Fundraisers\/Charitable events<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Southfield Police Department in partnership with Southfield Public Schools community toy drive for kids in need, \u201cStuff the BearCat\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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 \u2013 The Regency Room, 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, www.birminghamyouthassistance.org\/breakfast-with-santa.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cCrafted in Kindness,\u201d 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\u2019s Adults 50 & Better Division. Crafters will be entered for a chance to win prizes from The Hawk Makerspace, www.fhgov.com.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
Holiday activities<\/p>\n
\u2022 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\u2019s Tent, \u201cRun like the Dickens Race\u201d is Dec. 6, register at www.hollydickensfestival.org.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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,\u00a0 www.allinbirmingham.com.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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\u2019s 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\u2019more 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 \u2013 sponsored by the Rochester Mills Beer Co. with proceeds to benefit local charitable organizations, downtownrochestermi.com or 248-656-0060.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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+.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Community Tree Lighting Ceremony is 3-6 p.m. Dec. 6, tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., crafts, games, hot cocoa, s\u2019mores, story time, Springfield Township Parks & Recreation, 12000 Davisburg Road, Davisburg, www.springfield-twp.us.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
Holiday markets<\/p>\n
\u2022 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,\u00a0 at The Vault, plus select dates in January and February, www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61568281307212.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center\u2019s (BBAC) Holiday Shop is Dec. 4-19, (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.\u2013Sat; 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Corner Shower and Laundry\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
Parks\/Outdoor activities<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov\/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.<\/p>\n
Support resources<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24\/7.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Common Ground\u2019s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24\/7 \u2013 call or text 800-231-1127.<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n