Lancaster County Events -
December, 2009
Here is a listing and description of some of the special Lancaster County events taking place in December of 2009.
The dates, times, and admission prices are accurate as of the time of this posting. However, it is possible that changes may occur as the year progresses.
Therefore, please check back periodically to see if there have been any updates. We plan to list more events as information becomes available.
Adamstown
Christkindlesmarkt - Your entire family will have fun at these heart-warming holiday events held at Stoudt's Black Angus Expo Center during the five Sundays before Christmas. In addition to the festivities, over 50 seasonal dealers will display and sell a lovely variety of antiques, Christmas crafts and toys.
New this year will be freshly cut Victorian Christmas trees and wreaths designs in the courtyard. An array of music, delectable festive food and Christmas cheer abounds for the entire family.
On Sunday, December 6, 2009: St. Nicholas Visit - St. Nicholas, himself, will be handing out chocolate coins to all the good girls and boys, while Ruprecht will be there for the naughty ones. Seasonal Treats from the Bakery: Stollen with and without beer marzipan and Ruprecht Beer Brittle. German Dishes from the Kitchen: Bockwurst, Weiswurst, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage, and German Potato Salad.
On Sunday, December 13, 2009: Saint Lucia Celebration - Saint Lucia with a crown of lights will illuminate the Expo Center, handing out butter cookies to all. Sugar and Butter cookies will also be for sale at the bakery as well as a variety of other holiday sweets: Luciabullar Saffron Buns, and Scarlet Lady Linzer Cookies. Swedish Dishes from the Kitchen: Roast Pork with gingerbread sauce and Swedish Meatballs.
On Sunday, December 20, 2009: Pennsylvania Belschnickel - Local Belschnickel will grace the market with his charming folklore. From the Bakery: Hand rolled Soft Pretzels, Molasses Coal Candy, and Lepp Cookies. PA Dutch Dishes from the Kitchen: Chicken Pot Pie, Country Ham, and Potato Filling.
- Location: Stoudt's Black Angus Expo Center, 2800 N. Reading Road, Route 272, Adamstown, PA 17517
- Phone: (717)484-4386 (x204)
- Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009, Sunday, December 13, 2009, and Sunday, December 20, 2009
- Time: 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Christiana
Amish Family Christmas - Returning for its third season! Introducing a new song, "Precious Angels" in memory of the vicitms of the Nickel Mines Amish School. Rachel and Jacob are expecting their first child near Christmas and many changes have occurred in the family. What new surprises are in store for the King family? What heartache have Amos and Sadie been hiding?
- Location: Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre, 15 North Bridge Street, Christiana, PA 17509
- Phone: (610) 593-7013 (
- Date: October 20, 2009 through December 23, 2009
- Time:Tuesdays through Fridays:Matinee Dinner: 11:30 AM
Matinee Show: 1:00 PM
Saturdays:Evening Dinner: 6:30 PM
Evening Show: 8:00 PM - Admission:
Dinner and Show: $49.00 a seat
Show Only: $27.00 a seat
Ephrata
Christmas at the Cloister - Celebrate with seasonal readings and holiday music in the historic Saal.
- Location: Ephrata Cloister, 632 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522
- Phone: (717)733-6600 (
- Date: December 14, 2009 and December 15, 2009
- Time: Programs at 6:30 PM, 7:45 PM, and 9:00 PM
- Admission: $4.00 for each ticket. Tickets for the 9:00 PM program are FREE.
3rd Friday's A Charm - On every third Friday of the month, the shops of downtown Ephrata invite you to a special celebration. The monthly event serves as the perfect introduction to this Lancaster County city as well as something to look forward to for regular visitors.
Enjoy great deals on shopping, exciting entertainment, delicious local food and so much more. New events will be held each night.
Ride the Red Rose Historic Trolley to your favorite downtown destination for only 25 cents.
- Location: Throughout Ephrata
- Phone: (717) 738-5060
- Date: December 18, 2009
- Time: 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Lantern Tours - The Lantern Tours at the Ephrata Cloister take you back in time to visit the Cloister as it may have appeared in the 1700s. Each year’s story offers a cast of junior and senior high school students playing the roles that bring history to life.
- Location: Ephrata Cloister, 632 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522
- Phone: (717)733-6600 (
- Date: December 26, 2009 through December 29, 2009
- Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Admission: Please call for admission details
Lancaster City
Holly Jolly Christmas - Follow Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they hit the road in search of holiday cheer. You'll love Broadway-style numbers with pizzazz, heart-warming standards, Santa's rockin side, a nativity and traditional carols.
