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ROCHESTER HILLS — The community is invited to kick off the holidays in Rochester Hills with the annual Light the Village event.
Slated this year for 6-9 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Village of Rochester Hills, Light the Village has quickly become one of the great holiday traditions in the community, according to Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett.
“This year’s celebration might be our biggest and best yet. Incredible entertainment, along with Santa’s first official visit to Rochester Hills, followed by a Christmas-themed fireworks display, will light up the sky and get everyone in the holiday spirit,” he said. “I can’t wait to usher in the holiday season with friends and family.”
The 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center will be covered with over 350,000 colored lights and will offer guests a free evening of entertainment for the whole family.
“It’s an annual event that we host at the Village of Rochester Hills as a way to kick off the holiday season,” said Pamela Lindner, marketing director for Robert B. Aikens & Associates. “It’s a way for us to really focus on bringing our community together before the holiday season takes over everything.”
The fun will begin at 6 p.m. with live musical entertainment, including performances by carolers, local choirs and school bands.
Santa Claus will make a special appearance at 6:45 p.m. before taking the stage with Barnett to welcome the holiday season and receive the “key” to the Village of Rochester Hills. Soon after, a surprise guest will be invited onstage to light the village, followed by a fireworks show beginning promptly at 7:15 p.m.
Eventgoers can also enjoy free walk-up visits and photograph opportunities with Santa 8-9 p.m., food trucks, stilt walkers and jugglers, a selfie station, free face painting, and free arts and crafts activities compliments of Paint Creek Center for the Arts.
A free shuttle service is available from Adams High School 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Following the event, Santa will continue to make weekly appearances at the shopping center through Christmas Eve. During these free visits, guests will be able to meet and take photos with Santa in a cozy outdoor winter setting. This year, organizers said guests will not need to make advance reservations, because walk-up visits will be available to all who want to visit during Santa’s hours. Guests should bring their own cameras, as photographers will not be present.
The Village of Rochester Hills is located at 104 N. Adams Road in Rochester Hills. To learn more about The Village of Rochester Hills events, holiday hours and Santa’s schedule, visit TheVORH.com.
