The flakes haven’t started falling, but of the holiday spirit is calling! Like cherished family traditions, the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills will once again bring good will and cheer to its merry citizens with a festive variety of holiday events. Check (twice, if you must) and see if your favorite made the list.
God bless us, everyone.
Don’t be a Scrooge. Spend a delightful evening in the company of Meadow Brook Theatre’s talented actors as they bring Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol to life, Friday, November 15 through Sunday, December 22.
Contact the MBT box office for ticket information and start a new holiday tradition with your family.
Go for a stroll
Photo from www.meadowbrookhall.org.
Have you ever wanted to tour the grand Meadow Brook Hall? Well, there’s no better time then when it is all decorated for the holidays! The 42nd annual Holiday Walk will take place on Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 23, 2013.
Reservations are not required and tickets may be purchased in the Family Garage, which is located off the courtyard. All tours are self-guided and offered daily from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (last admittance is at 4:00 p.m.).
For ticket prices to the Holiday Walk and to check out other wonderful holiday happenings at historic Meadow Brook Hall, please visit their website.
Flip that switch
Everywhere you look, leaves aren’t the only things changing—stores shelves are beginning to look a lot like Christmas and so is downtown Rochester.
Once again the buildings on Main Street will be all aglow for The Big, Bright Light Show! The lights go on at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2 during Lagniappe and will light up the dark winter nights through Sunday, January 5, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. until midnight.
A Miracle on Fourth Street
Just like the movies, The Big, Bright Light Show needs a Christmas miracle. Even though it has become the largest holiday light display in the Midwest (drawing over 1 million visitors each year) because of budget cuts, it looks like some of the stores won’t be able to participate.
Enter the Kickstarter Campaign—“Miracle on Fourth Street,” designed to restore the lights to all those businesses on Fourth Street so they can continue to spread holiday cheer!
Christmas—European style
Take a trip back in time to the Kris Kringle Market, which is inspired by the 700-year old tradition of the open-air Christmas markets throughout Europe.
Enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping, fresh greens & wreaths, and handcrafted gifts for the holiday. Food and beverages will be available in the warming tent. Purchase a commemorative glass mug filled with hot-spiced wine provided by Fieldstone Winery or enjoy a glass of beer, handcrafted by Rochester Mills Beer Co. 
Express Clydesdale will be onsite offering stagecoach rides and photo opportunities. Oh, and we hear that Jolly Old St. Nick will be available for photo, too.
All the magic can be found quaintly located on W. Fourth Street (between Walnut & Main), Friday, December 6, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 7, from Noon to 10:00 p.m. Check the Downtown Rochester website for a complete schedule of activities as they become available.
Haul out the holly
Once again the Rochester Garden Club will offer fresh greens and arrangements, preserved botanicals, and unique handcrafted items at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Rochester.
Green’s Market days for the annual holiday fundraiser are Friday, December 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $2. Credit cards are accepted.
Read more about the arrangements you can buy to dress your home for the holidays.
Sun, Sand, and Santa
Sail away to the Caribbean this Christmas… or at least come to downtown for the Caribbean-themed 
Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
If you’re interested in being a Parade sponsor, check out the Rochester Chamber of Commerce website for more information.
Holiday of Dreams
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the sweet sounds of music. This year, the Rochester Symphony Orchestra will delight their audience with Rachmaninov, A Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with a featured performance by pianist Alvin Waddles on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., St. Andrew Church 1400, Inglewood Avenue.
To purchase tickets, contact the box office at 248.651.4181.
Keep checking back with us as more celebrations of the season are announced!
About Sarah Hovis