Celebrate the Season
We hope you enjoy our rundown of holiday events in the region. Just click on the titles and you will link directly to each event site for further information. This is a glorious time to live (or visit) where we do! All of us at BerkshireStyle wish you a season filled with peace, happiness and, above all, love.
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 24
6th ANNUAL KENT HOLIDAY CHAMPAGNE STROLL
Friday November 23 & Saturday November 24, 4–7:30 PM
Twenty-five distinctive shops serve champagnes and other bubblies and offer special promotions. Check-in begins at 4 PM at the Swift House, 12 Maple Street or Preferred Hardwood Floors, 19 Kent Green Blvd. Strollers who visit at least three retailers in each zone will be entered into a drawing for a bottle of champagne.
MESSIAH SING IN
Saturday, November 24 at 4PM
Frank Nemhauser, accompanied by the Berkshire Bach Players, conducts a seasoned instrumental ensemble of professional musicians. Bring your own score, borrow or buy one at the door.
Phone 413.528.9555
First Congregational Church
251 Main Street Great Barrington MA 01230
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Friday, November 30, Grounds, doors and cash bar open 5 PM; Service at 6PM.
Readings by noted Berkshire residents, choral music and singing of familiar carols modeled on the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols first held in England in 1918. It will be held in the 1830 Brick Dwelling.
413.443.0188
1843 West Housatonic St. Pittsfield. MA. 01201
WEEK OF DECEMBER 1
CANDLELIT EVENINGS
December 1 & 8, 3 – 7PM
Stroll Hancock Shaker village to experience New England traditions, storytelling, festive foods, candlelight, and caroling. Stroll the grounds by lantern light and see goats, donkeys, sheep and pigs in the Round Stone Barn. Make a holiday craft. Hear the Shaker Christmas story in the Brick Dwelling. Warm up with heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and mulled cider.
413.443.0188
1843 West Housatonic St. Pittsfield. MA. 01201
HOOKED ON THE HOLIDAYS AT AMFF
Saturday, December 1 1-4 PM
The American Museum of Fly Fishing has the world’s largest collection of rods, reels, flies, tackle, art, photographs, manuscripts, etc. In the spirit of Manchester Merriment, admission is free from opening until closing. Decorate cookies, tie “clown flies” for the tree, sip hot cocoa, and roast s’mores on the lawn while mom and dad learn to cast from the experts.
802.362.3300
The American Museum of Fly Fishing.4070 Main Street.Manchester. VT.05254
WILLIAMSTOWN HOLIDAY WALK
Saturday December 1. Starts at 9AM
Includes such events as the Run with the Reindeer 5K Fun Run, Habitat for Humanity Tree Showcase, Gingerbread Cookie decorating, holiday crafting and store specials.
413.458.9077
Saturday December 2 from 9AM-4PM
84 Spring Street. Williamstown. MA. 01267
STOCKBRIDGE MAIN STREET AT CHRISTMAS
November 30-December 2
The town of Stockbridge transforms into a Norman Rockwell painting celebrating what is considered by many the quintessential small New England Town. Main Street is decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, complete with vintage automobiles. Activities include horse drawn rides and a visit from Santa.
Phone 413.298.5200
Main Street.Stockbridge.MA.01262
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
Saturday December 1 from 10AM - 5PM
Sunday December 2 from 10AM - 4 PM
Gallery of wreaths, decorations for table and home, seasonal plants and blooms, decorative swags and greens and a selection of unique gifts from regional vendors. Early buying BBG members only 10-11AM.
Phone 413.298.3926
50 West Stockbridge Road.Stockbridge.MA.01262
22nd ANNUAL HUDSON WINTER WALK
Saturday December 1 from 5-8PM
Hudson Hall’s annual holiday celebration when the mile-long historic main street is transformed into a winter wonderland of music, performance, food, holiday shopping and family fun. Choristers, Santa Clause in a horse-drawn sleigh, an exhibition of photographic portraits, stage performances, reindeer, fireworks and Santa’s Village.
