Holiday Events and Tree Lightings 2024

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Pittsfield Takes 'Big Step' With Supportive Housing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:49PM / Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Housing Secretary Ed Augustus says supportive services are critical to moving people into permanent housing. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Those experiencing homelessness often need more than four walls and a roof.  

On Tuesday, Hearthway Inc. hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for 37 new units of supportive housing, 28 on vacant land on West Housatonic Street and nine at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street.

"Today is a good day. It's a day we celebrate our community's commitment and responsibility to our neighbors, especially those who are unhoused, living in shelter, or outside," President and CEO Eileen Peltier said.

"Today, Pittsfield is taking a big step toward our responsibility to make our community stronger for all of us."

The approximately $16 million project offers tenants a variety of services from partner organizations such as The Brien Center and ServiceNet. It also includes a 6,500-square-foot housing resource center in the church's basement, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, with bathrooms, showers, laundry, offices for service providers to meet with clients, and more.

"We know that providing four walls and a roof is often not enough to ensure individuals are safely and continuously housed," Peltier said.

"Permanent supportive housing like these homes is the best way to ensure individuals thrive."

Hearthway, formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp., is developing the units on donated land on West Housatonic and at Zion Lutheran Church through a lease agreement. The church will remain open during construction. 

The Rev. Joel Bergeland explained that the Zion community is bound by a commitment to treat each neighbor with reverence and see them as "gifts sent from God." While others may not share that faith, he pointed out that they are bound by a charge to seek the welfare of the community.