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.

Hancock: The town is starting a Christmas tree lighting tradition on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Lanesborough: The tree lighting is Thursday, Dec. 5, 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 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25. 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.

Washington: The annual lighting of the town's tree on the park will be at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, with hot cocoa and caroling.

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.

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 Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 6:15 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.

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 .

The 1753 House Committee and the Williamstown Historical Museum invite the community to the annual 1753 House Carol Sing on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. The event is a free, ecumenical event for all ages. Deborah Burns will lead the a cappella singing beside a roaring blaze in the fireplace. Hot mulled cider, donated by Provisions, and carol books are provided. There is no heat or electricity in the 1753 House, so dress warmly and bring a light to see by. Parking is available at the library.

Tags: Christmas story, holiday story, tree lighting,

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Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, December 28, 2024

The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count.

The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others.

Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former Hoffmann Bird Club president and longtime Christmas Bird Count participant.

Bird watching is the most popular leisure time activity in the United States, said David Schaller, North County count compiler and a leader of Saturday's team.

"It's a way to be outside. It's a way to connect with nature. It's good exercise. It's good mentally — you're trying to look at a bird and figure out what kind of bird it is," he said.

"For some participants in our group, it's a family tradition that is as important to them as other Christmas traditions."

This one-day activity is far more than that for many. It introduces new participants to a wealth of knowledge in environmental and natural science and can transform into a lifelong hobby because of its vast number of topics, Tyning said.

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