Downtown Rochester

2023 Fire & Ice Festival in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

The Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back January 20th and 21st for another year of family fun and winter festivities that you can enjoy for FREE. The community celebration will be packed with events like axe throwing, cornhole, climbing wall, ice sculptures along Main Street, fireworks on both nights, The Big, Bright Light Show, live music, TasteFest, and so much more!

“The Fire & Ice Festival is a fun-filled opportunity to get out of the house, even in the depths of winter, to enjoy some fresh air and regain a sense of community. The event attracts thousands of people from across the region to get a taste of how joyful and active winter can really be.”

-Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter

The Fire & Ice Festival runs from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday, January 20th and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. The fireworks are at 8 p.m. both days.

Take a look at our video for a preview of the fun:

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2020 Fire & Ice Festival in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

The Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back January 17th–19th for another year of family fun and winter festivities that you can enjoy for FREE. The three-day community celebration will be packed with events like tube sledding, ice skating, dog sled rides, cross-country skiing, ice sculptures along Main Street, fireworks on Friday and Saturday night, The Big, Bright Light Show, live music, TasteFest, and so much more!

The Fire & Ice Festival will be the inaugural event to commemorate Oakland County’s bicentennial year.

“We can’t think of a better way to kick off celebrating Oakland County’s 200th year than with the Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester,” said County Executive David Coulter. “We welcome everyone to attend our free winter festival to take part in the winter fun.”

The Fire & Ice Festival runs from 5 – 9 p.m. Friday, January 17; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, January 18; and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, January 19. The fireworks are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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Fire & Ice Festival in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

The Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back January 18th–20th for another year of family fun and winter festivities that you can enjoy for FREE. The three-day community celebration will be packed with events like tube sledding, ice skating, dog sled rides, cross-country skiing, ice sculptures along Main Street, fireworks on Friday and Saturday night, The Big, Bright Light Show, live music, TasteFest, and so much more!

Take a look at our video for a preview of the fun:

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The Big, Bright Light Show

Oakland County, MI Government 2 Comments
Wide shot of a decorated downtown covered in red, green, blue, and orange holiday lights.

Celebrate the joy of the holiday season in Downtown Rochester at The Big, Bright Light Show! Up and down Main Street, buildings will be covered by more than 1 million lights. This nightly, free event lights up Downtown through January 6th, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

Preview the dazzling lights before you go:

Since 2006, the show has become an annual tradition for thousands of people from across the region. The festivities begin each year prior to Thanksgiving during Lagniappe when the lights are turned on for the first time and the town celebrates by giving a “little something extra” to guests.

Throughout the season, spectators gather to walk through Downtown, see the many-colored lights, and shop at decorated stores. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday, until 9:00 p.m.

New this year, The Big, Bright Light Show has been extended past January 6th to illuminate every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the Fire and Ice Festival on January 18th – 20th, giving visitors more time to enjoy the famous lights.

Blue and orange lights are draped next to a lamp post labeled "Downtown Rochester."

Learn more about The Big, Bright Light Show at Downtown Rochester’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Share your photos using #TheBigBrightLightshow and #ChristmasCity.

Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.

The Holidays Arrive in Oakland County with Lagniappe and the Big, Bright Light Show

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Open the holiday season in the merriest of ways in Downtown Rochester at the 46th Annual Lagniappe Celebration. Head to Main Street on the evening of November 19th to get free snacks and trinkets from participating stores, listen to strolling carollers, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, and watch the inaugural lighting of The Big, Bright Light Show!

Stores and activities open for Lagniappe at 6:00 p.m. and stay open until 9:00 p.m. that night, with The Big, Bright Light Show lighting at 7:00 p.m. Street merchants will add to the excitement of Lagniappe, Creole for “a little something extra,” tradition of passing out gifts to passersby. Attendees can also catch a special appearance from Santa Claus and hear some holiday music performances.

Watch our video for a preview of this season’s festivities:

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