iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

SEAN MCCUSKER LIVE PAINTING DEMO
Becket, 1 - 2 p.m.

Sean McCusker will be demonstrating the techniques that make his work a unique fixture of the Berkshires arts scene. Landscapes full of contrast and color, his glazed oil paintings express a mysterious drama that is unmistakable.

Sean’s paintings are made up of roughly thirty thin, transparent layers, each one adding complexity. Becket Arts Center

WHOSE TRACKS ARE THESE'
Lenox, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Wild animals are active year-round at Pleasant Valley. Play fun tracking games while looking for animal tracks, homes, and other signs of activity at the sanctuary. Learn how to piece together the clues that wildlife leaves behind to uncover their hidden world. Who: Families- Adults with children 6 to 12.

Cost: (all ages): Members $12, Non-members $15 Where: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mt Rd. Lenox MA 01240 Link to register: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/99144-whose-tracks-are-these For more info: 413-637-0320 berkshires@massaudubon.org

MUTTS GONE NUTS: SANTA PAWS
Pittsfield, 2 p.m.

Get ready for a tail-wagging, laugh-out-loud holiday treat for the whole family as Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws returns to The Colonial Theatre (111 South St., Pittsfield, MA) with more mayhem, more mischief and even more four-legged fun. To purchase tickets, visit berkshiretheatre.org.

READING AND TEA AT ARROWHEAD
Pittsfield, 2 pm

The Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) welcomes author Kevin O'Hara to Herman Melville's historic home. O'Hara will read selections from his writing. Following the reading, guests can interact with the author while enjoying tea, hot toddies and an array of sweets.

BERKSHIRE LYRIC PRESENTS: IN DULCI JUBILO
Washington | Pittsfield, 3 p.m.

Berkshire Lyric presents In Dulci Jubilo, the second of their three 2025 Christmas Concerts on Sunday December 14. The choral program will take place at 3:00 at Saint James Place on Main Street in Great Barrington. Traditional and contemporary a cappella carols by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Lauridsen, Randall Thompson, the Berkshire's Charlie Fitzhugh and others will take advantage of the beautiful setting and acoustics of this former Episcopal church. The 85 voice Berkshire Lyric Chorus will be joined by our young women’s ensemble Melodious Accord and soloists Steve Hassmer and John Demler. Tickets are $35 and will be sold at the door or in advance through the website www.BerkshireLyric.org . This popular concert in Great Barrington has been sold out for several years, so purchase tickets early.

FAMILY HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Becket, 4 - 6 p.m.

? Celebrate Hanukkah with the Becket Arts Center on December 14, 2025 (First night of Hanukkah) ?

Join us for a Hanukkah celebration at BAC. Let’s fill the evening with light, laughter, song, and community spirit!

$10 per person (Free for Becket Arts Center Members)

Open to friends of all ages and to anyone who savors the holiday spirit, singing, silliness, and the smell of sizzling latkes!

LENOX MEETING HOUSE COMMUNITY CAROLING
Lenox, 4:30 to 6 pm

MUTTS GONE NUTS: SANTA PAWS
Pittsfield, 5 p.m.

MONDAY - DECEMBER 15, 2025

AN EVENING WITH THE BERKSHIRE MEDIUM
Great Barrington, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Join us at Berkshire South Regional Community Center for An Evening with The Berkshire Medium, Pam Ellis. Pam has helped countless people find comfort and clarity by connecting with loved ones who have passed. She’s shared her gift at local organizations, schools, and on TV—and now she’s bringing that experience to Berkshire South.

You never know… a loved one may have a message waiting for you.

https://berkshiresouth.org/community-adult/

TUESDAY - DECEMBER 16, 2025

BABY & TODDLER PLAYGROUP
Becket, 10-11 a.m.

Circle time, stories, movement, music and play for kids birth through age 3 at the Becket Athenaeum; siblings are always welcome. Coffee and tea for caregivers, snacks for kids.

In collaboration with the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program, which the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care funds.

Email info@bwlibrary.org to RSVP and click here to view all library events.

