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Winterlights Makes Top 10 Holiday Light Show List

Visitors can add their wishes to the wishing tree at Naumkeag.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Naumkeag made national rankings when its annual Winterlights landed No. 6 on a list for top holiday light shows across America.

The Trustees of Reservations announced Friday that popular, immersive, holiday light display has been named a top 10 Public Holiday Light Displays in the country by USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Because of the overall success and demand for tickets, The Trustees will be extending Winterlights until mid-January with 3,000 additional tickets per location now on sale.

"That Winterlights is now recognized on a national level in addition to being so beloved locally is incredibly heartening for us as an organization," Trustees Chief of Places & Engagement Christine Morin wrote in a press release. "With high demand and limited capacity, we are thrilled to offer two additional weeks so more folks can safely experience the wonder of Winterlights."

Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts including a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors, and voters from across the county who ultimately choose the winners.

The Gilded Age mansion and estate at Naumkeag features designed light displays such as Rainbow Road, Laser Light Forest, and Blue Steps. More than 150,000 energy-efficient LED showcases the 48-acre grounds of Naumkeag. Both locations also offer sweet and savory holiday-themed treats such as hot cocoa, hot cider, and cider doughnuts.

The win also takes into account the extra safety procedures such as timed ticketing, limited capacity, one-way pathways, mandatory masks, and social distancing guidelines The Trustees implemented because of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Tickets range from $5 to $25 per person depending on age and membership and can be purchased by visiting thetrustees.org/winterlights. Become a member at thetrustees.org/membership. Any questions about the event can be emailed to winterlights@thetrustees.org.

All events are subject to cancelation depending on state recommendations as well as changes in the number or severity of COVID cases in these communities.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds. 

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant.