2025 Holiday Events
Holiday Mini Tree Decorating
Trees must be decorated and dropped off by Friday, December 12th
Join Howell Recreation for a festive holiday event! We invite you to pick up a small 24-inch mini Christmas tree and unleash your creativity by decorating it. Once your tree is beautifully adorned, please bring it to the Oceola Community Center by December 12th.
On December 13th, attendees of our "Rec the Halls" event will receive a raffle ticket to vote for their favorite mini tree. The top three trees with the most votes will win a small prize! Get into the holiday spirit and show off your decorating skills. We can't wait to see your festive creations!
Registration opens November 5th. Deadline to register is December 10th.
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $12/tree (Resident | $20/tree (Non-Resident)
Letters to Santa
December 1st-16th
Write your letters to Santa and drop them off in our Holiday mailbox between December 1st - December 16th outside the Oceola Community Center!
Please include your return address if you'd like a response letter from Santa (must be dropped off by Dec 16th).
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE
Santa Helpers
Wednesday, December 17th
Santa needs volunteers to help him with letters to Santa! If you're interested in helping out, please sign up via the link below.
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Community White Elephant Gift Exchange
December 1st-23rd
Join us for our White Elephant Community Gift Exchange! We will provide the starting present. From there each participant will bring in a present that is worth at least $10 and they will take the gift left by the previous participant. No food or drinks. Gifts must be wrapped and include a note explaining what the gift is (office use only).
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE to participate
Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Chemung Hills (Ages 21+)
Friday, December 5th - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Dress in your finest and enjoy a night out at Chemung Hills Golf Club and Banquet Center. This event will include wine tasting, dinner, and raffles.
All proceeds will benefit the Howell Senior Center.
Site: Chemung Hills, 3125 Golf Club Rd.
Cost: $40 (Resident) | $50 (Non-Resident)
Evergreen Centerpieces
Tuesday, December 9th - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Create Your Own Fresh Evergreen Centerpiece! Join us for a hands-on holiday workshop where you'll craft a beautiful centerpiece using fresh evergreens, floral foam, and your choice of ribbons, candles, and decorations.
• No experience needed! Our friendly instructor will guide you step by step.
• All materials included – just bring your holiday spirit!
• Perfect for a girls' night out, date night, or solo creative escape.
Spots are limited – reserve yours today and take home a beautiful, custom creation that will last well into the new year!
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $55 (Resident) | $65 (Non-Resident)
Santa Videos
Order yours between November 5th and December 10th!
Surprise your kids with a personalized video from the big man himself! Register today and provide some details about your child’s wish list, activities, etc. Then we will work with Santa to record your child’s video (approx. 30-60 sec) and Santa will email it to you on or before December 23rd.
Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)
Military, Veteran, & First Responders Santa Videos 2025
Sign up to send a video message to someone in the military, a veteran, or a first responder!
Register today to share your appreciation and holiday cheer with a special video from Santa. Just sign up and we'll work with Santa to create a festive, pre-recorded message (approx. 30–60 seconds). The video will be emailed to you/them on or before December 23rd, ready to be shared with a hero in your life.
FREE
Tipsy Yoga (21+)
Friday, December 12th - 6:00pm-6:45pm
This playful session combines refreshing yoga flows with light-hearted fun, perfect for those looking to unwind and celebrate the season with a drink in hand. All levels welcome; suitable for beginners and experienced yogis. We will be doing yoga flows while incorporating drinking the beverage of your choice!
Bring your favorite beverage* of choice and join us for a fantastic series of tipsy yoga! Please bring your own mat. Limited mats available.
Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)
*This class is not included in the Fitness+ Membership.
Jolly Jigsaw Jam Puzzle Competition (Ages 12+)
Saturday, December 13th - 9:30am-2:00pm
Get ready for a day full of fun and challenge at Howell Recreation’s Jolly Jigsaw Jam! On December 13th, we’ll be hosting a thrilling 300 - piece SOLO puzzle competition and a Puzzle Swap for puzzle enthusiasts of all kinds. THIS IS A SOLO COMP.
