmas”: Dec. 26-27, Erebus Haunted Attraction, 18 S Perry St., Pontiac, Pontiac, winter nightmare packed with twisted elves, cursed cheer, and full-intensity terror. Guests may choose: Nice List — Grab a green glow stick for a calmer, family-friendly walkthrough with holiday cheer, or Naughty List — No glow stick, full show. Guests are asked to donate pairs of new mittens, gloves, or hats for children and adults in need. Tickets are at https://hauntedpontiac.com/. Ticket prices vary.

• The Village of Rochester Hills shopping center is hosting “Trees For A Cause” featuring 10 decorated Christmas trees, each created by a local nonprofit organization. Visitors can view the decorated trees and then cast an in-person vote inside the Village Art Gallery for their favorite through Dec. 31. The gallery is located between Chico’s and Williams Sonoma at the Village of Rochester Hills at 104 N Adams Road, Rochester Hills. The nonprofit receiving the most votes will be awarded a $5,000 donation, courtesy of The Village of Rochester Hills.

• Innovation Hills Holiday Lights Display is offered 5-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday until Jan. 11. Holiday lights along walking paths at Innovation Hills Park, 2800 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills. Parking in the main parking lot is $1.50/hour, payable through ParkMobile (app, QR code, text, or call) or purchase an Annual Pass, www.rochesterhills.org/departments/parks_and_natural_resources/trailsandparks/innovationhills.php.

• The Big Bright Light Show is 5 p.m.-midnight through Jan. 18, with buildings illuminated with holiday lights, downtown Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi.com.

• Magic of Lights: hours are 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21-Dec. 11; then from Dec. 12-Jan. 3, hours are 6-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday; holiday hours are 6-9 p.m. (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, NYE, closed on New Year’s Day), Pine Knob Music Theatre Parking Area, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Twp., ticket passes must be purchased online at https://magicoflights.com/locations/detroit-mi, prices vary.

• Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo: evenings, select dates, Nov. 22-Jan. 4, outdoor event, adv. gen. advance ticket prices vary, free for children younger than 2, parking is $8, purchase tickets at https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights.

• Holiday Stroll: Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, and 22-23, holiday lights, Santa, characters, carolers, at Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Road, Orion Twp., ticket prices vary, register at www.canterburyvillage.com, free for ages 2 and younger, free parking.

• Holly Dazzle: evenings, Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 22-24, 26-28 and 31, at 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly. Winter wonderland stroll along a three-quarter mile outdoor trail, adorned with Christmas scenes, 248-634-5552, purchase tickets at www.hollydazzles.com.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Support resources

• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.