- Location: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
- Phone: (717) 898-1900
- Date: November 12, 2009 through December 23, 2009
- Time:
December's Show Schedule:
Mondays: There are no Monday shows
Tuesdays: 7:30 PM show only
Wednesdays: 1:15 PM and 7:30 PM shows
Thursdays: 1:15 PM and 7:30 PM shows
November 26th: 1:15 PM show only
Fridays: 7:30 PM show only
Saturdays: 1:15 PM and 7:30 PM shows
Note: On Saturday, December 19, 2009, there will be a 7:30 PM show only
Sundays:
December 6th: 7:00 PM show onlyDecember 13th: 7:00 PM show only
December 20th: 1:15 PM show only
- Admission: For Show & Dinner:
Adults:
Matinee: $46.00
Friday and Sunday Evenings: $49.00
Saturday Evening: $52.00
Students - Ages 13 to 18: $22.00
Children - Ages 12 and under: $18.00
Note: Dinners - Cocktails/Salad Bar/Buffet - begin
approximately 90 minutes before the show
For Show Only:
Adults: $25.00Children - Ages 12 and under: $16.00
First Friday - It is always a great time to visit Lancaster City on the first Friday of each month. Experience the downtown as 0ver 60 galleries, museums, shops, and restaurants extend their hours.
- Location: Downtown Lancaster City
- Phone: (717) 509-ARTS
- Date: December 4, 2009
- Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Lititz
Christmas in the Park - Tree lighting and songfest in Lititz Springs Park.
- Location: Lititz Springs Park Welcome Cente, Lititz, PA 17543
- Phone: (717) 626-8981
- Date: December 4, 2009
- Time: Please call for details
- Admission: Free
Hometown Christmas Weekend - Your entire family will have a blast during the Lititz Hometown Christmas Weekend.
Santa will arrive and join in the festivities on Friday evening and his visiting hours for the holidays will start that night.
On Saturday, December 5th, Santa and the Mrs. will take their traditional morning fire engine ride about town on the Lititz Fire Company's # 1 engine. The happy couple will then take up visiting hours for the rest of the holiday season.
This event is sponsored by the Lititz Kiwanis Club. .
- Location: Downtown, Lititz, PA 17543
- Date: December 4, 2009 to December 5, 2009
- Time:
Visiting Hours with the Clauses' are:
Fridays: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Admission: Just a friendly smile
Downtown Lititz Farmers Market - The Downtown Lititz Farmers Market opening. Enjoy shopping for your fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, etc. in the lively friendly atmosphere of the market.
- Location: Water Street Parking Lot of Susquehanna Bank,1/2 block off of Main Street
- Date: Every Saturday
- Time: Market hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Admission: Free Admission
Lovin' Litiz Every Second! - A great way to see historic downtown Lititz, Pennsylvania is to visit on the second Friday of every month when the town erupts for a special celebration for everyone.
Join downtown merchants in a lively evening of shopping, live music performances, art exhibits, poetry readings, jewelry shows, special dinner menus & local food tastings, and much more.
- Location: Downtown Lititz
- Phone: (717) 627-1919
- Date: December 11, 2009
- Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Carol Sing at Moravian Church Square - Warm your spirits and join the townsfolk as they gather together to sing Christmas carols in front of the Moravian Sanctuary.
Refreshments follow inside the church's social hall.
- Location: Moravian Church Square, 8 Church Square, Lititz, PA 17543
- Phone: (717) 627-4636
- Date: December 17, 2009
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Manheim
A Dickens of a Christmas - This season the Victorian Mount Hope Mansion brings you many of your favorite Dickensian characters who will lift your Yuletide spirits with joyous caroling, parlor games and intimate theater shows.
Celebrate the holiday season with timeless classics that never cease to entertain.
- Location: Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 83 Mansion House Road, Route 72 & PA Turnpike Exit 20, Manheim, PA 17545
- Phone:(717)665-7021
- Date: November 28, 2008 through December 21, 2008
Selected Weeknights: 7:00 PM show only. Please call to find out dates of the selected weeknight shows.
Fridays: 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM shows
Saturdays: 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM shows
Sundays: 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM shows - Admission: $19.95 for weekend adult admission; $17.95 for weekday adult admission; $9.95 for weekend and weekday child admission.
