Weekend Outlook: Immersive Installations, First Friday, and More
There are several events this weekend, including immersive installations, live music, and more. See a list of upcoming bazaars, craft fairs and markets here.
Editor's Pick
Radiant Nights Festival
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
December 7 - 31
The village's multisensory holiday experience is back. Artist Joe Wheaton's video projections and audio experiences illuminate the museum's historic buildings.
After taking in the approximate one-mile route of light installations, sound, exhibits, and images, guests are invited to visit the farm animals, relax by the fire pit, and enjoy a drink and specialty fare from a pop-up bar and the café operated by Woodlife Farm Market.
Admission is free for members and children under 12. More information here.
Friday
First Friday: LUMINAMA
Downtown North Adams
Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.
First Friday celebrates the third annual LUMINAMA. Dress in your most illuminated outfits and visit businesses and galleries, and look at the decorated storefronts (including iBerkshires!)
Businesses will have extended hours, and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events, including making paper bag lanterns, a pop-up maker's market, an after party, and more.
Information here.
Lunch with Santa
146 North St., Pittsfield
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Santa will be visiting Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery. Food will be available for purchase. Information here.
Season(ing) Stories
Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m.
Local nonprofit WordXWord is holding a story-sharing event centered around the theme "Season(ing)."
This free event will feature a range of true, first-person stories that are told, not read. Information here.
Wreath Art Auction
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8
The city's Office of Cultural Development hosts dozens of local artists in the 10th annual Wreath Art Auction. These artists have donated their talent, time and hearts to creating holiday wreaths, centerpieces and much more. There will also be a raffle.
Grab and go wreaths are available starting at 5 and the top items will be auctioned at 6:30 following the tree lighting at Park Square.
All of the proceeds benefit the South Community Food Pantry, which serves 1,200 families a week in Pittsfield. Suggested donation of $10 at the door.
Wanda Houston Project
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 6 p.m.
Wanda Houston started singing in gospel choirs at an early age in Chicago and settled in the Berkshires in 2006 after performing around the world. She and her band,The Wanda Houston Project, brings her mix of 20th century jazz and R&B to the Clark to help kick of the Holiday Walk Weekend.
Tickets are $10 ($8 members, $7 students, $5 children 15 and under). Accessible seats available; for information, call 413-458-0524.
Saturday
Dalton Light Up the Holidays
Main Street, Dalton
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Santa will be making stops around town to visit various events at businesses, organizations, and churches on Main Street. The evening will conclude at 8 p.m. with a tree lighting at the Community Recreation Association.
Pittsfield European Holiday Market
Dunham Mall, Pittsfield
Time: noon to 3
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. hosts an outdoor market at Dunham Mall, 100 North St. Shop baked goods, handmade earrings and winter hats, hand-crafted goat milk soap, small batch candles, fine custom wood cutting boards, and pre-Columbian art and jewelry.
Winter Wonderland
Lenox Library
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
The library will have crafts, cookie decorating, and a wintery photo op. More information here.
Williamstown Holiday Walk
Downtown Williamstown and venues
Time: all day
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.
Holiday Nature Crafts and Tree Trimming Party
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
There will be a free holiday pine cone ornament crafting event. The center will provide natural materials and art supplies, but participants can also bring some materials.
More information here. Register by calling 413-499-4262.
Holly Jolly Holiday Festivities
Holiday Brook Farm, Dalton
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a visit with Santa, wagon rides around the farm, and a free kids craft station.
Pick out a Christmas tree, check out the farm store full of local and handmade products, stop by the cafe for brunch made to order, visit the build-your-own hot chocolate bar, and take a family photo at the seasonal photobooth display.
More information here.
Sunday
Toys for Tots Musical Bingo
Knox Trail Inn, East Otis
Time: 2 p.m.
Play bingo while helping the Tous for Tots program raise money, which will help families in need get a present under their tree on Christmas morning.
A $20 donation will get you four cards to play Bingo and possibly win a gift card to the Knox. More information here.
BAAMS Performance
115 State Street, Building 6, North Adams
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies will have a free performance by its students. More information here.
Evergreen Workshop
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be a holiday-themed workshop, during which participants can create their own festive decorations and enjoy the Radiant Nights festival after class. More information here.
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Main Street
Time: noon to 2
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas re-enacts the spirit of Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene from noon to 2. From Friday to Sunday, Dec. 6-8, there's a range of holiday activities including live performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, shops, restaurants and Santa. More information and tickets here.
Multiple Days
Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
Nov. 22 to Jan. 4: Weekends and Select Weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
The grounds of Edith Wharton's home is decked out with lights and music to provide an immersive experience to its visitors. This year, discover a new trail that takes you deeper into the woods, plus several new encounters that explore the lifecycle of trees.
Tickets are free for community partners and EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare Card holders as part of the museum's NightWood Card to Culture program.
Adults ages 19-plus are $27, youth between 13 and 18 are $12, and children 12 and under are free. More information can be found here.
Tags: weekend outlook,
