Blog
Real life in Oakland County
First-person guides to family life, neighborhood deep dives, and the Michigan housing market. Written from someone who actually lives here.
New in Town
Portland Leather Goods Opens in Downtown Birmingham
Portland Leather Goods has opened at 157 West Maple Road in downtown Birmingham, in the former Revive space, selling factory-direct leather bags, wallets, and accessories.
Family Activities
Where to Ice Skate in Oakland County with Kids This Winter
Three city-run rinks anchor winter skating in Oakland County: the outdoor Rink at Royal Oak, the refrigerated rink at Stine Community Park in Troy, and the indoor Birmingham Ice Sports Arena.
New in Town
Monday Coffee Club Opens Its Second Location in Troy
Monday Coffee Club has opened its second location in Troy at 1860 East Big Beaver Road, with drive-thru service starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays.
Events & Festivals
December 2026 Events for Families in Oakland County
A month-at-a-glance guide to December 2026 family events in Birmingham, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester Hills, and downtown Rochester, from holiday markets and tree lightings to Santa visits, ice skating, and the season's last weeks of Wild Lights.
New in Town
Bev's Bagels Opens in Downtown Birmingham
Bev's Bagels, the sourdough bagel shop from James Beard semifinalist Max Sussman, opens its second location in downtown Birmingham on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 283 Hamilton Row.
Events & Festivals
The Mighty Gobbler in Troy: A Family Thanksgiving Morning Run in 2026
Troy's family-friendly Thanksgiving morning tradition returns Thursday, November 26, 2026, with a 1-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K at 9 a.m., and strollers and dogs are welcome.
Events & Festivals
Veterans Day 2026 in Royal Oak and Troy: Family Ceremonies on November 11
Royal Oak and Troy both hold public Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at their city war memorials, with Rochester Hills observing at Veterans Memorial Pointe.
Events & Festivals
November 2026 Events for Families in Oakland County
A month-at-a-glance guide to November 2026 for families in Birmingham, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester Hills, and downtown Rochester, from Veterans Day to the holiday kickoffs.
New in Town
Bella Rose Italian Opens in Downtown Royal Oak: Handmade Pasta for Families
Bella Rose Italian opened August 18, 2026 at the corner of Main and 11 Mile in downtown Royal Oak, bringing handmade pasta and seasonal Italian dishes to the city's walkable core.
Events & Festivals
Royal Oak Holidays 2026: Cookie Crawl, Santa and Grinch Visits, and Three Free December Weekends
Royal Oak Holidays runs three free weekends from December 4 through 20, 2026, with the Cookie Crawl, visits with Santa and the Grinch, horse and wagon rides, holiday markets, and ice skating.
Events & Festivals
Where to See Santa in Oakland County 2026: A Family Guide
From free Santa visits at The Village of Rochester Hills to Santa House in Birmingham and Santa and Grinch visits in Royal Oak, here is where families can see Santa this season.
Events & Festivals
Light the Village at the Village of Rochester Hills 2026: A Free Family Holiday Kickoff
A free family holiday kickoff with Santa, fireworks, food trucks, and roaming performers on Friday, November 20 in Rochester Hills.
New in Town
Harrison's Restaurant and Wine Bar Opens in Downtown Rochester
A new restaurant and wine bar from the owners of The Roxy opened in downtown Rochester in September, in the former D'Marco's space.
New in Town
New Stores Open in Downtown Birmingham for the 2026 Holiday Season
Rag & Bone, Vuori, Design Within Reach, and Cherry Republic are now open in downtown Birmingham, with J.Jill on the way, in time for holiday shopping.
Family Activities
Outdoor Adventure Day Camp at the Rochester Hills Museum 2026: A School Break Option
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm holds an Outdoor Adventure Day Camp on Monday, November 2, 2026, starting at 10 a.m., a one-day drop-off camp for kids on the fall school break.
Family Activities
Friday Family Fun Nights at the Troy Community Center 2026: Indoor Family Time in November
Troy Recreation's Friday Family Fun Nights return Friday, November 13, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Troy Community Center, with indoor activities priced at $6 for residents and $8 for non-residents.
Events & Festivals
Holiday Events in Troy 2026: Elf Shelf, Tree Lighting, and Polar Party
Troy's 2026 holiday season includes the Elf Shelf Arts and Crafts Show on November 28, the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, and the Polar Party on December 13, all confirmed on the city's recreation calendar.
Events & Festivals
Birmingham Holiday Events 2026: Santa Walk, Santa House, and Small Business Saturday
Downtown Birmingham's holiday season starts November 28 with the Santa Walk and Small Business Saturday, followed by free Santa House visits and horse-drawn carriage rides in Shain Park.
Events & Festivals
Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade 2026: Sunday, December 6
The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade steps off Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. in downtown Rochester, with more than 100 floats, marching bands, and community groups ending with Santa.
Events & Festivals
Royal Oak Holiday Markets 2026: Three December Weekends at Centennial Commons
The Royal Oak Holiday Markets run December 4 through December 20, 2026, on three consecutive weekends at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, with free admission and about 20 local artisans and businesses each weekend.
