Stand at Old Town Hall on Mill Street this December and you can reach most of Ortonville's holiday season on foot. The new Tinsel & Treasures vendor market is inside the building. Candy Cane Lane goes into the pocket park beside it. The Edna Burton Senior Center's Christmas craft and bake sale has moved from Ball Street to the Masonic Hall, "right downtown with all the other activities," as the township's senior newsletter puts it.
The Ortonville Downtown Development Authority calls the stretch from November 27 through December 19 the Season of Holiday Magic. It runs three weeks, and this year its new pieces all sit within a short walk of 476 Mill Street. Here is how the calendar falls once you start from that block.
What's new on the block this year
Three pieces of the 2026 season are new to downtown or have just moved there:
- Tinsel & Treasures at Old Town Hall. The DDA describes this vendor market as "making its debut" this season, with special shopping every Friday and Saturday through the holidays.
- Candy Cane Lane in the pocket park. Brandon Township Parks & Recreation lists it as "new this year." The DDA places it in the pocket park between the Village Office and Old Town Hall, which its overview calls the Heritage Pocket Park.
- The senior center sale at the Masonic Hall. The Edna Burton Senior Center's craft and bake sale will be held at the Masonic Hall downtown this year, not at the center.
All three sit close together, so a single walk now covers the market, the kids' area and the bake sale. The rest of the season fills in around them.
Thanksgiving weekend opens the market
The season starts on Black Friday. On Saturday, November 28, the DDA lists Small Business Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. across downtown.
Tinsel & Treasures makes its first appearance at Old Town Hall that weekend. The DDA also lists holiday shopping and sales at the Hill Building, Moon Body Works, which features Lilly's Lather, and Daisy Rose Vintage. Downtown regulars Hamilton's, Q's Quilting and Willow Pointe are on the list too, and Lemon Lime Tattoo is offering holiday gift certificates and specials.
After Thanksgiving weekend the pattern stays the same. Downtown is open all season, and the DDA says the Friday and Saturday shopping at Tinsel & Treasures, the Hill Building, Moon Body Works and Daisy Rose Vintage continues every week through December 19. For a meal, the DDA points to the Village Pub, JB's BBQ and A&W.
The DDA is also running holiday workshops for making decorations and handmade gifts at different times during the week. Some are drop-in and some need advance registration, and the schedule is posted at downtownortonville.org.
Friday, December 4: the parade ends where the block begins
Brandon Township Parks & Recreation hosts the annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4. The township's Oct./Nov./Dec. newsletter puts the start at 7 p.m., with the Tree Lighting Ceremony right after. The DDA lists lights, music and food trucks for the evening.
Some of the parade rules explain why Candy Cane Lane exists. According to the township's parade page:
- Candy and other items may not be thrown or handed out along the route.
- Floats, vehicles and walkers must be brightly lit and visible from all sides, with no flashing or blinking lights.
- Santa is not allowed on any float or with any group. He appears at the end of the parade and at the tree lighting right after.
The newsletter says the no-candy rule is for safety, and that kids will find candy in the downtown pocket park instead. That is Candy Cane Lane, now set up as its own stop next to Old Town Hall.
Businesses and neighbors can still contribute. The DDA's Candy Cane Lane page invites organizations, businesses, residents and parade teams to take part. It asks for packaged Christmas-tree cakes, popcorn balls, candy and candy canes, and it also accepts a $100 cash donation.
Registration for parade entries is still open when this post goes up. Parks & Rec takes float, vehicle and walker entries through Wednesday, November 18, and entry is free. Registered groups get their parade order by email on December 1. All entries must be set and ready by 6 p.m. on December 4, and float captains have a mandatory meeting at 6:30 p.m. The sign-up form is on the Brandon Township Parks & Rec registration site.
Saturday, December 5: the same block, in daylight
Christmas in the Village is the next day. The DDA's invitation for Saturday is simple: "come downtown, wander around, and say hi to your neighbors."
The senior center's craft and bake sale at the Masonic Hall runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The township newsletter says the Old Mill will have activities throughout the day, along with a possible visit from "the 'Big Guy' himself." Because it is a Saturday, Tinsel & Treasures and the other weekend shopping stops are open as well.
The parade happens after dark on Friday. On Saturday the same few blocks fill up in daylight, and you can visit the bake sale, the Old Mill and the market all in one walk.
The rest of December, by date
A few more holiday events around Ortonville and Brandon Township fill in the weeks around that weekend:
- Thursday, December 3, 6 to 7:45 p.m. The Brandon Township Public Library hosts a Sensory Sensitive Santa Visit in the Youth Room at 304 South Street. Families can reserve private 10-minute visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and family photos are included.
- Wednesday, December 9, 4 p.m. The Edna Burton Senior Center's Christmas-lights outing leaves from the center for dinner and a drive past holiday displays, returning around 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12. The senior center hosts its Christmas dinner at 345 Ball Street, with appetizers at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. The meal is free, and donations are welcome.
- Saturday, December 19. This is the last day of the DDA's Season of Holiday Magic, and the final weekend of Friday and Saturday shopping downtown.
The senior newsletter, Late Bloomers, is posted on brandontownship.us under the Senior Center link.
The stretch of Mill Street by the Old Mill
There is one more downtown change to plan around. The DDA is getting ready for its Old Mill sidewalk realignment on Mill Street near the Old Mill Museum. The project removes a sidewalk pinch point and makes the walk between downtown and the nearby neighborhoods safer and more accessible. It is the project behind the $60,000 GM on Main Street grant that The Citizen reported in August.
The DDA's October 30 update explains what to expect once crews start. Mill Street stays open to two-way traffic, with a flagger or signal alternating cars through a single lane. The sidewalk in the active work area closes, with signs and barricades marking alternate routes. The DDA asks visitors heading to the Old Mill Museum and nearby downtown spots to take extra care. Since the Old Mill is one of the Christmas in the Village stops, check that update before you walk down on December 5.
When the work is done, the corner by the Old Mill will be easier to walk, and that will help the rest of the block around Old Town Hall.
Small downtowns like Ortonville's are part of what makes northern Oakland County home. If you have questions about your home in Ortonville or Brandon Township this season, Sold by Emily is glad to help. Schedule your free consultation.