Puzzle: 300 pieces (each puzzle will be wrapped until the competition starts to ensure fairness)
Time Limit: 3 hours to complete the puzzle
Prizes: Awarded to the top 3 puzzlers
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $25 (Resident) | $30 (Non-Resident)
Puzzle Swap
Saturday, December 13th - 9:30am-2:00pm
Bring your unwanted puzzles and swap them with others to refresh your collection. It’s a great way to share your love for puzzles and discover new ones! While we will do our best to regulate the quality of the puzzles brought in, it is ultimately up to the swappers to pick and choose which puzzles they wish to swap.
No Puzzles will be accepted early this time around! Please only bring your puzzles day of!
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE to swap
Rec the Halls
Saturday, December 13th - 11:00am-2:00pm
Pre-registration is available but not required.
Get ready to jingle all the way into the holiday season at Rec the Halls — a festive, family-friendly celebration full of cheer, creativity, and community fun! Join us for a magical afternoon filled with activities for all ages, including:
Hot Cocoa Bar – Warm up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate and customize it with your favorite toppings!
Santa’s S.T.E.M. Factory – Dive into fun, hands-on holiday-themed science, tech, engineering, and math activities that will spark your imagination.
Santa’s Workshop – Craft your own homemade gifts and wrap them with love – perfect for sharing the spirit of the season.
Santa pictures - Get your photo taken with Santa himself!
Letters to Santa – Write and decorate your own letter to Santa and drop it in our official North Pole mailbox.
Holiday Movie Hangout – Cozy up and enjoy a holiday movie (title TBD) with friends and family.
Whether you're crafting, learning, sipping cocoa, or just soaking in the holiday spirit, there's something for everyone at Rec the Halls.
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $7/participant (pre-registration) | $10/participant (day-of)
Bad Santa Trivia (Ages 18+)
Thursday, December 18th - 7:00pm-10:00pm
Grab your friends & family and join us Thursday, December 18th at Aberrant Ales for Bad Santa Trivia night! The theme of the night is Holiday Movies.
We will be raffling off great presents and more, so don't forget to bring extra cash!
There will be a prize for the most holiday spirit and best dressed for the holiday season! For just $50 your team of four is guaranteed a night of good fun, good food, and a lot of laughs. The trivia questions will all be answered through a mobile device so make sure to come fully charged and ready to play. Your team will also get one free appetizer for the night from a limited selection.
* ONLY ONE PERSON PER TEAM NEEDS TO REGISTER*
*Teams can be up to 4 people*
*Must be 18+ to participate and 21+ to purchase adult beverages*
Registration Opens November 5th. Deadline to register is December 18th.
Site: Aberrant Ales, 219 W Grand River Ave.
Cost: $45/team (Resident) | $50/team (Non-Resident)
*Must be 18+ to participate and 21+ to purchase adult beverages*
Holi-Slay WERQ (21+)
Friday, December 19th - 6:00pm-7:00pm
Get ready to dance, sweat, and celebrate the season with us at our special 45-minute Friday Night Holi SLAY WERQ Dance Fitness Class! Let's have some holiday themed fun — bring your best festive gear (Santa hats, elf vibes,
reindeer flair... you name it!) and your instructor will bring a high-energy holiday playlist for us to light up the dance floor with! Bring your drink (wine or beer) of choice and stick around after class for a drink and some social time!
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)
*This class is NOT included in the Fitness+ Membership.
**Beer and wine only.
Teen Late Night - Holiday Party (6th-12th Grade)
Friday, December 19th - 6:00pm-10:00pm
Join us for the final late night of 2025 and celebrate the season with friends at The Hive. Dinner will feature pizza provided by Cottage Inn, followed by a night full of festive activities. Wear your favorite ugly sweater and jump into the fun as we decorate cookies, craft ornaments, enjoy the hot chocolate bar, and watch a holiday movie together.
Want to add even more excitement? Take part in the optional White Elephant Gift Exchange by bringing a wrapped gift valued between $5 and $10. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the treats, or the holiday spirit, this is the perfect way to wrap up the year at The Hive.
Deadline to register is December 17th
Site: Bennett Rec Center, 925 W. Grand River Ave.
Cost: FREE (Resident) | $10 (Non-Resident)