Small Town Brings Large Holiday Spirit

By Heather Raulerson Freelance Travel Writer

A small town on Main Street with millions of colorful lights, window displays that inspire Christmas memories, and shops full of holiday gifts. This Main Street isn’t in New York City but in Rochester, Michigan. This small town brings out a big Holiday Spirit that makes the Christmas season come alive for all visiting. Rochester’s holiday season starts the week of Thanksgiving and keeps on going all the way into January. Come out for the weekend to support the small businesses, bring friends to drink after work, or stroll Main Street to enjoy the lights and displays; whatever you choose, Rochester will put a smile on your face during the holidays.

Lagniappe

The first event kicks off the Rochester holiday season in a big way. With its origins coming from the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lagniappe is a thank-you celebration from the shop owners to their customers. Lagniappe is the Creole word for “a little something extra.”

On Monday, November 20th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., downtown Rochester’s merchants celebrate 50 years of Lagniappe. Walking around the town, shops will offer discounts, free samples, and much more during Lagniappe. Santa Claus will also be on hand to meet the little ones, and he’s bringing Mrs. Claus and the reindeer. Come support the lovely small businesses waiting to shower you with gratitude this holiday season. This celebration coincides with the debut of the Big, Bright Light Show.

The Big, Bright Light Show is one of Michigan’s largest Christmas Light displays, with over 1.5 million lights decorating almost every building in downtown Rochester. Each building has a single color of lights covering the facade, from reds, blues, greens, oranges, gold, white, and rainbow colors. The Mainstreet light display is inspired by the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights that ran at Disney’s Hollywood Studios until 2015.

The lights will officially light up downtown Rochester on November 20th at 7 p.m. and turn on nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight until January 7th, 2024. In addition to this holiday kick-off event, Santa Claus will be on hand to hear your child’s Christmas wish. New additions to the light display this year include lighted buildings expanded to more blocks, giant snowmen, a Santa train, strolling carolers, nutcrackers, and an ice skating family.

I have always enjoyed walking along the buildings, trying to find my favorite color to take selfies. And while you are doing that, you can peruse the fabulously decorated window displays. Each year, there is a Holiday Window contest, and they are a treat to behold. Twenty-two businesses are participating this year.

You have to check out the Home Bakery’s window display. They tend to win the Holiday Window Contest every year, and when you see it, you will see why. Anyone who puts in over 150 hours to create edible art masterpieces deserves to win. You can vote for your favorite this year, which will be announced on November 20th at Lagniappe.

A few things to note: Traffic is extremely heavy before the lights turn on and during the light show. You will encounter stop-and-go traffic entering the downtown area. Please bring your patience when driving and looking at the lights.

Snowman Stroll

To make the holidays even merrier, you can enjoy a snowman stroll in downtown Rochester from December 1st to the 31st. There will be 12 giant fiberglass snowmen designed by local artists displayed along Main Street. The artists get a blank white 5’ tall snowman to add creativity and magic; some paint them while others put them in costumes. The level of talent when they are finished is amazing.

Kris Kringle Market

For those needing to finish your Christmas Shopping, head to the Kris Kringle Market in downtown Rochester on December 1st from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and December 2nd from noon to 10 p.m. The Kris Kringle Market looks like a European Christmas market, especially if it snows that day. The market has numerous booths from local artisans and food vendors selling various crafts and food.

Walking through the market and smelling the roasted almonds and the fresh pine scent of the wreaths gets you into the holiday spirit quickly. I bought one or two wreaths in the past and can usually finish the rest of my Christmas gift shopping at the Kris Kringle Market. If it is a cold night, sip hot cocoa or apple cider and enjoy roasting marshmallows. While you are out and about, you also might see many people saving their spots for the 2 p.m. December 3rd Hometown Christmas Parade along Main Street.

Cookie Stroll

Another wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season is to participate in Rochester’s Cookie Stroll on December 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can collect 12 cookies at 14 different cookie stations in various shops throughout downtown. Rochester’s bakeries and restaurants bake all the cookies. You can purchase your official Downtown Rochester Cookie Tin from www.downtownrochestermi.com/store before they sell out. If you miss out this year, plan to order your cookie tin early next November.

Neighborhood Light Fight

Do you enjoy driving around neighborhoods during the holidays, admiring the Christmas Light displays, and looking for a Clark Griswald house? Me too! You are in luck because Rochester has its 4th Annual Neighborhood Light Fight from Dec. 1st to the 10th. Street after street lit up so bright you can see them from space. Plus, you can vote for your favorite street.

If you want to experience all these holiday activities, stay at the Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester. This luxurious hotel is within walking distance of all the above experiences. Plus, during Christmas, you can stay in one of their holiday-themed suites and take photos in their winter wonderland lobby display.

With all of the holiday merriment happening in Rochester, Michigan, you won’t be able to help not be in the Christmas spirit. I hope you and your family have a lovely holiday, and if you want to visit a small town that brings out a big holiday spirit, look no further than Rochester. Happy Holidays, everyone!