Lancaster County Events -
December, 2010

Here is a listing and description of some of the special Lancaster County events taking place in December of 2010.

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.

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 13, 2010 and December 14, 2010
• Time: Programs at 6:30 PM, 7:45 PM, and 9:00 PM
• Admission: $5.00 for each ticket. Tickets for the 9:00 PM program are 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 28, 2010 through December 30, 2010
• Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Admission: Please call for admission details

Gap

Holiday Open House - Complete all your holiday shopping as you relax at some of Lancaster County's finest wineries. Enjoy stress-free holiday shopping. The wineries will be decorated in their holiday glory and will be hosting carolers, holiday musicians, and special holiday sale pricing.

• Location: Brandywine Valley Wine Trail member wineries5697 Strasburg Road, Gap, PA 17527
• Phone: (717) 390-4367
• Date: December 4, 2010 and December 5, 2010
• Time: Please call for details
• Admission: Please call for details

Lancaster City

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 3, 2010
• Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Admission: Free

Countdown Lancaster 2011 - New Year's Eve celebrated in the good old-fashioned Lancaster County way. Family-oriented entertainment featuring over 100 performers. All events within easy walking distance. Shuttle service provided.

• Location: Downtown Lancaster, Binns Park, Lancaster, PA 17603
• Phone: (717) 392-2115
• Date: December 31, 2010
• Time: 7:30 PM to Midnight
• Admission: Free

Manheim

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 admidst 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 11, 2010
• Admission:
  Adults, ages 12 and older: $5.00
  Children: ages 11 and under: $3.00

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, 2010
• Admission: $90 per person

Marietta

Marietta Candlelight Tour of Homes - 45th annual Candlelight Tour. Each year generous and committed residents of Marietta and the surrounding locale provide a treat for loyal tour goers and those experiencing the Candlelight Tour for the first time. Your ticket includes entry to 8 private homes, a Victorian tea, antiques show & sale, table-setting display, craft show and museum. It is not unusual to overhear visitors stating this is their 10th or 15th visit.

This is a walking tour, however, a free shuttle bus is available from the main parking area as well as from site to site.

• Location: Historic Marietta Pennsylvania, Marietta, PA 17547
• Phone: (717) 426-4048
• Date: December 5, 2010
• Time: Please call for times
• Admission: Please call for details

Mount Joy

Winterfest in Mount Joy - Visit the live reindeer; take pictures with Santa; partake in games, coloring contests & special activities for the kids; enjoy the live music groups that will perform throughout the evening.

Your entire family will love all the delicious food supplied by the local restaurants.

The evening will be capped off by a traditional Lancaster County Tree Lighting, complete with community caroling.

• Location: Downtown Mount Joy, 15 Marietta Ave., Mount Joy, PA 17552
• Phone: (717) 653-4227
• Date: December 4, 2010
• Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Admission: Free

Fourth Friday in Mount Joy - Downtown Mount Joy explodes with things to do with over 20 destinations to enjoy on Fourth Fridays, with a different theme each month. Make each Fourth Friday a night that you and your family spend time together Downtown - dining out, walking from place to place, browsing shops,and enjoying special entertainment & activities.

• Location: Main Street Mount Joy, 15 Marietta Avenue, Mount Joy, PA 17552
• Phone: (717) 653-4227
• Date: December 24, 2010
• Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Admission: Free

Strasburg

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: December 4, 2010 and December 11. 2010
• Time: 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM
• Admission:
  Adults, ages 12 to 64: $10.00;
  Senior Citizens, ages 65 and over: $9.00;
  Children, ages 3 to 11: $8.00;
  Young Children, ages 2 and under: Free

Santa's Paradise Express - Recapture the magic of the holiday season. Potbelly stoves gently warm the passenger cars as you travel with Santa. Sing Christmas carols along with musicians as they stroll from car to car. If you listen carefully, you may even hear the sounds of ringing bells.

• Location: Strasburg Rail Road, Route 741 East, Strasburg, PA 17579
• Phone: (717) 687-7522
• Date:
  December 4, 2010 and December 5, 2010;
  December 11, 2010 and December 12, 2010; and,December 18, 2010 and December 19, 2010
  
• Time: All day
• Admission:Coach Fare: $17.00 for Persons 12 years of age and older; $10.00 for Children, ages 3 through 11; $3.00 for Toddlers, under 3 years of age.First Clas Fare: $25.00 for all ages
  Dining Care Fare: $19.00 for Persons 12 years of age and older; $12.00 for Children, ages 3 through 11; $5.00 for Toddlers, under 3 years of age.

Willow Street

Candlelight Tours at the Hans Herr House - Your family will enjoy this one-of-kind Christmas tradition as they take an evening tour of the 1719 Hans Herr House under atmospheric candlelight. Experience this historic landmark as they did centuries ago.

• Location: Hans Herr House, 1849 Hans Herr Dr, Willow Street, PA 17584
• Phone: (717) 393-9745
• Date: December 3, 2010 and December 4, 2010
• Time:
  Friday, December 3rd: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  Saturday, December 4th: 5::00 PM to 8:30 PM
• Admission:
  Adults, ages 13 and older: $7.00
  Children, ages 7 through 12, $3.00
  Young children, ages under 12: Free

Wrightsville

Artisans in The Rookery - This special holiday event features a talented array of local artists displaying their work for sale in the beautiful meeting room, The Rookery. A multi-artist show will be featured in the Susquehanna House Gallery at the same time.

• Location: Shank's Mare, 2092 Long Level Road, Route 624 South, 5 miles South of Wrightsville, Wrightsville, PA 17368
• Phone: (717) 252-1616
• Date: December 4, 2010 and December 5, 2010
• Time: Please call for details
• Admission: Free to attend

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:

January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

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Exploring Lancaster County Events - December, 2010

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