Holiday activities, light displays and parades happening in Oakland County

There are plenty of upcoming activities and events to ring in the holiday season, including tree lightings, holiday light displays, parades and visits with Santa. For the latest information on event times and dates, check the event websites.

• Holiday Walk is offered 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 24-Dec. 23, most dates, self-guided indoor tour of the three main floors of historic Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, filled with magnificent holiday sights and splendid decorations, https://meadowbrookhall.org/holidays.

• Winter Wonder Lights is 5:30 p.m,-10 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 30, most nights, on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, in Rochester on the campus of Oakland University, meadowbrookholidays.com, ticket prices vary, https://meadowbrookhall.org/holidays.

• The Great Decorate- Fostering Hope for the Holidays is Nov. 24-Dec. 31, to benefit metro Detroit-based foster teens in need. Participating downtown Birmingham businesses decorate with holiday trees and creative window displays. Cast votes for favorite display by donating any amount at www.TheGreatDecorate.com, Nov. 24-Dec. 31.

• Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll opens at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 and Friday to Sunday, Nov. 24-Dec. 17, and Dec. 21-23, at Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Ct., Orion Twp., featuring festive lights and a light show, choreographed to classic holiday songs, live Christmas performances and holiday scenes. Santa will be available for visits and his personal mailbox also will be available. Tickets for Holiday Stroll, which takes place rain, snow, or shine, must be purchased online in advance at CanterburyVillage.com. Children younger than two, active military members and veterans admitted free. Ticket prices vary, parking extra.

• Oakland Mall in partnership with Canterbury Village to host Winter Wonderland Extravaganza, Nov. 24-Dec. 24, at Oakland Mall, 412 W 14 Mile Road, Troy. Canterbury Wonderland Walkthrough-A Magical Journey in the Old Sears Anchor Store, adorned with twinkling lights, Candyland, costumed characters, $14.99 tickets, and Canterbury Holiday Dinosaur Wonderland, $9.99 tickets. Purchase tickets at https://maingatetickets.com/events/view/1708.

• Downtown Royal Oak Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25, downtown Royal Oak (various participating businesses throughout the downtown area), www.romi.gov/1450/Small-Business-Saturday.

• Detroit Model Railroad Club Open House Shows are noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, and Dec. 9-10 at 104 North Saginaw St. Holly, 248-634-5811, dmrrc.org, $5 gen adm., $2 for ages 5-17 and $2 for younger than 5.

• Model Railroad Exhibit and Museum Holiday Drop-In Hours are noon-3 p.m. Nov. 24-26 and select dates through Dec. 30, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, $5 for and $3 for seniors and students, rochesterhills.org/museum. Advance tickets not required.

• Small Business Saturday is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25, downtown Birmingham, free activities and giveaways, Santa Walk at 9:30 a.m., horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate, free parking, Registration is required at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/events.

• Santa House and Carriage Rides take place on select dates, Nov. 25-Dec. 24, at Shain Park, Birmingham, register at www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Winter CARnival is 3-7 p.m. Nov. 25, Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold St., Northville, presented by Dr. William Demray of Preservation Dental. The event includes holiday displays, lights, music, entertainment, and food. In lieu of admission, Demray is asking attendees to bring in a new, unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals) to support the Corriveau Law office’s annual Toy’s for Tots toy drive with the national Marine Corps, www.facebook.com/docdemray.

• Holiday Tea in the Farmhouse is 10-11 a.m. Nov. 28, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, featuring local stories, and artifacts and documents normally in storage, at the 1840s Van Hoosen Farmhouse decorated for Christmas, register at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, $15/museum members, $20, non-members, includes tea and light snack.

• Magic of Lights drive-thru light show is 5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 17-Dec. 30, closes at 9 p.m. on holidays, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., https://magicoflights.com/events/clarkston, ticket prices vary.

• Glenlore Trails-Aurora is evenings on select dates, Nov. 17-Dec. 30, at 3860 Newton Road, Commerce Township, immersive illuminated forest, register for timed tickets at www.glenloretrails.com, $25 admission for ages 13+, $15 for ages 4-12, free for 3 and younger, $20 for seniors ages 65+.

• Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is Nov. 24-Jan. 7, (5-9 p.m. select weeknights and Sundays and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), outdoor event limited to the front half of the zoo, no access to animal habitats, adv gen admission tickets, $17+ each, children younger than 2 are admitted free, parking is $8, dzoo.org/wildlights.

• DDAM Clothing will be hosting DDAM Good Holi’ Day Pop Up, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Nov. 28, at Daxton Hotel’s Parlor II, 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham. The shopping experience supports small businesses including DDAM and The Good Day, and Detroit artist James Kaye will have art for sale. The event includes light bites and cocktails. A portion of proceeds go toward The Great Decorate, an annual holiday decorating contest and nonprofit to raise awareness and funds to support local foster teens.