Events & Festivals
Downtown Rochester Holiday Events 2026: Festival of Trees, Lagniappe, and the Kris Kringle Market
Downtown Rochester's 2026 holiday season starts with the Holiday Expo on November 9 and runs through the Kris Kringle Market on December 4 and 5, with the Big, Bright Light Show lighting storefronts from November 24 through January 17, 2027.
New in Town
Cherry Republic Opens Its First Metro Detroit Store in Downtown Birmingham
Cherry Republic's first Metro Detroit store is now open in downtown Birmingham at 243 West Maple Road, in the former Detroit Guitar space, with its cherry preserves, chocolates, and gift boxes ready for holiday shopping.
New in Town
New Steakhouse and Sushi Restaurant Casa Pasha in Rochester Hills
Casa Pasha, a new steakhouse and sushi restaurant at 6920 North Rochester Road in the former Dime Store space, remains in the announced stage, with opening still pending final approvals as of late October 2026.
Events & Festivals
Royal Oak Lighting of the Park 2026: Tree Lighting and Family Fun This November
Royal Oak kicks off its holiday season with Lighting of the Park on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Centennial Commons, with the tree lighting on the steps of the public library, Santa, carnival rides, and ice skating.
Events & Festivals
Birmingham Winter Markt 2026: Dates, Tree Lighting, and Family Holiday Events
The Birmingham Winter Markt runs December 4-6, 2026 in and around Shain Park, with the Holiday Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. on opening night. Here is what families should know about Downtown Birmingham's holiday market weekend.
Events & Festivals
Detroit Zoo Wild Lights 2026: Dates and What Families Should Know
Wild Lights runs select evenings from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak open from 5 p.m. on event nights. It is the zoo's winter lights display and a stroller-friendly way to see the holidays.
Family Activities
Ice Skating in Royal Oak: The Rink at Centennial Commons Family Guide
The Rink at Royal Oak is the outdoor ice rink at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, 221 East Third Street, open each winter with skating from $10 and rentals at $5. Here are the season, hours, and pricing families should know.
Family Activities
Best Parks for Fall Colors in Oakland County: Innovation Hills and Birmingham Favorites
Innovation Hills Park in Rochester Hills, with its Clinton River trail and nature-themed playground, is one of the best Oakland County parks for fall colors with young children. Birmingham's Booth Park and Shain Park round out the list.
Events & Festivals
BirminghamBURGER 2026: A Month of Signature Burgers in Downtown Birmingham
BirminghamBURGER runs October 1 through 31, 2026, across downtown Birmingham, with participating restaurants competing for the title of best burger in the city for the month.
New in Town
Kaishin Izakaya Opens in Downtown Birmingham on South Old Woodward
Kaishin Izakaya is now open at 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, bringing Japanese small plates and izakaya-style dining to the former Sushi Japan space downtown.
New in Town
RH Rooftop Restaurant and Street Beet in Downtown Birmingham 2026
RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Detroit is open on South Old Woodward, and the plant-based sandwich shop Street Beet lists a Birmingham location as coming soon.
Family Activities
Model Train Exhibit at the Rochester Hills Museum: Indoor Family Fun in November
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm hosts the Get On Board model train exhibit on select Saturdays and Sundays starting in November, from noon to 4 p.m., with a scavenger hunt through the display.
Family Activities
Royal Oak Farmers Market: A Family Guide to Hours and Weekly Events
The Royal Oak Farmers Market runs year-round on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it adds a Sunday antiques and collectibles market plus a monthly food truck rally that make it a family destination in the fall.
Events & Festivals
The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester 2026: A Holiday Tradition for Families
The Big, Bright Light Show returns to downtown Rochester on November 24, 2026, with more than a million lights running nightly through mid-January, plus the Festival of Trees and a Lagniappe kickoff celebration.
New in Town
New e Fiori Restaurant and Floral Shop Opens in Downtown Birmingham
e Fiori, an Italian restaurant paired with a European-style floral shop, opened in June 2026 on Willits Street in downtown Birmingham, giving families a new dining option just off Old Woodward.
New in Town
New Restaurants and Dining Options in Downtown Birmingham for Families
Several new restaurants have opened in downtown Birmingham in late 2025 and 2026, giving families more casual dining options alongside the area's established fine dining scene.
New in Town
New Restaurants and Shops Opening in Downtown Birmingham for 2026
From a plant-based restaurant from a celebrity chef to national retail brands, downtown Birmingham has added several new places this year that are worth knowing about.
Family Activities
Slick City Action Park in Troy: A New Indoor Play Destination for Oakland County Families
This indoor dry-slide and air court park opened in March 2026 on Crooks Road, offering a weather-proof option for active kids with slides, zip lines, and a junior climbing area.
Neighborhood Guides
Royal Oak versus Birmingham on a Saturday Morning
From someone who spends time in both, here is how the mornings actually compare.
Family Life
The Booth Park Splash Pad, Honestly
When to go, where to park, and why my kid slides down the turf hill on a cardboard box.
