Community
Royal Oak
About Royal Oak
Royal Oak is a walkable Oakland County suburb of about 58,000 just north of Detroit, known for a downtown packed with restaurants, bars and the Royal Oak Music Theatre. The Detroit Zoo sits at the city’s southern edge where Woodward Avenue meets I-696. Main Street and Washington Avenue form the core of downtown, and the Royal Oak Farmers Market, dating to 1925, is a few blocks east. Woodward Avenue carries the Woodward Dream Cruise through town each August. Our Royal Oak coverage follows city commission and school news, Royal Oak and Shrine Catholic sports, and things to do downtown.
Top things to do in Royal Oak
- Visit the Detroit Zoo and its Polk Penguin Conservation Center.
- Shop the Royal Oak Farmers Market on market days.
- Catch a concert at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.
- Eat and drink along downtown Main Street and Washington Avenue.
- Watch classic cars roll down Woodward Avenue during the August Dream Cruise.
Guides
- Michigan Halloween Guide 2026: Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes and Trick-or-Treat Events by Region
- All Mitten Daily guides
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Latest from Royal Oak
Michigan Travel · October 21, 2026
Royal Oak Halloween Home Tour 2026: a free map of about 60 decorated houses to see on foot, by bike or by car
About 60 decorated Royal Oak homes are pinned on a free Google map, with photos and ready-made routes. Here is how to use it and how to add your own house.
Election 2026 · October 20, 2026
Royal Oak voters weigh a $165 million school bond and two city millage renewals on Nov. 3
The district says the bond would not raise the current 2.20-mill debt rate. The city wants to renew 0.70 mill for parks, forestry and the animal shelter and 0.20 mill for senior services.
News · October 20, 2026
Royal Oak tears down its Center Street garage and the Fresard clock tower, and asks developers what should come next
Ideas for the 1.44-acre garage site are due in December. The 44-foot tower at Woodward and Harrison is coming down eight years after the city first ordered it removed.
News · October 20, 2026
Westbound I-696 is open again past Royal Oak, but eastbound stays closed into late 2026
All westbound lanes and ramps between I-75 and the Lodge are back, including the Woodward exit. Eastbound drivers still detour via M-10, Davison and I-75, and the Church Street bridge remains closed.
News · October 20, 2026
Sign of the Beefcarver will close Oct. 25 after 70 years on Woodward, blaming beef prices, the COVID shutdown and government policies
The original and last location of the carvery says raising prices enough to cover record costs would have priced out its customers. It will close early on any day it runs out of food.
Sports · October 20, 2026
Royal Oak, at 4-4 after two straight losses, hosts 6-2 Clawson in Friday's regular-season finale
The Ravens started 4-2 before falling to Ferndale and Rochester. A win would give them a 5-4 record heading into Sunday's MHSAA playoff selection.
Sports · October 20, 2026
Unbeaten Shrine Catholic plays Everest Collegiate for the Catholic League's Cardinal title at Ford Field
The 8-0 Knights, who have outscored opponents 328-81, meet 7-1 Everest at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the first high school game of Prep Bowl LIV.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Detroit Zoo's Wild Lights returns Nov. 21 with lit-up Erb Discovery Trails and a new 21-and-over Igloo
The holiday light show runs 30 nights through Jan. 3. Tickets are $17 to $25 online and $27 at the gate. Santa visits every night through Dec. 23.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Royal Oak holiday season starts early: a night market Nov. 6, an art fair Nov. 19-20 and the Lighting of the Park Nov. 20
The Royal Oak Farmers Market hosts two big shopping events in November, and the giant oak tree at Centennial Commons lights up Friday, Nov. 20.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
100 years at Woodward and 12 Mile: how the Shrine of the Little Flower grew from 28 families to a basilica
The parish began in 1926 as the first in the world named for St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Its Art Deco church, built in two stages in 1931 and 1936, is now a minor basilica and a pilgrimage stop.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Things to do in Royal Oak Oct. 23-25: Zoo Boo's final weekend, two shows at the Music Theatre and a last Beefcarver dinner
Zoo Boo runs 3 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with the whole zoo open until 6. Streetlight Manifesto plays Friday and Bethel Music Saturday on West Fourth Street.