BERKSHIRE GREEN DRINKS: A NEW VISION FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Pittsfield, 6 pm

Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) staff members will share updates from their work in 2025 at the December Berkshire Green Drinks event. This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at BEAT's Environmental Leadership and Education Center, 20 Chapel St, Pittsfield, MA. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 17, 2025

TRACKING WINTER WILDLIFE FOR BEGINNERS
Lenox, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Dive into the fascinating world of wildlife tracking with a beginner-friendly walk in search of tracks, scat, and signs of predator and prey interactions. ADULTS. $15 Members, $20 Non-members Where: The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home, 3 Plunkett St. Lenox MA 01240 Link to register: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/98312-tracking-winter-wildlife-for-beginners For more info: 413-637-0320, berkshires@massaudubon.org

BERKSHIRE ATHENAEUM ANNOUNCES FAMILY SEARCH 101 SESSION
Pittsfield, 1:30 pm

The Local History Department of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, announces Family Search 101. Researcher David Heath will present an introduction to the basics of Family Search, a free genealogy database.

RIGGS THEATRE 37 PRESENTS: MOLIèRE'S THE LEARNED LADIES
Stockbridge, 7:30 p.m.
Reserve your tickets now! Riggs Theatre 37's winter production of Molière's The Learned Ladies, a comedy about the vicissitudes of love, runs December 17-21. Nightly shows from Wednesday, December 17 through Sunday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 (general public); $10 (students & seniors) Reservations: Call 413-298-5519 extension 5606

THURSDAY - DECEMBER 18, 2025

GAME NIGHT
Becket, 6 - 8 p.m.

Join friends and neighbors for a fun evening of board and card games! If you have a favorite, please bring it along to share/teach to fellow gamers! Games the Athenaeum owns include Monopoly, Code Names, The All American History Trivia Game, Sorry, Chess, Quiddler (word game), SET, and many more! Refreshments will be served! You're welcome to bring your beverage of choice (including alcohol). Ages 13+ are welcome. RSVP appreciated.

CLARK ART, IMAGES SCREEN 'THE THIRD MAN'
Williamstown, 6 pm

The Clark Art Institute, in collaboration with Images Cinema, concludes its Noir Film Series with a screening of "The Third Man" (1949)

THE WINTER SOLSTICE IN STORY AND SONG
Becket, 7 - 9 p.m.

Tales and songs of the Winter Solstice come to life in this dramatic storytelling with award-winning storyteller and theatre artist Diane Edgecomb accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Tom Megan.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with ancient tales of light, evergreen myths, and entertaining seasonal stories surrounded by traditional and original music and song. Award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb brings to life olden tales of the longest nights: the hauntingly beautiful Baldur and the Mistletoe from Scandinavia, humorous English Wassail traditions and the Tanzanian folktale of how the animal kingdom brought light and life during the darkest times. Becket Arts Center

YOGA WITH RIMA SALA
Becket, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Get ready to unwind, stretch, and strengthen your body in this all-levels yoga class. We'll move mindfully through a series of poses, connecting our breath to each movement. You'll build heat, increase flexibility, and improve your balance, all while finding a sense of calm and focus.

This class is perfect for both beginners and experienced yogis looking to deepen their practice. Modifications will be offered to ensure everyone feels comfortable and challenged. Leave feeling refreshed, centered, and ready to take on your week. Becket Arts Center

FRIDAY - DECEMBER 19, 2025

FREE SCREENING OF 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' (1946)
Great Barrington, 7 p.m.

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center hosts its traditional free screening of "It's a Wonderful Life." Frank Capra directs James Stewart and Donna Reed in this classic holiday favorite about community, love, and hope. (Rated PG, 2h 10min.)

More information here.

SATURDAY - DECEMBER 20, 2025

TRACKING WINTER WILDLIFE FOR BEGINNERS
Lenox, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Dive into the fascinating world of wildlife tracking with a beginner-friendly walk in search of tracks, scat, and signs of predator and prey interactions. ADULTS. Cost: $15 Members, $20 Non-members Where: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mt Rd. Lenox MA 01240 Link to register: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/98171-tracking-winter-wildlife-for-beginners For more info: 413-637-0320 berkshires@massaudubon.org

DELIGHTFUL & DELECTABLE HOLIDAY MARKET
Great Barrington, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Berkshire Arts Market holds its annual holiday market featuring handmade gifts and giftable treats. With over 31 makers, marketgoers can shop for a variety of gifts and support the local artist community at the same time.