Family Life
A Year of Sundays at the Birmingham Farmers Market
The vendors I actually go back for, and why I always end up spending more than I planned.
Family Life
The Rainy Day Plan for Oakland County Parents
From the Robot Garage on Eton to the Cranbrook Institute, here is where we go when it pours.
Family Life
The Best Playgrounds in Troy, Ranked by a Parent Who Has Been to All of Them
An honest, opinionated ranking of Troy's playgrounds from someone who has dragged a toddler to every single one.
Events & Festivals
PastRoyal Oak Spooktacular 2026: Free Family Halloween Fun on Fifth Avenue
Royal Oak's Spooktacular takes place Sunday, October 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fifth Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, with trick-or-treating, costumed characters, and a Jurassic Adventure theme.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Trunk-or-Treat 2026: Emergency Vehicles and Free Candy at the Police Department
Troy's Emergency Vehicle Trunk-or-Treat takes place Thursday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Troy Police Department, with trick-or-treating, emergency vehicles, and community partners for kids 12 and under.
Family Activities
PastJack-O-Lanterns Among the Trees at Stage Nature Center 2026: A Family Halloween Walk in Troy
Stage Nature Center in Troy hosts Jack-O-Lanterns Among the Trees on October 24, 2026, an evening walk along the Sugar Maple trail lined with carved pumpkins, with two sessions to choose from.
Events & Festivals
PastZoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo 2026: Dates and What Families Should Know
Zoo Boo runs the first four weekends of October at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, with trick-or-treat stations and family-friendly Halloween activities each afternoon and evening.
Events & Festivals
PastTrick-or-Treat at the Troy Historic Village 2026: Under the Sea Theme
The Troy Historic Village holds its family trick-or-treat on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026, with an Under the Sea theme, games, and crafts.
Events & Festivals
PastTrails of Treats at Spencer Park 2026: Rochester Hills Free Family Trick-or-Treat
Rochester Hills hosts Trails of Treats on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Spencer Park, a free community-wide trick-or-treating stroll from noon to 3 p.m.
Events & Festivals
PastTrick-or-Treat in Downtown Rochester 2026: Halloween Fest for Families
Downtown Rochester hosts a free family trick-or-treat and Halloween Fest on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with downtown shops handing out treats to costumed kids.
Events & Festivals
PastHalloween Events for Families in Oakland County 2026: Confirmed Dates
Family Halloween events with confirmed 2026 dates in Oakland County, from downtown Rochester's trick-or-treat to Troy's kids' fun run and Birmingham's season finale, each with its source.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Family Fall Fest 2026: Trick-or-Treat Trail and Pumpkin Picking at Stine Park
Troy's free Family Fall Fest takes place Saturday, October 10, 2026, with a trick-or-treat trail, bounce houses, pumpkin picking, and cider and donuts at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Frightful 5K and Pumpkin 1K 2026: A Family Halloween Race in Troy
Troy Recreation hosts its 10th annual Frightful 5K and Pumpkin 1K on October 25, 2026, at the Troy Community Center, a costume-friendly race with a dedicated kids fun run.
Events & Festivals
PastSeptember Events in Birmingham Michigan for Families 2026
From an outdoor movie night at Booth Park to the Farmers Market Harvest Festival, here are the family events happening in downtown Birmingham this September.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Porchfest 2026: Free Family Music Festival in the Southwest Historic District
Forty bands performing on forty porches with free admission. Troy's Porchfest returns September 12 for a day of live music and neighborhood community.
Events & Festivals
PastStone Wall Pumpkin Festival in Rochester Hills 2026: What Families Should Know
The Rochester Hills Museum hosts its annual Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival on October 10 with pumpkin carving, hayrides, live entertainment, and family activities.
Events & Festivals
PastBirmingham Pumpkin Patch 2026: A Free Fall Family Event at Shain Park
The City of Birmingham Pumpkin Patch takes place Saturday, October 24 at Shain Park, with the final Farmers Market the next day.
Events & Festivals
PastBloomfield Township Open House 2026: Fire Trucks, Bounce Houses, and Family Fun
The Bloomfield Township Open House returns September 27 with fire safety demonstrations, patrol car rides, a bounce house, a dunk tank, and a performance stage.
Events & Festivals
PastArts Beats and Eats in Royal Oak 2026: What Families Should Know
Royal Oak's signature Labor Day weekend festival returns Sept 4 through Sept 7 with live music, food vendors, a juried art show, and a dedicated kids stage.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Family Daze 2026: A Full Guide to Troy's Biggest Fall Festival
The 56th annual Troy Family Daze runs September 17 through 20 at the Troy Civic Center with carnival rides, a petting zoo, Touch-a-Truck, and fireworks.
Events & Festivals
PastFall Festivals in Oakland County 2026: A Family Guide to the Best Seasonal Events
From the Art and Apples Festival in Rochester to the Bowers School Farm Fall Festival in Bloomfield Hills, here is a rundown of the best fall events for families this season.