Holiday festivities happening in Oakland County – The Oakland Press

Here is a list of upcoming holiday activities and events, including tree lightings, holiday markets, and visits with Santa.

• Birmingham Winter Markt and Holiday Tree Lighting: 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. Also, horse drawn carriage rides and Santa visits are at select times, Saturdays-Sundays, through Dec. 21, and Dec. 24.

• Christmas Tree Lighting: 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: Dec. 5-6, downtown Ortonville, activities begin with holiday cookie decorating at the library at 3 p.m. Dec. 5, letters to Santa at 4 p.m. at Old Town Hall, crafts 4:30-7 p.m. at Edna Burton Senior Center, then a 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.

• Auburn Hills tree lighting: 6 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Auburn Hills, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Holiday Train, family activities, www.facebook.com/AHRecreation.

• The Holly Jolly Folly: 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: 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.

• Oxford parade: 1 p.m. Dec. 6, starting at Crawford Street, to Washington St. (M-24) then East Street, downtown Oxford. Afterward, visits with Santa at Centennial Park, www.facebook.com/OxfordMichiganChamber.

• Annual Holiday Extravaganza: Dec. 6, 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.

• Holly Days: Dec. 6, Light Up the Grand Parade at 5:30 p.m. on Grand River Avenue, Farmington, followed by the holiday tree lighting at The Warner Mansion, 33805 Grand River Ave. Earlier in the day, Greens, Gifts & Giving Market and train rides are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. Donations of non-perishable food, books, and/or unwrapped toys will be collected by Farmington Area Goodfellows at the market. Stories & Crafts with Mrs. Claus at Farmington Community Library, 1-4 p.m., photos with Santa at Farmington Garage, 12:30-4 p.m., www.downtownfarmington.org.

• Holiday Home Tour: 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.

• Community Tree Lighting Ceremony: 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.

• Kris Kringle Market: 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.

• Holly Dickens Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays, through 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.

• A Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus: 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.

• Annual Toys For Tots Toy Drive: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Arsenal Harley-Davidson, 4405 Highland Road, Waterford Twp., www.arsenalharley.com/toys-for-tots-harley-davidson-dealership–toys-for-tots.

• Cocoa and Crafts with Santa: 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: 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.

• Birmingham Youth Assistance Breakfast with Santa: 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.

• Tannenbaum Teas: Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, guided Holiday Walk tour, premiere tea, a professional portrait of your group and valet parking, https://meadowbrookhall.org. Tickets are $125 each.

• Cranbrook House Holiday Tours and Teas: Dec. 9-13, Cranbrook House, 380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, 248-645-3149, cranbrook.edu. Cranbrook House Holiday Tour – $25 per person, Cranbrook House Holiday Tour & Tea – $70 per person.

• Blue Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Rd., Waterford Twp., 248-681-0040, free. A service of remembrance and encouragement. All are welcome in person or online at https://waterfordcumc.org/upcoming-events/blue-christmas-2.

• Candlelight Walking Tours: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, $8 members, $10 non-members, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.

• Visits with Santa: 9 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13, Hart Community Center, 495 Broadway, Davisburg, register for a half hour time slot by Dec. 11, as space permits, digital photo with Santa, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and decorating a cookie. Mailbox for Letters to Santa, $5 per child  for residents and $7 for non-residents, adults free, www.springfield-twp.us/departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php.

• Annual Victorian Christmas: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12, and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, Victorian Era reenactors, registration is not required, to pre-register for discounted event pricing, visit www.TroyHistoricVillage.org or call 248-524-3570.

• The Polar Express Trolley Ride: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 13, starting at Stadium Drive Elementary School, Lake Orion. The ride includes a reading of “The Polar Express” book with the Conductor and Mrs. Claus, and singing Christmas carols, with family photos with Santa, cookies, and a bell ornament keepsake, rides are 30 minutes, tickets for time slots are at www.shopocmainstreets.com/product/polar-express-ticket-2025, $12 each.

• Wreaths Across America Day: Dec. 13, at Oakview Cemetery 1032 North Main St., Royal Oak, community effort to lay wreaths at veterans grave sites, service at noon, on Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 13. For information, contact Mike Sherman at 248-224-5973.

• Soulful Santa Workshop & Holiday Market: Dec. 13, inside the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield. The Holiday market will be open from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., while the Soulful Santa workshop will be open from 12-3 p.m., photo opportunity with Black Santa, costumed characters, as well as ornament making, Christmas card, Do-it-yourself gift and letters to Santa stations, hot Cocoa Bar, tickets at bit.ly/SoulfulSantaWorkshop and at the door, as space allows, 248-796-4620, www.cityofsouthfield.com/departments/parks-recreation.

• Santa Claus at the Museum: 1-3 p.m. Dec. 13, Royal Oak Historical Society Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, Royal Oak, holiday refreshments, photo opportunities and visits with Santa, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com, 248-439-1501, free admission.

• Holiday House Tours and All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit: noon-4 p.m. select Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays in December, 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.

• Visits with Santa: Friday-Sunday through Dec. 14 and 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, Nov. 29-Dec. 21.

• 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.

Holiday markets

• Holiday Gift and Book Sale: Dec. 3-6, White Lake Township Library, 11005 Elizabeth Lake Road, White Lake Twp., whitelakelibrary.org, 248-698-4942.

• Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s (BBAC) Holiday Shop: 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.

• Gifts & Greens Market: 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.

• Twin Lakes Gingerbread House Challenge: 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.

• 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, through Dec. 20, hours vary, Huron Valley Council for the Arts, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland Twp., https://huronvalleyarts.org.

Lighted attractions

• Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights: 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: 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.

• Magic of Lights: Nov. 21-Jan. 3, 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.

• Royal Oak Holidays: 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. The rink is a collection site for The Bottomless Toy Chest, www.royaloakholidays.com.

• 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.

• Big Bright Light Show: 5 p.m.-midnight Nov. 24-Jan. 18. The Big, Bright Light Show will illuminate buildings downtown, www.downtownrochestermi.com.

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