Holiday Happenings
Dec. 8 .A Classical Christmas, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Robert Franz with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, perform a selection of classical favorites for the holidays, including works by Bach, Schubert, Harris and Corelli. Call 885-0331 or visit www.bpo.org for more information. Dec. 8

Hark, The Glad Sound! More than 120 singers and musicians perform your favorite holiday music under the direction of Marcia A. Giambrone, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna. Call 812-1541 or visit www.buffalochoralarts.org for more information. Dec. 8 Happy Holidays from The Improv

Buffet, The Amherst Players present an evening of improvisational comedy, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst.; $ Dec. 8 Michael Civisca Holiday Concert Our own young blue-eyes will crone holiday favorites beginning at 8 p.m., Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia. Call 679-1891 or visit http://fredopera.org for more information. Dec. 8

The Forgotten Holidays, lecture explaining practices brought here by the Dutch settlers in the 17th century as well as changes that have taken place in celebrations of Christmas and New Year's throughout history, 2 p.m., North Tonawanda History Museum, 314 Oliver St., North Tonawanda. Call 213-0554 or visit www.nthistorymuseum.org for more information. Dec. 9 Happy Holidays from The Improv Buffet, The Amherst Players present an evening of improvisational comedy at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst; $ Dec. 9

The Nutcracker, presented by the Greater Niagara Ballet Company at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Performing Arts Center, Niagara Falls High School, 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls. Call 1-877-236-8055 or visit www.niagaraballet.org for more information. Dec. 9

A Polish Christmas, 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at UB's Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre, Amherst. The concert will feature Warsaw Opera tenor Adam Zdunikowski and performances by The Lira Ensemble featuring The Lechicci Dancers, The Lira Dancers, The Lira Singers and The Lira Orchestra under the direction of Paul Dijkstra. Call 852-500 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information and tickets. Dec. 9 Cheektowaga Community Chorus Caroling, 7 p.m., Stiglmeier Park, 500 Losson Road, Cheektowaga. The Cheektowaga Community Chorus will sing as part of the Cheektowaga Tree Lighting ceremony. Dec. 9

Santa on the Carrousel, noon- 4 p.m., Herschell Carrousel Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda. Ride the carrousel with Santa. Call 693-1885 or visit www.carrouselmuseum.org for more information. Dec. 9

Sounds of Joy, 3 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 2049 George Urban Blvd., Cheektowaga. The Cheektowaga Community Chorus' holiday performance. Call 832-2226 or visit http://chorus.bfn.org for more information. Dec. 9

Spirit of Christmas, noon-2 p.m., Southgate Plaza, 950 Union Road, West Seneca. Strolling carolers and sleigh rides. Call 674-5050 or visit www.southgateplaza.com for more information. Dec. 9

Traditional Family Christmas, 1-6 p.m., Amherst Museum, 3577 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst. Music, decorations, wagon rides, lantern tours of the village. Call 689-1440 or visit www.amherstmuseum.org for more information. Dec. 9 .A Classical Christmas, 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Robert Franz with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, perform a selection of classical favorites for the holidays, including works by Bach, Schubert, Harris and Corelli. Call 885-0331 or visit www.bpo.org for more information. Dec. 9-10 Santa & His Reindeer visit the Big Red Caboose, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Niagara Hobby and Craft Mart, 3366 Union Road, Cheektowaga. Free gifts and photo for every child. Call 681-1666 or visit http://niagarahobby.com for more information. Dec. 9-10 Old World Market & Christmas Faire, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Holiday craft vendors, food and entertainment on Main Street (Route 63) in the Village of Medina. Call (585) 798-0710 or visit www.medinachristmasfaire.com for more information. Dec. 9-10

Silver Belles Festival, S alamanca, N.Y. An event to honor Ray Evans, the songwriter of "Mona Lisa," "Silver Bells," "Que Sera, Sera" and "Buttons and Bows." This event offers a spectacular Christmas show, parades, horse-drawn carriage rides, and spirited festivities. Call 945-2034 for more information. Dec. 10

Victorian Christmas, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Lancaster Historical Society Museum, 40 Clark St., Lancaster. Call 681-7719 for more information. Dec. 10

Hark, The Glad Sound! More than 120 singers and musicians perform your favorite holiday music under the direction of Marcia A. Giambrone at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, Our Lady of Victory Basilica, 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna. Call 812-1541 or visit www.buffalochoralarts.org for more information. Dec. 13

The Chopin Singing Society wil l perform holiday music beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 13 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Center Avenue, North Tonawanda. Dec. 14-23

A Christmas Carol, Alleyway Theatre's faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic to shift your holiday spirit into high gear. Runs through Saturday, Dec. 23; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m. through Dec. 23. $30/general admission; $20/students. Call 852-2600x0 or visit http://alleyway.com for more information. now-Dec. 10

Miracle on 34th Street Holiday hit produced by TNT Productions at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster. 683-1776, www.lancoper a.org now-Dec. 17 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Don't miss this classic tale, Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster. 683-1776, www.lancoper a.org now-Dec 23

The Fourth Wise Man Wor ld premiere of Tom Fontana and Kathleen Gaffney's play about Artaban, the fourth wise man who misses his chance to see Jesus - instead shares his gifts with the needy. Runs through Saturday, Dec. 23 at Studio Arena Theatre, 710 Main St., Buffalo. 856-5650, www.studioarena.org now-Dec. 31

Holiday Lights of Niagara, 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, Oppenheim Park, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Wheatfield. On Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8 p.m. there will be free children's crafts, photos with Santa or Gingerbread people and Santa's Secret Shop. The cost per vehicle is $8. Call 285-8461 x109 for more information.