Five Things to do in December 2015

Another holiday season, another new year, another year of fun in Buffalo! Close out December with one of these fun events.

Holiday Happening – Friday through Sunday, December 4-6 and December 11-13 at participating wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail. Sample holiday cookies or desserts at each winery you visit, and take home a recipe booklet of unique treats; tickets are good for all six days of the event and include a commemorative wine glass at your first winery and a cookie/dessert sample and three tastings at each winery you visit. Tickets are $32.40 per person or $59.40 (includes sales tax) per couple online, and are limited; find out more at niagarawinetrail.org.

Holiday in the Village – Friday through Sunday, December 4-6 on Main St. in the Village of Williamsville. On Friday night at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) the Williamsville Meeting House brings Mike Randall in for A Christmas Carol (tickets $5 pre-sale, $10 at the door – limited to 150 people). On Saturday, there’s free trolley rides on Main St. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), pictures with Santa at the Mill (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and shopping in the Village, followed  by the annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. in front of Village Hall. On Sunday, The Meeting House will host Steve Balesteri’s Christmas in the Village concert at 6:30 p.m. (tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door). For more information, click here.

Lewiston Tour of Homes and Christmas Walk – Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Village of Lewiston. The Tour of Homes is the signature fundraising event for the Historical Association of Lewiston, with each home featuring festive decorations including Christmas tablescapes and entertaining ideas. Tickets are $25 each day, and includes the tour as well as a dessert tasting reception at the Barton Hill Hotel from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Holiday Gift Market at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall (145 N. 6^th St.) is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 20 vendors. The Christmas Walk will take place throughout the Village and will feature carriage rides, carolers, a parade and a visit from Santa on Saturday.

Holidays with the BPO – the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers up holiday programing beginning with JoAnn Falletta’s Classical Christmas, Friday and Saturday, December 11-12 at Kleinhan’s Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle in Buffalo; Friday’s show is at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday’s is at 8 p.m., and also features the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. On Sunday, December 13, the Jingle Bell Jam at 2:30 p.m. features music from The Polar Express, dancers from the Royal Academy of Ballet and Verve Dance Studios and the Amherst Bel Canto Chorus. Friday through Sunday, December 18-20, join new BPO Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell for the Holiday Pops concerts (Friday – 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday – 8 p.m., Sunday – 2:30 p.m.).

First Night Buffalo – Thursday, December 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. For the 27^th year, Buffalo’s biggest drug- and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration will feature family activities throughout the evening. Ticket information will be announced soon – find out more about First Night at firstnightbuffalo.org.