Rochester Aglow Over Big, Bright Light Show 's 10th Year

The Big, Bright Light Show has been glowing strong for 10 years now. (Downtown Development Authority photo via Flickr)

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Nobody in southeast Michigan does the holidays like Rochester, known for The Big, Bright Light Show, in which downtown buildings are covered with 1 million points of glimmering lights.

The holiday season starts with Lagniappe — Creole for “a little something extra — from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. During those hours, merchants will offer customers an extra gift in appreciation for their support during the year.

The program begins at 6:45 p.m., and the lights will officially be turned on at 7 p.m. This is the 10th anniversary of The Big, Bright Light Show, and the Rochester Downtown Development Authority also plans to offer some lagniappe in commemoration of the anniversary.

Downtown Rochester is also partnering with The Rainbow Connection, a Rochester-based charity that makes dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening illnesses. The Wishes Campaign will kick off opening night and continue through the holiday season.

Visitors taking in The Big, Bright Light Show, take a minute and text WISHES to 80077* and make a $10 donation to help make a child’s wish come true.

The evening also includes horse-drawn carriage rides from 6-9 p.m. at E. Third and Walnut streets, as well as free music performances from the Meadow Brook Carolers, Jennifer Kincer and Friends and others.

The Big, Bright Light Show will run nightly from 5 p.m.-midnight through Jan. 3, as well as during the Fire & Ice Festival, which is planned for Jan. 22-24.

Other upcoming holiday events include Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, and the Kris Kringle Market, an open-air market Dec. 4-5.