Oakland County community calendar Dec. 28 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.

• AAA is once again offering its “Tow to Go” program to help keep impaired drivers off the road this holiday season. The service will be active from Dec. 24 to 6 a.m. Jan. 2, 2026, across select states, including Michigan. Call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO. Tow to Go provides a free, confidential ride and tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Open to both AAA members and non-members, the program is designed as a last-resort when other options, like a designated driver or rideshare, fall through.

• Mike Morse Law Firm offers its annual “Ride Free NYE” campaign. 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.

Holiday activities

• 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.

• Holiday House Tours and All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit takes place noon-4 p.m. select days in December, including 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 through 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.

• HollyDazzle: 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.

• 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, 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

Library activities

• The Clarkston Independence District Library will be hosting the Battlefield Trust American Revolution Museum. The national mobile museum of the American Revolution features display panels and interactive digital kiosks. It will be on display, from Jan. 4-10, (closing at 2 p.m. Jan. 10),  in the youth activities room at the library, 6495 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, 248-625-2212, https://cidlibrary.org. An opening ceremony will be held, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 5, sponsored by Sashabaw Plains Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

• Rochester Hills Public Library and the Stoney Creek Daughters of the American Revolution announce the American Revolution Experience exhibit, Jan. 11-17, at the library,  500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. The DAR will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Jan. 11. The exhibit is a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, www.rhpl.org.

• Rochester Hills Public Library presents a three-part programming series on caregiving. An Evening with Catherine Newman is 7 p.m. Jan. 8, with a visit from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Newman, (doors open at 6:30 p.m.); “Caregiving” documentary screening is 6 p.m. Jan. 27; and “It Takes a Village: Caregiving Panel” is 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29, register at calendar.rhpl.org.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• “Discover Michigan Skiing” learn-to-ski program is offered at select times in January at participating Michigan ski areas, including Mt. Holly in Holly, Pine Knob in Independence Twp., and Mt. Brighton in Brighton. The program includes: a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass for a set fee of $60. For registration information, visit www.goskimichigan.com/discover-michigan-skiing.

• Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skiing, a two-hour class is offered Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7 or Feb. 28, at Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. The two-hour class includes skis, poles and boot rental. The cost is $35/person/session and each session is limited to 20 participants. Classes meet at the boathouse. Preregistration and payment is required by calling 248-625-2044 Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or visiting www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• The Rink at Stine Community Park is open daily through the season, (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day), 241 Town Center, at the corner of Town Center and Civic Center Drive at the City of Troy Civic Center Campus, free admission, skate rentals are $3 residents, $5 non-residents, https://rec.troymi.gov/parks___facilities/the_rink/index.php, weather permitting.

• Riley Park Ice Rink in downtown Farmington open through February, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, www.downtownfarmington.org, open daily, weather permitting, free admission, bring skates, https://farmgov.com/Community/Parks-and-Recreation/Riley-Park-Ice-Rink.

• 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.