REVIEW: Huzzah! It’s Time to Celebrate ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Meadow Brook Theatre

Every year as the air grows colder, a debate starts heating up – when does the holiday season officially start? Is it when 100.3 WNIC starts playing Christmas music? Or is it when the switch is flipped during Lagniappe and the Big Bright Light Show illuminates downtown Rochester? In my opinion, it is neither. The official holiday season begins when Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) brings its beloved version of A Christmas Carol to life. And the time to see it is now through Dec. 24, 2023, on the … [Read more...]

A Little Something Extra

Join the merchants of Downtown Rochester on Monday, November 22, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. when they offer their customers Lagniappe (Creole for “a little something extra”) in appreciation for their support throughout the year. Lagniappe 2017 and opening night for The Big, Bright Light Show 2017 - photo by Michael Dwyer The Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also will offer some Lagniappe with the debut of The Big, Bright Light Show. The program will begin at 6:20 p.m. on E. … [Read more...]

Call For Designers in the Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is a holiday spectacular unlike any other, featuring trees, wreaths, tablescapes, porchscapes, and more designed and donated by the Metro Detroit community. Downtown Rochester is always in holiday mode and plans are already well underway for the 8th Annual Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees, November 19-21. The Festival is seeking businesses, organizations, individuals, and families to contribute their time and talents to this year’s event by creating & … [Read more...]

Downtown Rochester Snowglow

The Downtown Rochester Snowglow, will take place on Friday, January 15 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. & Saturday, January 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Snowglow will include ice sculptures lining the streets, an ice carving competition, shopping, and of course, The Big, Bright Light Show. This is year’s ice sculpture theme is “Christmas Cheer.” Visitors will see carvings of holiday favorites, including Buddy The Elf, Frosty the Snowman, the Christmas Vacation Stationwagon, and many more. … [Read more...]

Christmas Extended in Downtown Rochester

Downtown Rochester is pleased to announce that The Big, Bright Light Show has been extended until Sunday, January 31. The show will be aglow every evening from 5:00 p.m. to Midnight. And the holiday magic doesn’t end there. The Downtown Rochester Snowglow, will take place on Friday, January 15 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. & Saturday, January 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Snowglow will include ice sculptures lining the streets, live ice carving demonstrations and, of course, The Big, … [Read more...]

Downtown Rochester Most Enchanting Main Street in the Country

Downtown Rochester was Recently Recognized as Having the Most Enchanting Main Street in the Country During the Holiday Season “The holiday season gives way to joy and excitement for every member of the family. There’s nothing better than bundling up, grabbing a cup of hot cocoa, and heading out for an enchanted night on the town with loved ones. There’s one town here in the Great Lakes State that truly comes to live with Christmas cheer each year, and you’ll never want to leave”, states … [Read more...]

Rochester’s Holiday Traditions

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, and that means downtown Rochester’s annual Big, Bright Light Show now illuminates Main Street every evening. Currently in its 13th year, the light show is a local holiday tradition that draws crowds from across the metro area. The light show, however, is only the latest version of Rochester’s holiday décor. Our Main Street Christmas makeover began in 1935, when according to local newspaper accounts that the downtown business district was … [Read more...]

Fire & Ice Festival January 19-21

The Fire & Ice Festival will fire up the weekend of January 19-21 with winter-driven, family-friendly activities, food trucks, TasteFest, ice sculptures, and the Big, Bright Light Show in the evenings. Admission and events are free. The Fire & Ice Festival will be held on: Friday, January 19 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday, January 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission and events are free of charge. For more … [Read more...]

The Big, Bright Light Show in On

Did you miss Lagniappe and the opening night of the Big, Bright Light Show? The bad news is you missed Santa, Mrs. Claus, and some reindeer. But, the good news is you also missed a lot of traffic issues, trying to find parking, and jammed sidewalks. The best news is - the light show runs every evening through the holidays - you can still go see the more than one million points of light. The Big, Bright Light Show is now in its twelfth season. The buildings of Main Street will be covered … [Read more...]

Fire & Ice Festival Becomes Warmer Weather Event

Fire & Ice Festival Adjusts to Warm Weather In spite of unseasonably warm temperatures and no snow in the forecast. The Fire & Ice Festival Committee 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 remain free. Events that will not take place this year due to the anticipated warmer temperatures include tube sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. … [Read more...]