Outdoor Activities

Oakland County Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Holly

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Three skiers ride down Mt. Holly in a dark Michigan night lit up by the lights of the resort.

Mt. Holly is one of three locations to ski and snowboard in Oakland County. The resort hosts 20 trail runs, seven chairlifts, four rope tows, two SunKid Wonder Carpets, and Southeastern Michigan’s only high-speed detachable chairlift. Skiers and snowboarders of all levels can discover fun at Mt. Holly, whether you’re searching for easier trail runs to try, terrain parks to style on, or expert level slopes to race your friends. Visit “where the north begins” and stay active during this chilly time of year.

Located in Groveland Township, Mt. Holly is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Watch this quick preview of the resort before you head out:

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Oakland County Holiday Lights Map

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Celebrate the season with a tour of holiday light displays in and around Oakland County! Show off your decorated property or visit one of the many holiday light displays using the 2nd annual Oakland County Holiday Lights Map. Use the map below to discover festive homes like My Light Show in Waterford, community displays such as the Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester, and popular attractions like Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo.

Submit your display or find one to visit using the interactive Oakland County Holiday Lights Map. Residents, communities, and businesses in the area can submit their own properties and, once approved, they will show up on the map for others to visit in person.

Holiday Lights Map

Submit Your Holiday Lights Display

Enter your own property into the Oakland County Holiday Lights Map by following the instructions below:

  • Visit the Oakland County Holiday Lights Map webpage from your mobile device or desktop computer. Mac desktop users should use Safari or Firefox for optimal experience.
  • Press the “+ Submit Your Light Display” button on the top right corner of the webpage.
  • Upload a picture of your decorated property, the title of your holiday display, your address, and a description of what visitors should expect to see.
  • Press the “Accept Terms and Submit” button.

That’s it, you are done! Wait a few hours and check back to view your property on the Oakland County Holiday Lights Map.

Please note, all submissions will go through an approval process before showing up on the Oakland County Holiday Lights Map. Submissions without a photo will not be accepted. Only submit photos of your own property and be aware that by uploading your submission, you are encouraging people to visit your property.

Check out the 2018 Oakland County Holiday Lights Map to submit and travel to your favorite decorated displays in and around Oakland County. Before planning your trip, continue reading below to learn about three of last year’s holiday lights displays and their charitable impact upon the community.

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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.

Haunted Halloween Fun & Fright Across Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Jack O' Lanterns lined up on a stone wall on dark, fall night in front of the Van Hoosen Museum in Rochester Hills, MI.

This Halloween, Oakland County is crawling with haunted houses, spooky trails, and scary events. Whether you’re looking to scream, heighten your heartbeat, or have fun with your friends and family, Oakland County is the place to be. To see the full list of scary events and locations, click on the button below:

List of Haunted Fun in Oakland County

Oakland County is home to one of Michigan’s most famous haunted attractions: Erebus, four floors of terrifying thrills and unforgettable moments in Pontiac. Other spooky locations are scattered across the county and include the Tunnel of Terror in Rochester, the Rotten Manor in Holly, and the Haunted Junction in Farmington.

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The time for fun and fright has arrived, and all of these haunted locations in Oakland County are filled with both! Enjoy your Halloween, and, if you’re searching for more fun this fall, take a look at our list of family-friendly events.

Do you know of any other haunted Halloween fun in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leave a comment below.

Visit the Oakland County website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more news and fun year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.

Labor Day Events in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Though the summer is coming to a close and schools will soon be in session, there are still plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy! On Labor Day weekend, Americans across the country will be enjoying a break from work to celebrate America’s workforce and the American Labor Movement.

Whether you celebrate with a backyard barbecue, or at the annual Michigan State Fair, Oakland County is full of Labor Day activities. Be sure to check out our list for the full roster of Labor Day Weekend events below:

List of Labor Day Events in Oakland County

Looking to get outside and enjoy the fresh air? Try the 11th Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk and Run in Rochester! In the mood to pursue some fine art, sample tasty treats, and rock out? Arts, Beats, and Eats festival in Royal Oak will host their annual Juried Fine Art show, while offering food from 40 local restaurants and have over 200 musical performances across nine stages. The Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly will take you back to the time of knights, castles, and more. There are activities for everyone this Labor Day weekend!

Do you know of any other Labor Day events in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leave a comment below.

Visit the Oakland County website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more news and fun year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.