Yates Cider Mill is already pressing fresh cider and welcoming visitors for the 2026 season, weeks ahead of its originally projected September opening.

The Rochester Hills mill, at 1950 E. Avon Rd., confirmed on its website that both its historic location and its Canterbury Village outpost are open. The historic mill runs 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Canterbury Village hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Yates posted on Facebook that the "first cider of 2026 has officially been pressed and is on the shelves." The family-owned operation, which purchased its land in 1863 and added cider pressing by 1876, bills itself as Michigan's oldest working water-powered mill. Visitors can expect donuts, pony rides, a petting zoo, the Yates River Walk and picnic areas.

The Metro Detroit News independently confirmed on Aug. 23 that Yates is open for the season.

The early opening is a shift from earlier projections. An Aug. 12 Rochester Register report had listed a Sept. 4 start for the mill, but multiple sources dated Aug. 22–24 confirm it opened ahead of schedule. No explanation for the change has been posted.

Meanwhile, Rochester Cider Mill at 5125 N. Rochester Rd. is still weeks out. Some aggregators, including WXYZ's metro Detroit cider mill list, have listed a Friday, Aug. 28 opening — but the mill's own website says otherwise, stating it will reopen "Labor Day weekend 2026," with hours beginning in September. That would put the opening closer to Sept. 5–7, in line with a separate Sept. 5 date listed by LittleGuide Detroit. Residents can confirm the exact date at rochestercidermill.com or by calling (248) 651-4224.

Rochester Cider Mill offers fresh-pressed apple cider, homemade baked goods, farm animals and a play area, with daily hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. once open.