Holiday Events and Tree Lightings 2024

12:15PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

This year's holiday gatherings and annual tree lightings are being announced Here's what we have so far in events below. If we're missing any, let us know at info@iBerkshires.com.

Visit our Holiday Bazaars and Craft Fairs list for holiday craft fairs and markets.

Christmas Tree Lightings

Adams: Tree lighting and a visit from Santa at the annual Holly Days on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Town Common. Will include wagon rides, refreshments and activities. Home Holiday Decorating Contest registration is from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6, with judging on the following weekend. Look for the link online to register.

Cheshire: Annual tree lighting is Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6 at the town center. Festival of Trees opens in Community House at 5 and a hayride to the town center is at 5:30; Santa and refreshments will be available at Community House afterward. The Festival of Trees will be open in Community House weekdays.

Clarksburg: Peter A. Cook VFW Post 9144 sponsors this year's tree lighting ceremony at PFC Peter A. Cook Veterans Memorial Field on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. The Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company will be bringing Santa Claus to the event to greet the children. The post will be making its annual donations at this time.

Dalton: Festivities begin at 5 on Saturday, Dec. 7, and conclude with the tree lighting at 8. Santa will be making stops around town.

Great Barrington: Lightings of the town tree and menorah on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall followed by fireworks. Part of the Shop, Sip & Stroll in the downtown that features crafts, music, hayrides and Santa.

Lanesborough: The tree lighting is Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at the old Lanesborough Police Department on the corner of Church Street and Route 7. The school chorus will perform and there will be a free concession stand.

Lee: Tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at Church Park. Holiday music, carols, cookies and hot cocoa. Sponsored by Henry's Electric and the Lee Chamber of Commerce.

Lenox: Tree lighting in Lilac Park takes place Friday, Dec. 6, by 6 p.m. hosted by the Lenox Community Center. Come early for caroling with the LCC chorus at 5:45 and stay for pictures with Santa Claus in the gazebo. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available and bring a letter for Santa. Letters can be dropped off at the center through Sunday, Dec. 11.

North Adams: Annual event returns on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Monument Square. Santa Claus will arrive on the fire engine and give out goody bags. Drury band will perform.

The annual menorah lighting will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. The brief ceremony will be held in the City Hall lobby with Rabbi Rachel Barenblat sharing a few words to mark the start of the Hanukkah.

Readsboro, Vt.: The town holds its 25th annual tree lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m. at the bandstand.

Pittsfield: The tree lighting ceremony will begin at Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. with at Park Square. Hot chocolate and candy canes will be available and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to ring in the holiday season. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Center's food pantry.

Pownal, Vt.: Tree lighting at Town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. The festivities start with face painting, the school chorus, hot cocoa and cookies, from 3:30 to 4:30, when Santa arrives. Bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry.

Williamstown: the tree at the Williams Inn will be lighted on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m., accompanied by caroling. Part of the annual Holiday Walk.

South Williamstown Community Association hosts a tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Store at Five Corners. There will be carol singing, refreshments provided by the store and Santa. Bring a flashlight to read the song sheets that will be provided.

Sweetwood of Williamstown hosts a tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m.

The menorah candle will be lighted for the first night of Hannukah on the lawn at the Williams Inn on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 4:30 p.m. Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and Rabbi Seth Wax will lead the outdoor service. People of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds are invited to attend.

West Stockbridge: The annual "Sparkles" event hosted by the town's Parks & Recreation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 4:30 to 6 p.m, with the tree lighting at 5. Join the parade from Congregational Church to Town Hall for music, and gifts from Santa.

Stephentown, N.Y.: Lighted parade and tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 30. Lighted tractors, side-by-sides, floats, fire trucks and cars, and marching groups step off at 5:30 from the Fire Hall to the Veterans Park for the tree lighting.

Holiday Events

Adams: The Tinseliner Train returns with Santa, caroling and more. The Hoosac Valley Line runs the scenic Christmas train rides weekends through Dec. 15. Tickets from $5 to $25; more information here.

The Eagle Band's brass ensemble performs its 9th annual Holiday Music Concert in the GAR Memorial at the Adams Free Library on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. The free performance is presented by the Adams Historical Society. Elevator entrance is off Melrose Street.

Great Barrington: Southern Berkshire Chamber's Holiday Shop, Sip & Stroll runs Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Great Barrington from 2 to 8 p.m. More information here.

Lenox: Winterland starts Friday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 with a walk, dowtown shopping and tree lighting. Events will continue on Saturdays, Dec. 7 & 14, with shopping, crafts and Santa. See more information here.

NightWood, a light, sound, and color event, runs at The Mount from Nov. 22 through Jan. 6. Admission is $12 to $27 per person; register here. Lenox Community Night is Dec. 5.

North Adams: First Friday Festivities on Friday, Dec. 6, include self-guided tours of the LumiNAMA displays throughout the downtown, gallery openings, and shopping specials.

Stockbridge: Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas runs Friday to Sunday, Dec. 6-8, with a range of holiday activities including live performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, shops, restaurants and Santa. On Sunday, the town re-enacts the spirit of Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene from noon to 2. More information and tickets here.

Naumkeag's Winterlights runs from Nov. 29 through Jan. 4; tickets are limited here. Berkshire Botanical holds its annual Holiday Market on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8. More information here.

Williamstown: The Williamstown Chamber's annual Holiday Walk runs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, with the popular Reindog Parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Activities, including some events Friday night, include breakfast with Santa in the Williams Inn ballroom, card and wreath making, a gingerbread house exhibit, caroling, hot chocolate, photo booths, and others. Some events have admission fees or require registration. See the full list here .

Tags: Christmas story, holiday story, tree lighting,

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Dalton Select Board Calls for Special Election

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:55PM / Tuesday, November 26, 2024

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board has called a special election to fill its vacant seat left by former member Joseph Diver after delaying the decision on a citizen's petition.

Diver announced that he would be stepping down from his seat effective Oct. 1 during a meeting at the beginning of September.

The board has been discussing whether to hold a special election since October but was hesitant because of cost, proximity to the presidential election, and confusion regarding state law procedures.

The decision no longer became one the board could make following a citizen petition led by Robert Collins, which garnered 237 signatures from residents calling for a special election. The petition had 223 certified signatures.

During a meeting at the beginning of November, board members delayed the decision to call a special election until the town confirmed that proper legal procedures were followed.

"I talked to our town lawyer and he said he was satisfied with everything in place, and we could go ahead and proceed with it. So, that made me satisfied," Chair Robert Bishop said.

The special election to complete the last months of Diver's three-year term will take place on Monday, Feb. 3, at the Senior Center. Residents running for the vacant seat can pull papers at the town clerk's office between Tuesday, Nov.26, and Dec. 24.

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