What's Planned For The Holidays At Rochester Hills' Library

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Winter came early this year and with the snow comes the holidays. The Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) is hosting a variety of programs and concerts this year to spread holiday cheer.

Here's a look at what is planned:

Get inspired to decorate for the holidays by touring some of the community’s most stunning interior displays during the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library’s Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12-5 p.m. Five area homes will open their doors to share their Christmas décor, holiday heirlooms, DIY ideas, and festive atmospheres with RHPL patrons and friends, all to raise money for RHPL programs and services. Additionally, the Friends’ Holiday Boutique will be held in RHPL’s Multipurpose Room on Dec. 15 from 1-6 p.m.

Tickets to the Holiday Home Tour are $25 and will be available for cash and/or check payment after Nov. 15 at The Friends Store in RHPL, Lytle’s Pharmacy, Dillman & Upton, Wild Birds and Things at Adams and Walton Roads, and Werner’s Hallmark at Adams and Silverbell Roads. To purchase tickets with a credit card or through PayPal, visit rhpl.org.

Registration opens Nov. 22 for RHPL’s beloved “Polar Express” event on Friday, Dec. 6, from 6:30-9 p.m. Experience the holidays throughout the library with crafts, a story (The Polar Express, of course!), cookie decorating, games, and letters to Santa.

The young and the young-at-heart can also visit with the Man from the North Pole – Santa – and take a trolley ride through downtown Rochester to see the Big Bright Lights Show. This event is free and open only to residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township and requires an RHPL card in good standing (not expired, no fines over $5) for all attending.

Enjoy holiday fun in RHPL’s Eureka Lab and make your own holiday décor. Design and create personal holiday decorations at the lab on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required for this event.

Plan ahead for the holiday season and buy some delicious cookies during the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library’s “Cookie Bake Sale” in the library on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sing a song for all to hear at “Community Sings: Holiday Concert with Matt Watroba” on Sunday, Dec. 22 from 2-3 p.m. Watroba is a community singer with a knack for picking the perfect songs and stories for his audience. Whether in concert, at a festival, in a library, a school, or park, music-lovers can count on a performance that will get them singing, laughing, and feeling a bit better about the world. Community singing exists so that all willing singers, at all levels of skill, can experience the power of song and musical participation.

Many know Watroba from his radio work both in Detroit and nationally through folkalley.co and as the founding host of “The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.” No matter your singing style or talent, come out and enjoy the holiday sing-along. Registration is required for this program.