Open House with Father Christmas - Come visit the mansion which will be dressed up in its Holiday best with Christmas trees, pine roping, bells and baubles of every kind for this special time of year.
Father Christmas has chosen this spectacular setting to meet all the good girls and boys admist the seasonal splendor and looks forward to hearing gift wishes and posing for photos.
- Location: Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 83 Mansion House Road, Route 72 & PA Turnpike Exit 20, Manheim, PA 17545
- Phone:(717)665-7021
- Date: December 12, 2008
- Admission: Please call for details
New Year's Eve Gala -Ring out the old and bring in the new with Miss Daisy Grubb at Mt. Hope Mansion.
Dine and dance the night away in an atmosphere steeped in the allure of days gone by. As the midnight hour approaches, complimentary champagne and party favors ensure that the New Year is greeted with a rousing cheer of hip, hip, huzzah from all.
- Location: Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 83 Mansion House Road, Route 72 & PA Turnpike Exit 20, Manheim, PA 17545
- Phone:(717)665-7021
- Date: December 31, 2008
- Admission: $90 per person
Mount Joy
Winterfest in Mount Joy - Kick off the Holiday Season in Mount Joy. Visit the live reindeer and take pictures of your children with Santa. There will be plenty of games and live music performing throughout the evening. The whole family will love all the delicious food by local restaurants.
This activity-filled event is capped off by the Tree Lighting ceremony, complete with community caroling.
- Location: Downtown Mount Joy, 15 Marietta Avenue, Mount Joy, PA 17552
- Phone: (717) 653-4227 (
- Date: December 5, 2009
- Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Paradise
Peace, Love & My Mother-in-Law - This winner of the 2000 Rainbow Dinner Theatre's Christmas playwriting competition is being revived this winter due to popular demand.
When a couple of newlyweds invite the family over for their first Christmas dinner, it should be a joyous occasion. And it will be, if the newly married wife can get her husband and her mom to promise not to kill each other.
Don't worry, despite the very funny bumps along the way, this family will find enough Christmas spirit to carry them through to the new year, and so will you.
You won't want to miss this fresh new comedy. But, reserve early since Christmas tickets always go way too fast.
- Location: Rainbow Dinner Theatre, 3065 Lincoln Hwy E (Route 30 East), Paradise, PA 17652
- Phone: (717) 687-4300
- Date: November 10, 2009 through December 29, 2009
- Time:
December Schedule:
Mondays: Matinee only. There will be dinner at 11:30 AM followed by a 1:00 PM show. Note: There will be no show on Monday, December 21, 2009.
Tuesdays: Matinee only. There will be dinner at 11:30 AM followed by a 1:00 PM show. Note: On Tuesday, December 29, 2009, there will be an Evening show instead of the Matinee. There will be dinner at 6:30 PM followed by the 8:00 PM show.
Wednesdays: Matinee only. There will be dinner at 11:30 AM followed by a 1:00 PM show.
Thursdays: Matinee and Evening shows. For the Matinee, there will be dinner at 11:30 AM followed by a 1:00 PM show. For the Evening show, dinner will be held at 6:30 PM followed by an 8:00 PM show. Note: There will be no show on Thursday, December 24, 2009.
Fridays: Evening only. There will be dinner at 6:30 PM followed by an 8:00 PM show. Note: There will be no show on Friday, December 25, 2009.
Saturdays:
December 5th, December 19th, and December 26th: There will be an Evening show only. There will be dinner at 6:30 PM followed by an 8:00 PM show.
December 12th: There will be a Matinee and Evening show. For the Matinee, there will be dinner at 11:30 AM followed by a 1:00 PM show. For the Evening show, dinner will be held at 6:30 PM followed by an 8:00 PM show.
Sundays:
December 6th and December 20th: Twilight show. At the Twilight show, dinner is held at 2:30 PM followed by a 4:00 PM show.
December 13th and 27th: No Show - Admission:
Matinees: $43.00 a seat
Evenings - Thursdays and Fridays: $46.00 a seat
Evenings - Saturdays: $52.00 a seat
Twilight: $46.00 a seat
Strasburg
Trains In Motion Pictures Exhibit - From flickering shadows to Hollywood blockbusters, this exhibit will reveal the starring role that trains and railroads have often played in the magic of motion pictures through video clips, historic photographs and amazing artifacts.
