Holiday Events and Tree Lightings 2018

'Tis the season to be merry and bright. Planning a holiday event? Let us know at iBerkshires.com. (Visit our Holiday Bazaars and Craft Fairs list for holiday craft fairs.( And see below for a guide to Christmas tree lightings in towns across the Berkshires.

The city of Pittsfield is offering free downtown parking for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas on Fridays Dec. 7, 14, 21, and 28. There will also be a week of free parking starting Dec. 17 through Dec. 21. Parking is always free in the evenings and weekends.

Holiday Events

Wednesday, December 19

Pittsfield: The sixth annual Beer & Carols will be held in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., at 7 p.m. Beer & Carols is a community singalong, an opportunity to sing all the favorite Christmas carols and songs in the company of old and new friends. There is no admission fee; a free-will offering will be taken to support the Common Care Fund at Zion Lutheran Church, which offers assistance in a variety of ways to our neighbors in need.

Friday, December 21

Pittsfield: The Pittsfield Hoop Club Hall of Fame continues their long-standing tradition of supporting local student-athletes and celebrating the city’s rich sports tradition with the 2018 Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic. The event, to take place at the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club, will showcase the boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams from both PHS and Taconic and taking on early-season rivals. Games are scheduled at 4 p.m. (PHS vs. Taconic JV Game); 5:30 p.m. )Pittsfield High vs. Longmeadow); 7 p.m. (Hall Of Fame Induction) and  7:30 p.m. (Taconic vs. Lenox). Tickets for the Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic will be available at the door; admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.

Sheffield: Two woodland bands, Heather Fisch/Bleeding Femmes and Dust Bowl Faeries, are hosting an evening of live music, dancing, ritual and magical solstice happenings at Race Brook Lodge on Undermountain Road in a Winter Solstice Faerie Ball starting at 8 p.m. Winter nymphs, elves, sprites, pixies, witches, wizards, genies, centaurs, unicorns, fairy folk, otherworldly creatures - all are welcome, costumed or revealed.  Dinner will be served before the show at the adjoining Stagecoach Tavern, and guest rooms are available at the Race Brook Lodge for those who would like to make it an overnight outing. Tickets are $15 in advance and available online and $20 at door.

Saturday, December 22

Pittsfied: Discover "Festival of Trees 2018: Often Heard" after hours, when the twinkling lights are ablaze on every tree but the galleries of the Berkshire Museum are dark, from 5 to 7 p.m. The indoor forest of imaginatively decorated trees festooned with musical motifs offer a dreamy atmosphere during evening hours, and guessing the song title that matches each tree’s décor becomes more of a challenge at night. Tickets are $5.

Pittsfield: Ron Ramsay and Samantha Talora, joined by well-known musical collaborators Eileen Markland on violin and Michael Gillespie on woodwinds, celebrate the season in "Christmas is Here," an evening of favorite holiday songs, blended with some not-so-familiar gems that are sure to enliven the holiday spirit. With musical selections ranging from celebratory to sentimental, the duo will present music from countless artists, ranging from Elvis Presley to Bing Crosby and composers including Frank Loesser & David Foster at the concert, to be held at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, Post 68, at 41 Wendell Ave. Tickets are $20, which includes post-show sweets.  A special ticket price of $10 is offered for veterans and active military members. Reservations can be made by calling 413-212-4459.

Pittsfield: Town Players of Pittsfield present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson in the BCC Boland Theatre at 2 p.m. General admission is $15; seniors, students (13 years and above) and groups of 10 or more are $12, and TPOP members and 12 and under are $10.

Sunday, December 23

Pittsfield: Town Players of Pittsfield present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson in the BCC Boland Theatre at 2 p.m. General admission is $15; seniors, students (13 years and above) and groups of 10 or more are $12, and TPOP members and 12 and under are $10.

Monday, December 24

Pittsfield: Zion Lutheran Church will host a Common Room Christmas in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., at 4 p.m. Situated somewhere between a worship service and a concert, a Common Room Christmas will feature a retelling of the Christmas story with a pop-up pageant, live music by our Jazz Vespers ensemble, and the singing of Silent Night by candlelight and glow sticks. All ages are welcome. There is no admission fee, and no expectation to give an offering.

Christmas Tree Lightings

* Adams: Sunday, Nov. 25, 2-5 p.m., at the Adams Town Common. The tree-lighting ceremony will include free carriage rides and music, hot cocoa and coffee, and a visit from Santa.

* Lanesborough: Thursday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. at Memorial Park, next to the police station. Refreshments and entertainment by the Lanesborough Elementary School chorus.

* Lenox: Friday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m., Lilac Park, featuring a performance by the LCC chorus group and cookies, hot chocolate and visits with Santa at the Lenox Community Center.

* Lenox Dale: Sunday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Santa will arrive by fire engine at Veterans Memorial Park at the intersection of Walker and Crystal streets to light the tree. Following the lighting, Santa will greet the children at the fire station on Elm Street, where gifts and refreshments will be distributed. Santa will also pose for photos with the children.

* North Adams: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m. at Monument Square. Caroling with the Drury Band, hot chocolate and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the Fire Department's antique Mack Fire Engine with treats. Kicks off the annual Hometown Holiday. This year the Downtown Bike Around will join the procession down Main Street with bikes decorated in lights; meet at Peebles at 5:15 p.m. (Raindate Nov. 30.)

* Pittsfield: Friday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. The Park Square tree lighting ceremony will feature carols performed by the Taconic High School Chorus and hot chocolate provided by Patrick’s Pub. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive after the tree is lit.

* South Williamstown: Sunday, Dec. 9, 5-7 p.m. The South Williamstown Community Association will host its tree lighting at The Store at Five Corners. There will be carol singing and refreshments; bring a flashlight to see the words on the song sheets. Santa is planning to come.

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