The Big Bright Light Show

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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It’s Merry and Bright at Lagniappe and The Big, Bright Light Show!

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Kick off the holiday season in the merriest of ways in Downtown Rochester at the 45th annual Lagniappe celebration. Enjoy strolling carolers, free horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa and his real reindeer and, of course, the lighting of The Big, Bright Light Show!

It all starts on Monday, November 20th with holiday festivities going from 6 – 9 p.m. Merchants will add to the jolly excitement with the Lagniappe tradition – Lagniappe comes from the Creole word that means “a little something extra” – of passing out snacks and trinkets to passersby. This popular event, combined with The Big, Bright Light Show, brings thousands of visitors to view the lighting of over 1 million glimmering twinkle lights draped over the buildings on Main Street.

If you haven’t experienced the magic of Lagniappe yet, we highly recommend it! It’s an evening filled with happiness, joy, and delight – a perfect start to the holiday season. Take a look at our video and get a sneak peek.

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No Snow? No Problem for Fire & Ice Festival!

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

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In spite of unseasonably warm temperatures and no snow in the forecast, the Fire & Ice Festival in Rochester will fire up this weekend, Jan. 20th – 22nd. The festival, sponsored by Oakland County Credit Union, is replacing some of its winter-driven events with a variety of outdoor family-friendly activities from Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Admission and events will remain free.

“‘The show must go on,’ as they say in show biz,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “Families from all over Michigan will still be able to experience many outdoor activities and the nice weather at the Fire & Ice Festival.” Continue reading →