The market is located on the second floor of 34 Bridge St., above the Berkshire Food Co-Op.

More information here or contact gbartsmarket@gmail.com.

STORYTIME WITH STAY & PLAY
Becket, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Becket Athenaeum hosts a storytime from 10:30 to 11:30 followed by an hour of stay and play with toys, games, puzzles, and snacks for the kids, along with coffee, tea, snacks, and time for connection for the caregivers. Stop by for either or both.

RSVP appreciated.

VENTFORT HALL TEA & TALK: CHRISTMAS TRADIATIONS IN THE VICTORIAN GILDED AGE
Lenox, 3:30 pm

Berkshire County resident and Ventfort Hall volunteer will speak at Ventfort Hall about Christmas traditions in the Victorian and Gilded Age. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206.

BERKSHIRE LYRIC PRESENTS: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
Windsor | Stockbridge, 4 p.m.

Berkshire Lyric presents The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, on Saturday December 20. The holiday choral program will take place at 4:00 at the Stockbridge Congregational Church on Main Street in Stockbridge. The concert of traditional and contemporary carols will also include a number of well known standards from the American holiday songbook. The 70 voice Berkshire Lyric will be joined by Lyric’s young women’s ensemble Melodious Accord and by Lyric’s Resident Vocal Artist John Demler. The Lyric Children’s Chorus will welcome a visit from Santa Claus at this old-fashioned holiday event geared for children of all ages. The concert is under the direction of artistic director and conductor Jack Brown and assisted by Joe Rose at the piano and pipe organ. There will be many opportunities to sing along. Tickets are $20 and will be sold at the door, with children and students 18 and under admitted for free. This Stockbridge concert is underwritten by the Red Lion Inn. Advance purchases can be made through the Berkshire Lyric website www.BerkshireLyric.org or member singers.

Our next dance will be our Holiday Double Dance and Potluck on Saturday, December 20th, with music by The Russet Trio - Aldo Lavaggi (fiddle and mandolin), Peter Madsen (guitar and percussion), Stuart Kenney (bass) with Bob Isaacs calling.

Admission $25, $15 for students to both dances. Regular admission price ($12-15 non-students, $10 for students) for just the evening dance and potluck. All welcome to the potluck.

Bring a dish to share and your own plates and silverware (a note with ingredients is helpful).

All the dances are taught. No partner necessary. Come alone or bring friends.

THE WIZARDS OF WINTER
Pittsfield, 7:30 p.m.

Returning for their third year at The Colonial Theatre (111 South St., Pittsfield, MA), The Wizards of Winter will light up the stage with The Christmas Dream—a theatrical musical journey that blends the excitement of rock with the heart of the holidays. To purchase tickets, visit berkshiretheatre.org.

JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO: TONY BENNETT – THE ART OF EXCELLENCE
Great Barrington, 8 p.m.

$44 – $89. Mahaiwe Member & Youth Discount Event

Grammy Award-winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli salutes the legendary Tony Bennett celebrating over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. From Bennett’s ’50s pop hits like “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches” through his timeless classics of the ’60s such as “I Wanna Be Around” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” to his remarkable collaborations with Bill Evans, Pizzarelli’s trio will bring these iconic songs to life once again. The evening will also highlight Bennett’s incredible revival in the ‘90s while Pizzarelli weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that reveal the man behind the music. Prepare for a night filled with unforgettable music as the John Pizzarelli Trio honors this generational talent.

https://mahaiwe.org/event/john-pizzarelli-trio-tony-bennett-the-art-of-excellence/

SUNDAY - DECEMBER 21, 2025

SEAN MCCUSKER LIVE PAINTING DEMO
Becket, 1 - 2 p.m.

SONGS OF THE SEASON AT VENTFORT HALL
Lenox, 3:30 pm

Vocalist Sherri James Buxton and accompanist Bob Shepherd return to Ventfort Hall to present a Holiday Cabaret featuring seasonal favorites and more. For reservations, visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206.