Friday:Wine and Wreath Party at Dottie's

Start the holiday by creating a unique burlap wreath.  The workshop materials include a 16" wire frame, burlap, fresh greens, pine cones, assorted decorations and wine.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a hot glue gun, scissors and/or hand pruners.  Call for reservations. 

Friday, December 12 | 4:30pm-6:30pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | $50 

Friday-Sunday: Holiday Shindy at Shire City Sanctuary

50+ hand-selected vendors from near and far gather together at Shire City Sanctuary for one of the Berkshires BEST Holiday Makers Sale. Get all of your gift shopping done in one feld swoop. Holiday greenery, jewelry, ceramics, winter woolies, party dresses, luscious soaps, twinkling candles, tasty treats and so much more! All served up in the magical setting of splendor. Click here for more information on the Preview First Look Party on Friday. 

Friday-Sunday, December 12-14 | Fri Preview Party 5pm-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-3pm | Shire City Sanctuary | 40 Melville Street | 413-236-9600 | Preview Party $30 Sat-Sun NO COVER 

Friday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Prancer.” This fun event is also a great gift idea. Call now to reserve your canvas.

Friday, December 12 | 6pm-9pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 |

Friday-Monday: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night at The Little Cinema

In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire. Dark, brooding and comedic with a thumping musical soul, Ana Lily Amirpour's debut feature A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is, as strange as it sounds, the first Iranian Vampire Western and a joyful mash-up of genres and influences, but it also is a commentary on Iranian society, its treatment of women and economic imbalance, a complex mysterious film.

Friday-Monday, December 12-15 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 3pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $5 Museum Members $7.50 Museum Non Members

Saturday+: Upstreet Holiday Festival!

The first ever Upstreet Holiday Festival features: a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus; free train rides from Roaming Railroad; live music; crafts and face painting ; a cookie decorating station by Madeleine's Patisserie and Café; the Berkshire Eagle Holiday Photo Booth (December 20 only); the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Eagle Santa Fund (December 20 only).

There will also be a chance to win a Downtown Pittsfield Gift Basket worth more than $1000 by entering a completed Downtown Holiday Passport. 

Saturdays, December 13 & 20 | 10am-2pm |Palace Park | 138 North Street | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Saturday: Open Studio Holiday Sale at NU arts

Artistic holiday shopping for all. All kinds of wonderful things await in all price ranges, incredible sales offered by some of the artists too.  Paintings, cards, prints, ornaments, and much more.  Come shop and support your local artists in the process! NuArts is located at 311 North Street, Pittsfield. The entrance on Union Street, just around the corner.

Saturday, December 13 |10am-2pm | NU arts | 311 North Street | NO COVER

Saturday: Animals Up Close at Berkshire Museum

Rick Roth of the Creature Teachers brings remarkable animals from around the world to the Museum!

Saturday, December 13 | 11am-12pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday: Cookie Decorating at Berkshire Museum

Families can enjoy artful cookie decorating in the Crane Room; cookies and supplies are provided, but are limited. First-come, first-served availability.

Saturday, December 13 | 12pm-1pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Snow Friends.” This fun afternoon painting class is a family-friendly event. Call now to reserve your canvas.

Saturday, December 13 | 1pm-4pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | 

Saturday: Berkshire Music School's Holiday Program at Berkshire Athenaeum

The Berkshire Music School presents a free holiday concert for the whole family. Come enjoy holiday music with Berkshire Music School students and ensembles. Free and no registration required. Attendance at library programs constitutes consent to be photographed; photos may be used in print or electronic publicity for the Berkshire Athenaeum.

Saturday, December 13 | 1pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Saturday: Blafield Children's Chorus at Berkshire Museum

Enjoy the voices of the Blafield Children's Chorus and Berkshire Singers as they perform holiday favorites.

Saturday, December 13 | 1:30pm-2:30pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday: Student Recital at Berkshire Music School

Student Recital from the studio of Charles Marshall, piano.  Berkshire Music School Taft Recital Hall, free. Call 413-442-1411 for more information.

Saturday, December 13 | 1:30pm | Berkshire Music School | 30 Wendell Ave | 413-442-1411 | FREE

Saturday: Mayor's Holiday Celebration: Winter Wonderland of Music & Song at Berkshire Museum

Mayor Dan Bianchi and his wife, Theresa invite you to celebrate the holiday season with an afternoon of holiday music and song. The concert will feature Kids4Harmony, the Pittsfield High School Jazz Ensemble, and the acoustic group, Randy & Friends.

Saturday, December 13 | 2pm-5pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday:  The Eagles Band Holiday Concert At First United Methodist Church

The Eagles Band will perform a free holiday concert at the First United Methodist Church. This event is free and for all ages. Patrons can also enjoy the band's traditional homemade intermission bake sale, holiday raffle, and sing along.

Saturday, December 13 | 3pm | First United Methodist Church | 55 Fenn Street | 413-499-0258 | FREE

Saturday: Cherry Street Lights the Night

The 4th Annual Cherry Street Lights the Night brings a neighborhood together to celebrate the Christmas season.  The Dream Center hands out lights to all of the houses on Cherry Street so they can participate. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

Saturday, December 13 | 5:30pm | Cherry Street | 413-522-3495 | FREE

Saturday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Red Poinsettia.” Call now to reserve your canvas.

