Oakland County community calendar Jan. 4 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Community activities

• National Radon Action Month is January. Radon test kits for homes are available at no cost to Oakland County residents at Health Division offices: North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph, Building 34E, Pontiac or South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield. ore than five test kits, 800-848-5533, epa.gov/radon, oakgov.com/health.

• The City of Farmington Hills is hosting free child car seat installation and inspections, 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 11, by appointment via email to FDevents@FHgov.com, at Fire Station #3, 29260 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills. Appointments must be made by Jan. 9.

• Royal Oak Public Library and Ferndale Area District Library to host Preschool & Early Learning Fair, 6:3Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed, Jan. 19). Contact the office ahead of time if you want m0-8 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 13, at Royal Oak Farmer’s Market, 316 E. Eleven Mile Rd., Royal Oak, fadl.org/youth, ropl.mi.org.

• 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 lights

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

• 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 American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit, a national mobile pop-up exhibit will be on display from Jan. 4-10, (closing at 2 p.m. Jan. 10), in the youth activities room at the Clarkston Independence District Library, 6495 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, 248-625-2212, https://cidlibrary.org, sponsored by Sashabaw Plains Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The exhibit is a collaborative project of the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution featuring display panels and interactive digital kiosks.

• Rochester Hills Public Library and the Stoney Creek Daughters of the American Revolution announce the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit will be on display Jan. 11-17, on the 2nd floor of the library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester, www.rhpl.org. The DAR will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Jan. 11.

• David Greer, retired professor of History at Rochester Christian University, will give a talk on the history of the American Revolutionary War, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester.  Admission is free, and registration is available at rhpl.org/calendar.

• 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.

• Library Centennial Kickoff is 3 p.m. Jan. 10, Orion Township Public Library, celebrate 100 years of the library, library time capsule. Refreshments will be provided, www.facebook.com/OrionLibrary.

• Ferndale Library Community Engagement Session is 6 p.m. Jan. 12, at Ferndale High School Media Center, 881 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale. The staff of the Ferndale Area District Library invites residents to take part in a collaborative evening designed to help shape the library’s future, complimentary refreshments, no registration needed, fadl.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities

• Huron Valley Community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with activities including an art and writing contest, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit Jan. 4-24, at The SHAC, 125 S. Main St., Milford, film and discussion events, educational programming, a community march, and a meal drive to benefit the Community Sharing Outreach Center. Submissions are open to all ages for the art and writing contest inspired by the theme “The Great Force of Nonviolence,” and due Jan. 9.

• ”The Third Harmony” short documentary film presentation is at 7 p.m. Jan. 12, Milford Independent Cinema, 945 E Summit St., Milford, milfordcinema.org. Donations to support the cinema are encouraged.

• MLK Youth Service Awards to be held 7–9 p.m. Jan. 13, at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, to recognize youth for their community service. Pre-registration is required at www.mlktaskforcemi.org/events-1/youth-service-awards or call (248) 629-0656.

• The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, in partnership with Forgotten Harvest Food Bank, to host a food drive, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 16, at the Southfield Parks & Recreation parking lot. Families in need may drive through the circular drive and follow posted directions to receive a free food box. Food boxes will be available to the first 125 households. For information, call the MLK Task Force hotline at (248) 924-9655 or visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org

• “Envisioning a Just Future-Lessons from the Civil Rights Era” is 3-5 p.m. Jan. 17, Milford Public Library, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Professor Emerita and author June Manning Thomas will lead a discussion on racial and social justice, drawing on her experiences during desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement, www.milfordlibrary.info.

• 21st Annual March on Main Street is 1 p.m. Jan. 18, (Line-up at 12:30 p.m., beginning at Prospect Hill Shopping Center,  512 Highland Ave., Milford, to The Warehouse at River’s Edge, 125 S Main St. #700, Milford, music, refreshments, and recognition of art and writing contest winners.

• Area residents are encouraged to donate chili ingredients to support local families. Donations may be dropped at collection sites throughout Milford and Highland. Volunteers will assemble meals on MLK Day, 5-8 p.m. Jan. 19, at The Warehouse at River’s Edge, 125 S Main St. #700, Milford. For information, visit www.HVMLK.org.

• 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk Celebration is at 9 a.m. Jan. 19, beginning with an opening ceremony in the gymnasium at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield Following the ceremony, participants will continue the Peace Walk to the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, for an 11 a.m. program featuring a keynote presentation by the Selma Foot Soldiers, dance performances by the Dance Zone Center and The Hindu Temple Rhythm Dancer, and vendors, hosted by the City of Southfield and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force. For information, visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org or call (248) 790-0531.

Museums

• Wheels of Time lecture Doug Ritter, retired GM Truck Brand Quality Manager, will talk about GM Truck history, 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Pontiac Transportation Museum: 250 W. Pike St., Pontiac, pontiactransportationmuseum.org, 248 977 4410, free lecture, donations appreciated.

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 Royal Oak: ice skating at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, weather permitting, www.therinkatroyaloak.com.

• 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.