• Holiday Market is 3-7 p.m. Nov. 29, at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/farmers-market.

• Pre-sale for the official Cookie Stroll tins, priced at $35 each (limit 2 per order), can be purchased online at www.downtownrochestermi.com/store. Tins must be picked up at the DDA’s Downtown Collaboration Studio, 431 Main, Rochester, by Nov. 30, to be ready for the Cookie Stroll to collect cookies, Dec. 2.

• Rochester Garden Club to host its Gifts & Greens Market, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the Abiding Presence Lutheran Church at 1550 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills. The opening gala is 5-8 p.m. Nov. 30,  $5 entrance fee, includes snacks. Market Days are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 2, $2 admission. Proceeds benefit community programs, RochesterGardenClub.org.

• Troy Community Chorus Winter Memories Concert is 8-9:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Troy Athens High School Auditorium, 4333 John R Road, Troy, www.troycommunitychorus.com, advance tickets are $12 adults, $10 for seniors and ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and younger.

• The Big, Bright Light Show is 5 p.m.-midnight, nightly through Jan. 21, downtown Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi.com/the-big-bright-light-show.

• Kris Kringle Market is 4-10 p.m. Dec. 1 and noon-10 p.m. Dec. 2, on West Fourth St. between Main and Walnut, downtown Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com.

• Birmingham Winter Markt is Dec. 1-3, at Shain Park, 270 W. Merrill St., tree lighting at 6 p.m., Dec. 1, downtown Birmingham, local artists and vendors, Santa House and carriage rides, www.allinbirmingham.com.

• Handel’s “Messiah”: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 1, and 4-6 p.m. Dec. 3, Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, 5171 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, www.olccp.com/events, $15.

• Holly Jolly Folly Fundraiser for the Orion Lighted Christmas Parade is 6 p.m. Dec. 1, Golling Buick GMC, 1491 South Lapeer Road Orion Twp., food, music, a silent auction, https://orionlightedparade.com, $60+.

• Orion Lighted Christmas Parade is 6 p.m. Dec. 2, downtown Lake Orion, https://orionlightedparade.com.

• Holiday Extravaganza is Dec. 2, downtown Pontiac. Annual Parade is at 11 a.m., Winter Fun Festival is noon-3 p.m., live ice carving competition, petting farm with animals, reindeer, Santa and Mrs. Claus meet and greet. The parade route will begin on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue at the Oakland Livingston Human and continues down Saginaw Street and ends at the Pontiac City Square (Lot 9).  The Run Elf Run race is at 8 a.m., Holidayextravaganza.org.

• Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus are offered 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, $7 members, $10 for nonmembers, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.

• Cocoa and Crafts with Santa: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 2-3, families can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make holiday crafts, play games, drink hot cocoa, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, $9 adv., discount to Troy Historical Society members. Register at https://www.troyhistoricvillage.org.

• Clarkston Art and Craft Show is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Clarkston High School, 6093 Flemings Lake Road, Clarkston, $4 admission, free for ages 10 and younger, keepsakecollectionshows.com.

• Salt Lutheran Church, 5475 Livernois, in Troy, will host a family-friendly Kinder Craft Night and Pasta Meal is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 3. crafts, children’s-only gift shopping for family and friends, pasta meal, bake sale, Christmas sing at 6 p.m., making cards for veterans to be delivered to the VA Hospital in Detroit. Pasta meals are $6 for ages 15+ and $3 for ages 3+, or $15 for a family of over four people. Craft prices vary from between $1-$3. Gift items are $2 and under, register at 248-879-6400 and leave email address.

• Clarkston Holiday Lights Parade “Snowglobe Spectacular”: 6 p.m. Dec. 9, starting at Renaissance High School Community Education Building, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, proceeding to Main St., ending at Calvary Lutheran Church, 6805 Bluegrass Drive, www.teamrush27.net/community/holiday-lights-parade.

• Jingle!: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 9, Pontiac Creative Art Center, 47 Williams St., Pontiac. Signature fundraising event, ugly sweater art exhibit, opening reception, live and silent auction and runway fashion show. Admission is free and all are welcome, https://pontiacarts.square.site/jingle, 248-333-7849.

• Santa Claus visits through Dec. 23, at Somerset Collection North Grand Court in Troy. Guests can reserve a photo session with Santa up to 14 days in advance by visiting, somersetevents.as.me/SantaPhotos, $35 for six poses and selfie photos are $10. Visits with Santa, without photos, are available on a walk-up, as-available basis.

• Free visits with Santa through Dec. 24, at The Village of Rochester Hills Shopping Center, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, TheVORH.com.

• Santa’s Flight Academy is through Dec. 24, Twelve Oaks Mall, 27500 Novi Road, Novi, https://shoptwelveoaks.com, and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, 4000 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, https://greatlakescrossingoutlets.com. Pre-paid photo package reservations available at the websites.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.