What's happening around Lancaster this week

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Wednesday, Dec. 17, and Thursday, Dec. 18, it's Reindeer Round-up at the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster. "Meet Rudolph and his relatives who call the top of the world home. No elf experience is necessary to become part of the team that takes care of Santa's (pretend) reindeer. Drop-in anytime. Ages 2-10 with an adult." Free with $7 admission. Hours are 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Hands-On House is located at 721 Landis Valley Rd.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, adapted by Gary Smith is playing at the Stahr Performing Arts Center in Lancaster. "Performances: Dec. 10-11; 12, 19, and 26; 13, 20 and 27; 14, 21 and 28. To reserve tickets and for times call the box office, e-mail us at theseventhsister@mac.com, or online." The Stahr Performing Arts Center is located at 438 N. Queen St.

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and Franklin & Marshall College are presenting Sounds of the Season "Thursday - Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday - Sunday at 3 pm. The whole family will get into the spirit with glorious sounds of the season from many traditions. An ensemble from the Lancaster Symphony Chorus will join the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra for carols and unforgettable music." Performances to take place in the Barshinger Center. Tickets are $42. For more information, visit http://www.fandm.edu/boxoffice.xml or http://www.lancastersymphony.org/20082009SeasonSchedule/20082009SoundsoftheSeason/tabid/1637/Default.aspx.

The Ice Park at Clipper Stadium has hours Thursday (Dec. 18) through Sunday (Dec. 21). "Skate under the stars in Lancaster's only outdoor ice skating rink! Open Thursdays through Sundays through February 28, plus special holiday week hours. Rental skates available. Call us for more information on group skating rates!" Visit http://lancasterbarnstormers.com for further information.

Candlelight tours of President James Buchanan's Wheatland estate are being held on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20. "A Lancaster tradition; enjoy the holidays and history with a very special evening tour of Wheatland, the home of the 15th President of the United States. See website for admission." Tours start at 6:00 p.m. 1120 Marietta Ave.

The city is holding ongoing events called Downtown Lancaster for the Holidays. "Come to Downtown Lancaster for the holidays! Experience the city with a variety of events, activities and shopping, including visits with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, holiday movies and storytelling, plus stop at 200+ specialty shops, galleries, museums and restaurants. Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. noon-4 p.m."

Dec. 19 is a Music Friday in downtown Lancaster. "Shops and restaurants spread throughout the 200 and 300 blocks of N. Queen Street host an evening dedicated to music! Different artists are scheduled each third Friday, both inside local stores and on the sidewalks. Committed performances include belly dancing, a jazz quintet, solo, acoustic, rock and American groups."

The Pennsylvania Academy of Music is having a Next Generation Chamber Music - All School Concert on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. "The Academy Children's Choir, Cambiata Choir, Academy Chorale, Girls' Chorus, Chamber Gourp, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Sinfonia Orchestra perform seasonal favorites." Complimentary admission. Reservations accepted two weeks in advance.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, "The Parlor Gallery hosts a reception for the latest works by artist Christian Herr, titled New Strings, for a pre-holiday opening on December 20th. For more information, call or go online." 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 230 Laurel St.

On Thursday, Dec. 18 "from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. at Radiance, Jill Althouse-Wood leads us in her journaling workshop series, Deep Journaling. Jill is a writer and artist whose first novel 'Summers at Blue Lake' reached the shelves in bookstores nationwide last summer." 9 West Grant St. Visit the website for further information.