Phone: 518.822.1438
Hudson Hall.327 Warren Street.Hudson.NY.12534
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS
Saturday December 1 & Sunday December 2
rom 9AM-12PM, and 1-4 PM
Come make a beautiful wreath with freshly cut greens, cones, berries and ribbon. Family sessions will be held 1-4 PM on Saturday and 9AM to noon on Sunday. Children under age 8 can make their own wreaths on folding frames with pre-cut greens. Children 8-12 can cut their own greens and wire them to a frame with their parents.
Adult sessions will be held 9AM-Noon, Saturday and 1-4PM Sunday.
To register contact jean@greatmountainforest.org.
Visitor Center. 200 Canaan Mountain Road. Falls Village.CT.06031
FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday December 2 at 7PM.
Phone: 860.435.4423
Hotchkiss School.11 Interlaken Road. Lakeville.CT.06039
A RENAISSANCE HOLIDAY CONCERT
Sunday December 2 at 4 PM
The Salisbury Association’s popular annual holiday concert works from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods as well as music of the season.
860.435.0566
The Academy Building. 24 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
WEEK OF DECEMBER 7
MESSIAH SING IN
Friday December 7 at 7:30PM
Program will include the Christmas portion plus the Hallelujah Chorus.
860.355.5930
St Andrew’s Church.1 North Main Street.Kent.CT.06757
CHRISTMAS TOWN FESTIVAL
Friday December 7 from 5 - 10PM
Saturday December 8 8:30AM - 4PM.
Celebrate the holiday in Bethlehem, the town dubbed “The Christmas Town" for its annual Christmas Town Festival featuring buildings and churches decorated and brimming with holiday crafters and delicious food. WFSB anchor Nicole Nalepa will be the honorary emcee at the 6 p.m. opening ceremony on Friday.
Phone 203.266.7510 Extension 300
On the Green. Bethlehem. CT.06751
MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
Friday December 7 - Sunday December 9
Town Tree Lighting Friday night followed by Santa Pub Crawl 6-11PM.
Saturday Holiday Stroll in downtown with caroling and more 10AM-7PM. Sunday, Holiday Tour of eight venues decorated for season. Sunday, 3PM, Holiday Concert, Trinity Church, Lenox.01240
Phone: 413.637.3646
HOLIDAY SHOP, SIP & STROLL
Saturday, December 8 from 3-8PM
Downtown Great Barrington will have lots of holiday fun, including a central bonfire, holiday music, face painting, a food court, raffles, fireworks and Santa.
Phone: 413.528.4284
HOTCHKISS ENSEMBLES CONCERT
Saturday, December 8, 7PM
Katherine M. Elfers Hall, The Esther Eastman Music Center
860.435.4423
The Hotchkiss School, 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville CT 06039
NEW PRESTON WINTER WALK
Saturday December 8 from 1 - 4PM
The windows in every shop, all surrounded with balsam garlands and twinkling lights will dazzle with enticing displays.
860.868.0066
New Preston.Connecticut.06777
BERKSHIRE CONCERT CHOIR AT THE FESTIVAL TREES
Sunday December 9 at 3:30PM
Join the women of Pittsfield’s own Berkshire Concert Choir as they perform a program of Christmas music from early Renaissance to contemporary compositions. The repertoire ranges from traditional carols to holiday pop tunes.
413.443.7171
Berkshire Museum.39 South Street.Pittsfield.MA. 01201
WEEK DECEMBER 14
OF A WINTER’S NIGHT: A BANJO-DRIVE CELEBRATION
December 15 at 7 PM
Grammy nominated banjo master Tony Trischka and his band present a banjo-driven celebration of the season.
518.392.6121
Performance Spaces for 21st Century 2980 Rt 66 Chatham NY 12037
NUTMEG’S NUTCRACKER
Saturday December 15 at 2PM & 7PM; Sunday December 16 at 2PM
Set the Christmas Season with the richness and joy of The Nutcracker as performed by the Nutmeg Conservatory.