Saturday, December 13 | 6pm-9pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | FREE

Saturday: Berkshire Ballroom Holiday Celebration Social Dance

The Berkshire Ballroom Chapter 3045 of USA Dance Inc. invites its Members, prospective members and anyone interested in experiencing or participating in any level of ballroom style dancing to attend. Relax and enjoy yourself in a non-pressure and festive Holiday decorated atmosphere. Even if you are not a dancer but would like to try a few turns around the floor, one of our Berkshire Ballroom member dancers will introduce you to this very addictive activity --- no pressures, just fun.

Saturday, December 13 | 7pm-10:30pm | Masonic Hall | 116 South Street | 413-441-7806 | $9 for members, $13 guests, $5 students

Saturday and Sunday: Town Players of Pittsfield Present Christmastime in the City

A holiday variety show directed by Monica Bliss with accompanist Jeff Hunt, Christmastime in the City will celebrate the many varieties of entertainment you would expect to find in the "City": music, theater, dance, stand-up comedy and slam poetry, all with a holiday twist! With cabaret seating, holiday snacks and beverages will be available at concessions and can be enjoyed during the show.

Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14 | Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| 413-443-9279  | $15-$10

Saturday: BlackWater at Flavours

Pittsfield's one-and-only Blackwater is a high-energy band playing classic rock, pop, country rock and Southern rock. Come out and dance! Must be 21 with ID.

Saturday, December 13 | 10pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5

Sunday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Balancing Act.” Call now to reserve your canvas for this fun event.

Sunday, December 14 | 1pm-4pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300

Sunday+: A Christmas Carol at the Colonial

Celebrate the timeless holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol with the whole family and revel in the joy and redemptive power of Christmas as told in the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who is shown the error of his ways and reformed by four spirits. Journey back to Victorian England and experience the classic story filled with holiday carols and the wonderment of the season at the beautiful Colonial Theatre.

Sunday-Monday, December 14-22 | Sun 2pm Thurs-Fri 7pm Sat-Sun 2pm & 7pm Mon 7pm | The Colonial Theatre| 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $37 adults, $27 children

Sunday: 8th Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party at Dottie's

It comes but once a year-- and every year it's more and more fun! Join for our very special gingerbread house decorating party on the first Sunday of December.  Bring just yourselves- there is plenty of homemade gingerbread houses ready for decorating. Space is limited, so only two people per house. An additional person can be added for $10. Call today to make your reservation. There are only a few houses left! 

Sunday, December 14 | 3:30pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 |$29

Sunday: World Wide Candle Lighting at Park Square

The largest candle-lighting ceremony will take place at Park Square with local representatives of the Compassionate Friends network. As candles are lit at 7pm with hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and honor the memory of all those gone too soon. The event will be held rain or shine.

Sunday, December 14 | 6:45pm | Park Square | 413-443-7915| FREE

Monday: Teen Book Giveaway at Berkshire Athenaeum

Teen Book Giveaway: All Teens encouraged to stop by the Young Adults' Department and select a free book or magazine while supplies last. Limit of one free item per teen.

December 15-20 | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Monday: First Street Ribbon Cutting

Mayor Bianchi is pleased to invite you to the First Street Common Ribbon Cutting. Secretary Bartlett, who oversees the Commonwealth's six environmental, natural resource and energy regulatory agencies, will speak to the Commonwealth's strong support of the project. The fully handicapped accessible First Street includes a new playground, splash park, performance pavilion, gazebo, restroom facilities, and pathways and lighting throughout. The park will be a downtown magnet with attractions for both children and adults.

December 15 | Noon | First Street Common | FREE

Monday: Voice and Piano Recital at Berkshire Music School

At 5:30 pm there will be a student recital from the studios of Sherri James Buxton, voice, and Jean Stackhouse, piano. The student recital from the studio of Amy Renak, piano will begin at 6:45.

Monday, December 15 | 5:30pm-7pm | Berkshire Music School | 30 Wendell Ave | 413-442-1411 | FREE

Monday: The Quarterly Membership Meeting of the Town Players of Pittsfield

Both members and non-members are welcome  to join the Town Players of Pittsfield as they continue to celebrate their 94th season. Information about upcoming readings, a March production and a  spring musical review will be presented. After a short business meeting, entertainment and refreshments will be provided. 

Monday, December 15 | 7pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| 413-443-9279 | FREE

Tuesday: Email [Computer Lab Class] at Berkshire Athenaeum

We will set up a web-based email account on a free service. Taught by Madeline. An optional guided half hour of practice will be available at the end of the session. Our Computer Lab sessions are taught presuming attendees' ability to type on a computer keyboard; use either a laptop touchpad or a mouse; and enter an address in the address bar of a browser. Those who do not have these skills are welcome to sign up for our sessions; however they may find they are unable to fully participate.

Tuesday, December 16 | 9:30am-11am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Tuesday: Youth String Ensemble at Berkshire Music School

The final performance of Youth String Ensemble. Berkshire Music School Taft Recital Hall, 30 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Free. Call 413-442-1411 for more information.

Tuesday, December 16 | 6:30pm | Berkshire Music School | 30 Wendell Ave | 413-442-1411 | FREE

Tuesday and Wednesday: Auditions for Town Players of Pittsfield

Town Players of Pittsfield announces auditions for four, short one-act plays that will be given staged readings in January 25. The plays are as follows: "The Voucher"; "Ladies at Play"; "Sunny Morning" and "The White Uniform." All the plays, which will be performed in English translation, were written in Spanish, two from Spain, one from Chile and one from Cuba.  No previous acting experience is required.

Tuesday & Wednesday, December 16 & 17 | 7pm - 9pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| FREE

Thursday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Watching Stag.” Call now to reserve your canvas. No prior painting experience is necessary for this fun event (that makes a great Holiday gift).

Thursday, December 18 | 6pm-9pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 No