SYRACUSE -- Season 3 of the award-winning British historical drama Downton Abbey doesn't premiere here in "The States" until January. But fans can get a sneak peek in December, without flying to England (where the entire season aired earlier this fall and is already available on DVD). WCNY-TV is hosting a preview party in December. It's free, but seating is limited, and advance registration is required.
According to the Events Page at wcny.org, the screening will take place at the Red House Arts Center at 201 South West Street in Syracuse, on Sunday, December 16 at 4:00pm. Registrations will be accepted until Friday, December 14, or until all seats are taken, whichever comes first. You can register online, or by phone at (315) 453-2424.
Downton Abbey's third season will begin airing on PBS stations across the country on January 6, 2013. According to WCNY's website, the series will air "over seven Sundays," taking it through most of February -- including a likely overlap with the end of the Super Bowl on February 3.
According to the PBS network website, viewers looking for a refresher on Season Two can catch the entire series on Sundays during December. A two-hour episode on December 2 will be followed by back-to-back one-hour episodes on December 9 and 16, with additional two-hour episodes on December 23 and 30. Season Three premieres the following Sunday.