Holiday Celebrations Throughout Oakland County

Twin, decorated trees covered in twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments sit on either side of a lit fireplace.

The excitement and anticipation that arrives with the holiday season is in the air. During this celebratory time, there are many seasonal events happening in Oakland County. You’ll find everything from parades, light shows, and seasonal excursions to special performances, holiday markets, and craft fairs.

View our list of holiday happenings using the button below:

List of Holiday Happenings in Oakland County

Signature events include the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights, the Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester, and the Dickens Festival in Holly. Whether you’re searching for something to do with your kids, friends, or family, you are sure to find a jolly time in Oakland County!

Twinkling lights illuminate two giraffe stands at the entrance of the Detroit Zoo.

Do you know about a holiday celebration happening in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, by contacting us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leaving a comment below.


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

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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Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Tours

Thank you for your interest in the Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk. For the Oakland County Blog’s latest edition of Holiday Walk, see here.

Are you looking for an Oakland County event that will fill you with holiday cheer right in time for the merry season? Meadow Brook’s Annual Holiday Walk is going on now and runs through December 23rd, 2017. Get excited to walk through this exquisite, early-20th century mansion decorated with twinkling holiday lights, trees, ornaments, and more, making it a true holiday wonderland.

This 110-room Tudor-revival style mansion was constructed between 1926 and 1929 and was once the home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge and co-founder of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson. Matilda loved spending her time filling Meadow Brook Hall with lavish furniture, paintings, and art from several centuries and around the world. These collections are still present in the home today and reflect the lavish lifestyles of the era of the American Industrialists of the early 20th century. Fun fact: The Tommy Dorsey Band and singer Frank Sinatra performed in the house at Matilda’s 25th birthday party.  In 1957, the Wilson’s donated their entire estate and an additional $2 million to found what would become Oakland University. Guests can now take a step back into history as they tour this National Historic Landmark.

Today, Meadow Brook Hall hosts parties, events, and special events such as the Holiday Walking Tours, and new this year, Holiday Lights & Winter Nights. On December 11 & December 18th – 23rd, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., guests can stroll down the lit path to the Land of Santa and Sweets to warm up by a fire and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. To make this festive season extra special, it is also offering a Kids Candy Adventure, a mailbox to the North Pole, and special guided candlelight tours open throughout the duration of the holiday season.

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Light Up the Night in Novi!

The big day is almost here! Be there this Friday, December 1st to Light Up the Night on the Novi Civic Center Campus. It’s a festive and fun way to welcome the holiday season with family and friends. Enjoy three hours of holiday entertainment, starting at 6 p.m. and going through 9 p.m.

Mayor Bob Gatt and a very special visitor from the North Pole will kick off this electric holiday event with a tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. New for this year’s Light Up the Night is a 22-foot-tall tree that will be visible from 10 Mile Road all season long! Weather permitting, a magnificent fireworks display will begin soon after the tree is lit.

There’s so much holiday fun and joy to be had at this free community event including a craft show; family activities and games; s’mores and cookies; a petting farm; miniature train rides, ice sculptures; and reindeer. Food trucks will offer items for purchase and you’ll enjoy live entertainment featuring Mexico Lindo Ballet Folklorico, Family Self Defense Martial ArtsNovi Middle School Orchestra, and John the Magician.

“This is truly one of my favorite nights of the year,” said Novi Mayor Bob Gatt. “We are a very special community and this doesn’t just happen. It’s the people here who make it so great, and seeing everyone come together at Light Up the Night is a great way to kick off the holidays.”

Take a look at our video for a sneak peek. It will surely put you in the holiday spirit!

Grab your family and friends and head to the Novi Civic Center Campus this Friday. For more details, visit the City of Novi’s website and follow along with them on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope to see you there!


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Take in the Merriment and Joy of the Holiday Season!

Can you feel the excitement and anticipation in the air? The holiday season is officially here and we’re thrilled to share our list of holiday events happening in Oakland County. There are so many ways to delight in the magic of the season during this special time of year.

View our list of Holiday Happenings. You’ll find everything from parades and seasonal excursions to performances, holiday markets, and craft fairs. Kids, young and old, are sure to have a jolly time!

Please check event websites for dates and times and note that some events are one day only.

Check out more Things to Do in Oakland County


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