Oakland County community calendar Nov. 30 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Fundraisers/Charitable events

• Rochester and Rochester Hills food drive competition to support Neighborhood House, is through Dec. 1. Rochester residents should drop off non-perishable food items at 400 Sixth Street in Rochester, while Rochester Hills residents should bring donations to 1000 Rochester Hills Drive in Rochester Hills, ranh.org.

• Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s Shop & Champagne fundraiser: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 3, featuring sparkling beverages, a gourmet strolling supper and early-access shopping with tickets at $90 in advance at BBArtCenter.org or call 248-644-0866.

• Easterseals MORC 10th annual Cheers Gala is 7 p.m. Dec. 5, at M1 Concourse Event Center in Pontiac, holiday fundraising event to honor donors and community partners, features strolling dinner, cocktails, a silent auction, a photo station, interactive gaming and casino activities, live entertainment, tickets are $150+ for general admission at www.cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/cheers.

• Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan’s 60th Annual Guild Gala is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6, at Westin Southfield, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, www.deturbanleague.org, tickets are $100 for adults, $50 for youth.

• The Southfield Police Department in partnership with Southfield Public Schools community toy drive for kids in need, “Stuff the BearCat” is 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6, in the parking lot of Southfield A&T High School, 24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, featuring a guest appearance by Santa. For information, call the Southfield Police Department at (248)-796-5300 or visitwww.cityofsouthfield.com.

• Birmingham Youth Assistance Breakfast with Santa is Dec. 7, at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. Times available: 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Townsend Hotel – The Regency Room, 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, www.birminghamyouthassistance.org/breakfast-with-santa.

• The Bloomfield Township Police Department is hosting Holiday Charity Campaign-Gift Cards for Veterans. The police department is collecting gift cards to any major box stores and grocers to distribute to multiple Oakland County veterans and their families this holiday season. Gift cards can be donated through Dec. 18 at the front desk of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, 4200 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Twp., https://bloomfieldtwp.org/police.

• “Crafted in Kindness,” a handmade hat and mitten drive, at The Hawk Makerspace. Knitters, crafters can donate crafted items from Nov. 29-Dec. 20, which will then be distributed to older adults in need through the City’s Adults 50 & Better Division. Crafters will be entered for a chance to win prizes from The Hawk Makerspace, www.fhgov.com.

• To fulfill a holiday wish list in the Senior Secret Santa program, contact Teresa at 248-473-1826 or tjergovich@fhgov.com. Wrapped gifts must be dropped off at the Costick Activities Center at 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills by Dec. 5.

• Farmington Hills police and firefighter/paramedics are teaming up with Toys for Tots, through Dec. 16, donate unwrapped toys in the lobby of the Farmington Hills Fire and Police Departments on the campus of Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, www.fhgov.com.

Holiday activities

• Holly Dickens Festival is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 14, downtown Holly. Stroll the streets of historic Battle Alley, visit shops, enjoy strolling Christmas carolers, street performers, holiday lights, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, children may visit with Santa in the Tiny Tim Children’s Tent, “Run like the Dickens Race” is Dec. 6, register at www.hollydickensfestival.org.

• Santa visits are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30, and select times on Saturdays-Sundays, through Dec. 21, and Dec. 5, and Dec. 24, downtown Birmingham. Free horse drawn carriage rides are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 30, and select times, Saturdays-Sundays, through Dec. 21, and Dec. 24,  www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Annual holiday lights celebration is 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 2, ceremony, tree lighting and 20-foot candle, carols, and Santa will arrive via fire truck at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, followed by free cookies and hot cocoa, and Santa visits inside Fire Station #5 on the campus of City Hall, www.fhgov.com.

• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2, on the front lawn of the Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road. The City of Southfield opening remarks, followed by the arrival of Santa, escorted by the Southfield A&T High School Marching Band, to officially light the city tree. The event includes a petting zoo, ice carving demonstrations, live entertainment, take-and-make crafts for children, cookies and hot chocolate. Visits with Santa inside the Southfield Pavilion, (248) 796-4620, www.cityofsouthfield.com.

• Birmingham Winter Markt and Holiday Tree Lighting is Friday-Sunday, Dec. 5-7 (4-9 p.m. Dec. 5; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 6; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7), Shain Park, 270 W. Merrill St., downtown Birmingham, Tree Lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. Dec. 5, local artists and vendors, Santa House visits with Santa, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7. Free carriage rides are 3-7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7. Snow Queen and Frozen Princess Appearances from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 6, www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Annual City of Troy Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, at a new location, at The Rink at Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center Drive, Troy. Ice skating will begin at 5 p.m. and the Holiday Lighting Ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. live entertainment, photos with Santa, bring camera, free admission, hot chocolate to purchase, bring ice skates or rent them for $3 residents, $5 non-residents, troymi.gov/holidaylighting.

• Christmas in the Village is 3 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Ortonville, lighted Christmas parade at 7 p.m., followed by Christmas Tree Lighting. Activities on Dec. 6 are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and include bake and craft sale and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Old Mill, downtown Ortonville, www.facebook.com/brandontwprec.

