The holiday season is just around the corner, or upon us for some, celebrate it with one or more of the many events happening this weekend in Berkshire County, including discount shopping, menorah lightings, play readings, and more. 

 

Mingle and Jingle in Downtown Pittsfield 

Downtown Pittsfield 

 

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. will be hosting another discount shopping opportunity this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. 

 

Prepare for the holidays by shopping at the local businesses and get 10 percent off at participating retailers and restaurants when you pick up a jingle bell bracelet at the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. booth. 

 

The booth will be located on the lower level of the Beacon Cinema. The bracelet is valid until the participating business closes. 

 

More information here. 

 

Annual Menorah Lighting 

City Hall, North Adams 

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey is inviting community members to mark the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday at 5 p.m.. The event will take place in the City Hall lobby.

 

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel will be speaking at the ceremony. The lights of the menorah represent the miracle of restoring light to the Temple in Jerusalem as it was rededicated during the second century BCE. 

 

More information here. 

 

Colonial Family Concert 

The Colonial Theatre 

 

Berkshire Theatre Group holds a family concert this Sunday at 2 p.m. 

 

The event will be hosted by BTG Youth Chorus and will feature performances by Berkshire County artists including Gina Coleman, Kathy Jo Grover, Dave Brown, and more. 

 

More information here. 

 

 

After-School Nutcracker Performance 

Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

 

The Albany Ballet Junior Company and the Cantarella School of Dance will be performing excerpts from "The Nutcracker" this Friday at 3:30 p.m. 

 

Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information call the Children's Library at 413-499-9480, Ext. 5.

 

More information here. 

 

 

Winter Craft Making 

Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

 

The Berkshire Athenaeum will also be hosting an afternoon of winter themed crafting this Saturday at 1 p.m. 

 

Attendees can make holiday gifts, cards for a local nursing home, and more. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information call the Children's Library at 413-499-9480, Ext. 5.

 

More information here. 

 

 

Kids Ornament Making 

151 Eagle St., North Adams

 

Artsy Avenue will be having a kids' ornament making night this Saturday at 6 p.m. 

 

The class costs $20 and participants will be able to take home four ornaments. More information here. 

 

 

Christmas Party Fundraiser 

North Adams American Legion

 

North Adams American Legion Post 125 is hosting a Christmas party fundraiser this Friday at 6 p.m. 

 

All proceeds will go toward the local American Legion family scholarships. More information here. 

 

 

Pittsfield High School Winter Concert

PHS, Pittsfield

 

The PHS jazz combos, big band, choir, orchestra and concert band will be performing their first concerts of the year this Thursday at 7 p.m. 

 

There will also be two raffle baskets and a bake sale to help support the school's music programs.

 

More information here. 

 

 

Ugly Sweater Dance Party 

Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 

 

Wear your ugliest sweater and dance to the mixes by DJ Craig at 9 p.m. this Saturday at the Methuselah Bar and Lounge.

 

More information here.

 

 

Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley

Shakespeare & Company, 

 

Shakespeare & Company is holding a costumed staged reading of "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

 

The Jane Austen-inspired play was written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, and directed by Ariel Bock.

 

The play depicts what Christmas at Pemberley would be like after Elizabeth Bennet marries Mr. Darcy and follows  her younger sister, Mary Bennet, who has grown tired of her role as a middle child, in contrast to her siblings' romantic escapades. 

 

The company says "an unexpected guest sparks her hopes for an intellectual match, independence, and possibly even love.

 

General admission is $28 or $18 for students. More information here. 

 

 

Weekly Friday Night Jazz 

Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield

 

The Methuselah hosts Berkshires Jazz on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.

 

The event is part of its weekly series that runs until the end of 2022. More information here. 

 

 

Berkshire Grown North Adams Farmers Market

North Adams and Great Barrington

 

The North Adams market will be open this Sunday, Dec. 18, at Greylock Works, located at 508 State Road, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

 

The Great Barrington market will be Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Housy Dome in Housatonic from 10 to 2. 

 

Both market accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program benefits. They also provide a 100 percent match to the SNAP balance for up to $25.

 

More information on the North Adams market here and the Great Barrington market here.

 

 

A Scenic Christmas Train Ride

Hoosac Valley Train Ride, Adams 

 

Santa will be riding the Tinseliner train this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to spread Christmas cheer. 

 

Boarding will be on Friday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; Saturday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; and Sundays at 11:30 and 2.

 

Arrive 30 minutes before departure and check-in with the ticket agent 10 to 20 minutes prior to departure.

 

More information here.