- Location: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579
- Phone: (717)687-8628
- Date: May 16, 2009 through December 31, 2009
- Time:
April through October:
Open Mon.-Sat., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Open Sundays, 12:OO PM - 5:00 PM
November 1 through March:
Open Tues.-Sat., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Open Sundays, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Closed Mondays - Admission:
$10.00 for Adults(12 to 64);
$9.00 for Senior Citizens (Ages 65 and over);
$8.00 for Children (Ages 3 to 11);
Free for Young Children (under 3)
Voices of Christmas - This uplifting, heart warming holiday showcase will highlight the many "voices" that proclaim the Savior's birth, and the powerful impact the message of Christmas has had on countless generations throughout history.
This joyful celebration of Christmas is alive with all your favorite Carols, toe-tapping dances, live instruments, endearing animals, rich colorful costumes, and thought-provoking stories that center around Christmas themes, past and present.
A wonderful holiday destination for friends and family, Voices of Christmas is an exhilarating and inspirational journey through the many treasured traditions that have made Christmas "the most wonderful time of the year"!.
- Location: Sight & Sound® Living Waters Theatre, 202 Hartman Bridge Road, on Route 896 South off Route 30, Strasburg, PA 17579
- Phone: (717) 687-7800(
- Date: October 30, 2009 through January 2, 2010
- Time:December Schedule:
Mondays: The only Monday shows in December will be held on December 28th at 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM
Tuedays:
December 1st, 8th and 15th: 2:00 PM show only
December 22nd and 29th: 2:00 PM and 4:30 shows
Wednesdays: 2:00 m and 4:30 PM shows
Thursdays:
December 3rd, 10th and 17th: 2:00 PM and a 4:30 PM show.
December 31st: 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM shows
Note: There will be no shows on Thursday, December 24, 2009
Fridays: 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Note: There will be no show on Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturdays: 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and at 4:30 PM shows
Sundays: There are no Sunday shows in December. - Admission:
Adults: $29.00;
Teens: $16.00;
Children: $12.00
Miracle of Christmas - Christmas memories jump to life as a brand-new sensory experience highlights the return of Miracle of Christmas to the Millennium Theatre. As the aroma of special holiday treats fills your breath, you'll have the opportunity to interact with characters and animals from the Nativity story. The Millennium Theatre will be grandly decorated with lights, greenery, Nativity scenes and a spectacular thirty-foot Christmas tree.
But all of the holiday finery is only a prelude to the thrilling story of Christmas - Jesus the Messiah coming to earth in human form. Miracle of Christmas is the touching story of kings, angels and a simple, faithful couple used by God.
- Location: Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre®, 300 Hartman Bridge Road, 1 mile from Rockvale Square Outlets, on Route 896 South off Route 30, Strasburg, PA 17579
- Phone: (717) 687-7800(
- Date: November 7, 2009 through January 2, 2010
- Time:December Schedule:
Mondays: The only Monday shows in December will be held on December 28th at 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM and 7:30 PM
Tuesdays:
December 1st, 8th and 15th: 1:00 PM and 4:15 PM shows
December 22nd: 1:00 PM
December 29th: 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM and 7:30 PM shows
Wednesdays:
December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th: 1:00 PM and 4:15 PM shows
December 23rd: 1:00 PM show only
Thursdays:
December 3rd, 10th, and 17th: 1:00 PM and 4:15 PM shows
December 31st: 1:00 PM show only
Note: There will be no shows on Thursday, December 24th.
Fridays: 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM and 7:30 PM BR>Note: There will be no shows on Friday, December 25th
Saturdays: 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM, and at 7:30 PM.
Sundays: There are no Sunday shows - Admission:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:
Adults: $41.00; Teens: $28.00; Children: $16.00
Fridays and Saturdays:
Adults: $51.00; Teens: $28.00; Children: $16.00
Home for the Holidays - Take a nostalgic glimpse at holiday rail travel. Meet costumed engineers, conductors, ticket agents and passengers representing the past century and enjoy seasonal music, festive decorations, Jack Frost Station and a Polar Express party for young children among the world-class collection of trains.
- Location: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579
- Phone: (717)687-8628
- Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009 and Saturday, December 11, 2009
- Time: 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM
- Admission:
$10.00 for Adults(12 to 64);
$9.00 for Senior Citizens (Ages 65 and over);
$8.00 for Children (Ages 3 to 11);
Free for Young Children (under 3)
To see what special Lancaster County events and activities are taking place during the rest of the year, please click on any of the following links:
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