Lighting Installations to Brighten Your Holiday
The final stretch of the holidays is upon us. Schools are closing, stores are filling up, and families are scrounging for activities to keep their family entertained. Here are some holiday installations to put a glimmer in your eyes.
Holiday lights at Hancock Shaker Village.
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
The historic village known for its iconic baby animals celebration all spring season is at it again but this time in the winter.
Walk around the snowy grounds that have become a winter wonderland illuminated by artist Joe Wheaton's spirited light projections.
Experience the village like you never have before with candle lit buildings, nativity animals, artisan gifts and decor, and a warm fire pit to enjoy adult or kids beverages.
The event will be open Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 23 and will be open Monday through Saturday, Dec. 26 until 31.
Tickets are discounted for members and free for children five and under. Tickets range from $10 to $22 dollars. Kids 5 and under are free.
Additional information and purchase tickets here.
Winterlights
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
The Trustees of Reservations' award-winning, immersive holiday light display returned this season for its fifth year.
Berkshire county residents and visitors are able to explore Naumkeag's gardens and estate that have been illuminated by hundreds of thousands of lights.
The sparkling display is sure to bring you some holiday cheer. The 48-acre grounds will house some of visitors favorite installations including Rainbow Road, The Laser Light Forest, and Blue Steps along with new elements to surprise those who have made this part of their holiday traditions.
As part of a garden restoration project the site debuted a new path through the orchard designed to improve the terrain.
Although the path improved the terrain this installation is not for those with mobility issues.
There will be no on-site parking at WinterLights this year but parking will be available on both sides of Town Hall at 50 Main St. and a short shuttle will take you to the property.
In addition to Winterlights at Naumkeag the Trustees will be having winter light exhibitions on 2 more of their properties – the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate (Canton), and Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens (North Andover).
All three properties will have food, refreshments, and more to enhance the magical experience.
The displays will run Wednesdays through Sundays from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. until Jan. 7th, at all three locations.
Tickets from $5 to $27; children under 2 are free.
More information on Winterlights at Naumkeag here.
More information on Winterlights at the other Trustee locations here.
Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
The Mount has decked out its grounds for the annual Nightwood installation with lights and music to provide an immersive experience to its visitors.
Although the exhibition is not holiday focused, the way the sounds and lights mingle with the snowy grounds will create a magical experience that is sure to brighten up your holidays.
This year the route is different and includes three new sound and light elements, including "The Pool," "The Glass Garden" and "The Heart of the Forest."
The exhibit runs until Jan. 1. Tickets are free for Community Partners and EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare Card holders as part of the museum's NightWood Card to Culture program. Children under 5 are also free.
Tickets cost $10 for ages 6 to 18 and $22 for adults 19 and older. More information here.
Check out our last article on this fanciful experience here.
Winter Festival
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
The Berkshire Museum reimagined its popular "Festival of Trees" exhibit with a new "Winter Festival" to improve inclusivity.
The Winter Festival not only attempts to hold onto the community engagement but also demonstrates the beauty and opportunities that the county has to offer to visitors from outside the area.
The exhibition attempts to make the visitor feel like they, too, are going on Hoot's journey. In the end they return to the present and celebrate the winter season by looking down at the cities, surrounded by trees, and listening to the sounds of the owls.
This scene from nature helps create the cozy feeling the holidays in the Berkshires bring. More information here.
The exhibition "Santa Classics" furthers this emotional experience by bringing the joyful humorous component into the picture.
Artist and photographer Ed Wheeler reimagines classic paintings by superimposing himself as Santa into it with humor and a great respect for the originals. More information here.
Check out our last article on these exhibits here.
Honorary Mention Outside the County:
Bright Nights at Forest Park
Springfield
Drive through a winter wonderland at Forest Park to celebrate the last week of the holiday season.
The lighting experience has been reported as one of the Northeast's premier holiday lighting experiences.
This collaboration between the City of Springfield's Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management and the Spirit of Springfield welcomes more than 6 million visitors every year.
The Bright Nights at Forest Park 2022 Season ends Jan. 1. Tickets cost $23 per car and $35 per Limousine. More information here.
Winter Wonderland Light Display
Look Park, Florence
Take a drive through Look Park's free light display that will run until Jan. 1 to brighten up your holidays.
The display coincides with their Santa's Trains event which runs from 4 to 8:00 p.m. daily until Dec. 23.
Each night the Look Park Express wagon ride takes visitors through the park to witness the stunning display. Look Park Express wagon is $5 per person.
More information on the light display here.
More information on the Santa Trains here.
Holiday Light Walkthrough
McCray's Farm, South Hadley
McCray's Farm is lighting up its farm to provide a walk through light show until Dec. 31, closed Christmas day.
The farm is known for its Halloween experience which runs deep in their DNA, and will be incorporated into the walk but there won't be anything haunted or scary in the experience.
The walk is entirely outside and takes about 30 minutes. Tickets cost $15 and children 2 and under will be free. Reservations are preferred, but not required.
More information here.
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