Phone: 860.489.7180
Warner Theatre.68 Main Street.Torrington.CT.06790
WINTER SONGFEST
Saturday December 15 at 3 PM
A festive holiday celebration with Dawn Upshaw and students of the Bard Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program, postgraduate collaborative piano fellows, Hudson Valley Brass, and, as special guests, the chorus from the Mill Road Primary School.
Phone: 845.758.7196
Bard College Conservatory of Music.Annandale-on-Hudson.NY.12504
WEEK OF DECEMBER 29
BERKSHIRE BACH: BACH AT NEW YEAR
Eugene Drucker, director | The Berkshire Bach Ensemble
Two Brandenburgs and Festive Concerti by Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli and Telemann
Monday, December 31, 6PM
413.528.0100
Mahaiwe.14 Castle Street.Great Barrington. MA.01230
ONGOING EVENTS
SALISBURY ARTISANS GROUP HOLIDAY MARKET
November 24 - 25; November 30, December 1 & 2.
Friday, 3 – 7PM, Saturday, 10AM – 5PM, Sunday, 10AM – 4PM.
Features more than 25 artisans from Salisbury and beyond. Handcrafted items include pottery, textiles, organic skin care, jewelry, felted toys, jams and more. Each day the sale benefits a different area non-profit.
White Hart Inn, Route 44, Salisbury. CT. 06068
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Through December 1, Daily, noon to 4PM
Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 6PM
Gala Party December 1 from 5-7PM.
Phone 860.435.9851
Noble Horizons 17 Cobble Road.Salisbury.CT.06068
WHIMSICAL WONDERFUL FESTIVAL TREES
Through January 7
Visit an indoor forest of embellished trees boasting unlikely marriages of objects, strange juxtapositions and marvelous scenes—a spectacular toy land, a lighthearted garden party, an amusing fun house or even an enchanted castle
Phone: 413.443.7171
Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street. Pittsfield, MA. 01201
HOOSAC VALLEY TRAIN RIDE
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Saturdays and Sundays, November 23-December 16, 12,2 & 4PM.
The Tinsel Train, a Christmas-themed event, seeks to capture a moment in time and a sense of nostalgia by evoking 1955 Christmas.
Phone: 413.637.2210
98 Crowley Avenue.North Adams.MA.01240
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
December 8-December 22 at 7PM
Matinees 2PM December 9, 15 & 16
sensory-friendly performance, December 12 at 6PM
A Christmas Carol promises a night to remember for the entire family with performances of this favorite holiday classic.
Phone 413.997.4444
Colonial Theatre.111 South Street.Pittsfield.MA.01201
BERKSHIRE GROWN HOLIDAY FARMERS’ MARKETS
Great Barrington Markets & Williamstown Markets
December 15 - February 16
Phone: 413-528-0041
Monument Valley Middle School.Stockbridge.MA.01230
Williams College Field House.Williamstown.MA.01267
HANCOCK HOLIDAYS
December 1 - 23
Weekends filled with New England holiday traditions, live music, storytelling, festive foods and strolls around the decorated historic Village. Walk, ski, or snowshoe the trails. Say hello to the baby cows and other heritage breeds that live in the Round Barn. Guided tours of the 19th-century Brick Dwelling at 11AM and 2PM.
413.443.0188
1843 West Housatonic St. Pittsfield. MA. 01201
TOUR A DECKED-OUT INN
Saturday, December 1 & 8, 12PM - 4PM
Tour 24 participating lodging properties in a self-guided tour guide through the Manchester, VT, area. Decked to the hilt, offering light bites and good cheer, each address showcases its own unique holiday charm. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit The Community Food Cupboard.
802.375.6532
EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS 1912
December through January
Robert and Mary Lincoln’s, Abraham Lincoln’s only surviving son and daughter-in-law, lived at Hildene. For the holidays the country estate is festooned with Victorian finery, just as it was when they lived there. Take the self-guided tour, keeping an eye out for details such as a gift for Robert, Christmas crackers and vintage ornaments.
800.578.1788
1005 Hildene Road.Manchester.VT.05254