Look for more calendar events on our UPDATED website! www.wnyfamilymagazine.com
$10 per non-member family. Aquarium
of Niagara, 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara
Falls. 716-285-3575 ext. 209. www.
aquariumofniagara.org No registration required. FREE. Reinstein
Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Dr.,
Depew. 716-683-5959. www.dec.ny.gov THE AURORA THEATRE’S
SATURDAY | DECEMBER 8 FRIDAY | DECEMBER 14 Au-Some Evening Once a
month, these special FREE
Au-some Evenings give
children
with
autism
spectrum disorder and
sensory
disorder
an
opportunity
to
play
and learn together in an
understanding and supportive
environment, 5:30pm-8pm. Explore
& More Children’s Museum, 300
Gleed Ave., East Aurora. 716-655-
5131. www.exploreandmore.org Gather the whole family and come
to The Aurora Theatre for a very special
holiday experience. From a beautifully
decorated lobby inspired by a Hollywood
movie set to candy cane popcorn, your
visit will truly get everyone in the
holiday spirit. This year, the schedule
of FREE movies is bigger and
better than ever!
The “Hollywood Holidays”
experience
begins
the
moments guests arrive at
the theatre. As they enter
the lobby, they will be
surrounded by Hollywood
magic with exhibits featuring
original props, costumes, and
more from Universal’s “How
the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
On loan from a local
collector, the exhibits
re-create scenes from
the movie and are the
perfect background for a
holiday photo. Each year, the
exhibits are changed to highlight
different scenes from the movie, but
also new items added to the collection.
The collection is noted as being the
second largest in the country.
The schedule is as follows, with doors
opening at 10am; movies shown at 11am.
Wegmans Family Day - Santa’s
Workshop Come join us for this annual
family holiday tradition for some hands-on
fun! Have fun at activity stations throughout
the Botanical Gardens, 10am-4pm. Photo
prints with Santa will be available for
$5 each. All activities are peanut-allergy
friendly. Buffalo & Erie County Botanical
Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo.
716-827-1584. www.buffalogardens.com
Frosty and Friends Meet and take pictures
with Frosty and the “huggable snowman”
as the duo stroll through the museum, Sat.
& Sun., Dec. 8 & 9, from 1pm-4pm. Marvel
at a detailed winter village scene crafted
by Rochester LEGO Users Group. Read
a snowy story to Tacky the Penguin and
cozy up with a book in the Winter Reading
Corner. Design a colorful snowflake,
craft a penguin using your handprint,
and try your hand at a snowman bowling
game. The Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan
Square, Rochester. 585-263-2700. www.
museumofplay.org
Castle by Candlelight Tour and explore
Old Fort Niagara’s 1726 French Castle,
which will be festively decorated for the
season and lit entirely by candles. Meet
historical characters and witness the firing
of the grand feu de joie. Kids can make
crafts and try writing with a quill pen!
6:30pm-8:15pm. Tickets sold at the door:
$15/person. Children ages 5 and under
are FREE. Old Fort Niagara, Fort Niagara
State Park, Youngstown. 716-754-7611.
www.oldfortniagara.org
SUNDAY | DECEMBER 9
Jingle Bell Jam Sing along with the Buffalo
Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoy cookies and
milk with Santa, and share the spirit of the
season by donating a toy to Toys for Tots.
Concert 2:30pm; pre-concert, make cards
for our friends in the military. Tickets: $26
Adults; $16 Children. Kleinhans Music
Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo. 716-
885-5000. www.bpo.org
WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 12
Wild Wednesday Together, kids and their
parents or caregivers can enjoy a different,
fun, hour-long outdoor activity, 4:30pm-
5:30pm. For children in grades K through 5.
FREE
SATURDAY | DECEMBER 15
Tis the SEAson Santa Claus is coming
to the Aquarium of Niagara, Sat. &
Sun., Dec. 15 & 16. Join Santa in a
sing along during our Christmas
Sea Lion Show, play some
reindeer games, and visit
Penguin Coast for Mrs.
Claus’s Holiday with the
Humboldt’s! Make your
own Hot Chocolate Bar
with a holiday cookie for
$5! Activities: 10am-3pm.
Santa Claus: 11am-11:45am
and 1pm-1:45pm. Aquarium of Niagara,
701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls. 716-285-
3575. www.aquariumofniagara.org
Pajamas & Stories with Santa & Mrs.
Claus Children are invited to wear their
favorite Christmas pajamas, and join in on
some holiday fun, 10am-Noon. Stories and
songs with Mrs. Claus followed by pictures
with Santa. $5/child. Space is limited.
Second session: Dec. 16, 4pm-6pm. For
tickets call 433-2617. Kenan Center, 433
Locust St., Lockport. www.kenancenter.org
Deck the Halls from 10am-4pm at the
Power Vista. Crafts and FREE photos
with our special guest, Santa
Claus, from 11am to 3pm.
Musical
performances
and
an informational exhibit on
energy efficient lights with
tips on celebrating a green
holiday. In addition to tree
viewing, guests are
invited to enjoy the
all-new state-of-the-
art exhibits. Parking
and admission are FREE.
Holiday Movies
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
The Star
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
The Man Who Invented
Christmas
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
Home Alone
(This is also “Grinch Day” - meet the
collector, costumed characters, and, weather
permitting, an appearance on the Grinch’s
sleigh, one of two used in the movie.)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
A Christmas Story (11am)
Christmas Vacation (9pm)
following East Aurora’s “Carolcade.”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
A Christmas Carol
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22
The Polar Express
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23
It’s A Wonderful Life
The Aurora Theatre is located
at 673 Main St., East Aurora. For
more details, call 716-652-1660 or
visit www.theauroratheatre.com.
December 2018 WNY Family 47