Downtown Buffalo sparkles and shines for the holidays

Throughout the month of December, theatergoers attend performances of traditional holiday shows and concerts at the city’s many venues. Among the performances this year were “A Christmas Story, the Musical” at Shea’s Performing Arts Center; a Holiday Pops concert by John Morris Russell and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus at Kleinhans Music Hall; “The Night Before Christmas” at the Lancaster Opera House; and “The Nutcracker in the City of Light,” a retelling of the classic story set in Buffalo during the Pan American Exposition of 1901, performed by Configuration Dance Theatre and School of Ballet at the Nichols School’s Flicking Theatre. Annual performances by the Vocális Chamber Choir, Buffalo Choral Arts Society and Buffalo Opera Unlimited also are traditions cherished by many Buffalonians. Ongoing events such as the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights keep the holiday spirit alive. The Fairgrounds in Hamburg host the biggest holiday festival in Western New York. Visitors stroll through the grounds, illuminated with holiday decorations, and explore unique activities in each building. A must-see, especially for photographers, is Christmas Tree Forest, a swath of almost 100 trees ablaze with twinkling lights. Another favorite sight is the North Pole Experience, a walk-through adventure that leads to Santa’s front porch. Other season-long festivals of lights are held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston and in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where more than 2 million lights dazzle visitors along the Niagara Parkway. Buffalonians also have plenty of opportunities to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Numerous entertainment facilities, restaurants, brewpubs and bars will be hosting parties with live music and party favors. But many people will be attending Buffalo’s Big Three events: the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop; First Night Buffalo and the Statler City Ice Ball. The Ball Drop, at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at Roosevelt Plaza, is one of the most popular places to bring in 2017. In fact, it’s the second largest ball drop in the country—this year, it could draw more than 40,000 people. The 26^th annual New Year’s Eve party starts at 10:30 p.m., with a live show by local performers. At midnight the ball drops from the The Electric Tower and fireworks light up the night sky. For those who don’t want to stay up late or brave the cold, the 28^th Annual First Night Buffalo, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Buffalo Convention Center, offers a family-friendly and affordable celebration with carnival rides, bounce houses, an illusionist, exotic animals and other entertaining things for everyone to do. The grand finale is a balloon drop at 9:45 p.m. Folks who want to celebrate the New Year in style love the Statler City Ice Ball, presented in 2016 for the sixth year. From 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31, ticket holders will be treated to fancy dinners, drinks and dancing to live music. Black tie isn’t required, but most folks like to dress up for the Ice Ball. With all this going on, downtown is definitely the place to be during the holiday season, and for those who want to be close to the excitement all year round, Canterbury Woods Gates Circle is the place to live. A select group of vibrant, active people will be moving into this unique continuing care retirement community, now under construction in an ideal location adjacent to the charming Elmwood Village neighborhood. These fortunate folks will occupy luxuriously appointed apartment homes tailored to their individual tastes and needs. And like the residents of Canterbury Woods Williamsville’s charming, maintenance-free apartments and patio homes, they’ll be free to enjoy a wide range of onsite services and amenities, secure in the knowledge that their health care needs will be taken care of, now and in the future. Would you like to know more about how you can create your ideal retirement lifestyle at one of Canterbury Woods’ communities? Join us for special, upcoming events that will introduce you to Canterbury Woods, or call (716) 929-5817 for more information. Learn more about Canterbury Woods Gates Circle at one of our upcoming presentations, or call (716) 929-5811 to schedule a visit.