• Kris Kringle Market is 4-10 p.m. Dec. 5 and noon-10 p.m. Dec. 6, West Fourth St. and Walnut, downtown Rochester, festive open-air holiday market, with holiday decorations, jewelry, unique gifts, and seasonal foods. Santa’s Village for children to visit with Santa Claus, Santa will be available until 9 p.m. both days. Story-time is at 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, s’more station, live entertainment at Music Stage presented by The Roxy. Ben Sharkey Band is 7 p.m. Friday and Paul & Oates is 7 p.m. Saturday. Warming tent – sponsored by the Rochester Mills Beer Co. with proceeds to benefit local charitable organizations, downtownrochestermi.com or 248-656-0060.

• The Holly Jolly Folly is 6 p.m. Dec. 5, at 1491 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, fundraiser for the Orion Lighted Christmas Parade, 248-802-5521, www.orionlightedparade.com, tickets are $60+.

• Orion Lighted Christmas Parade is at 6 p.m. Dec. 6, parade traverses from Florence Avenue to E. Flint Street to Broadway, downtown Lake Orion. After the parade, Santa Tent is open, across from the Fork and Pint restaurant (corner of Shadbolt and Broadway), www.orionlightedparade.com.

• Annual Holiday Extravaganza is Dec. 6, in downtown Pontiac. The parade is at 11 a.m. (Parade route will begin on Cesar E. Chavez Ave. at Montcalm Street, continue down Saginaw Street, and end at the Pontiac City Square.) Winter Fun Festival is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saginaw Street (between Huron – M59 and Water Street) with live ice carving competition, petting farm, pony rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Grinch and Whoville Friends, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, with community support from Auburn Hills, Waterford Twp. and White Lake Twp. The Run Elf Run race is at 8 a.m., Run Little Elves Run is 9 a.m. register for races, Holidayextravaganza.org.

• Holiday Home Tour is noon-5 p.m. Dec. 6. Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library annual fundraising event featuring six holiday decorated homes in the greater Rochester area. Tickets with a map to the homes can be purchased for $30 per person at rhpl.org/friends and picked up in the library lobby on Dec. 6.

• Twin Lakes Gingerbread House Challenge is noon-3 p.m. Dec. 6, at 455 Twin Lakes Drive, Oakland Twp. Tickets include a gingerbread house, decorations, lunch, shopping, and Chef Nate will be sharing Gingerbread decorating tips, www.golfgenius.com/pages/12118204522917055136, $53+ per child.

• Community Tree Lighting Ceremony is 3-6 p.m. Dec. 6, tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., crafts, games, hot cocoa, s’mores, story time, Springfield Township Parks & Recreation, 12000 Davisburg Road, Davisburg, www.springfield-twp.us.

• A Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, timed tickets in advance, $7 members, $10 nonmembers. Tickets required for 16 years and younger.

• Cocoa and Crafts with Santa is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Troy Historic Village, family-friendly activities, winter-themed games to get kids moving, a creative craft to take home, and a holiday selfie station for a memorable family photo, registration is not required, to register, visit www.TroyHistoricVillage.org, 248-524-3570.

• Rochester parade is 2 p.m. Dec. 7, travelling down Main Street from the corner of Tienken and Rochester Road, Rochester, www.rrc-mi.com/christmas-parade. Local road closures begin at 1 p.m.

Holiday markets

• Holly Winter Market is 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30, at Venue One Eleven, 111 College Street, Holly, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7,  at The Vault, plus select dates in January and February, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568281307212.

• Holiday Market is 3-7 p.m. Dec. 3, Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., decorations, artisan crafts and specialty food items, www.facebook.com/OaklandCountyFarmersMarket, 248-858-5495.

• Holiday Gift and Book Sale is Dec. 3-6, presented by the Friends of the White Lake Township Library, 11005 Elizabeth Lake Road, White Lake Twp. Members only sale is 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3, memberships available at the door, whitelakelibrary.org.

• Gifts & Greens Market is Dec. 4-6, (5-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 6), at the Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 1550 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, annual fundraising market with hand-made arrangements of fresh greens, delectables and gifts, presented by Rochester Garden Club, RochesterGardenClub.org, $5 entrance fee opening gala on Thursday and $2 admission on Friday and Saturday.

• Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s (BBAC) Holiday Shop is Dec. 4-19, (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.–Sat; and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays) at BBAC, 1516 S. Cranbrook Road, Birmingham, featuring handmade gift items from hundreds of juried artists, free admission to Holiday Shop.

• 37th Annual South Lyon Holiday Shop: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6, South Lyon High School, 1000 N. Lafayette St., South Lyon, www.facebook.com/SLfbHolidayShop.

• Corner Shower and Laundry’s Annual Cookie Walk Bake Sale: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 7, at Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, 248-214-3611, free to attend, cookie prices vary.

• Handmade for the Holidays: Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 20, hours vary, Huron Valley Council for the Arts, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland Twp., https://huronvalleyarts.org.

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.