EXPERIENCE YOUR SMALL TOWN HOLIDAY MAGIC IN #STOCKBRIDGEMA

The charming New England village of Stockbridge, Massachusetts becomes truly magical, decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights for the season. There is no shortage of holiday activities for the entire family to enjoy. Annual holiday celebrations, Winterlights, Historic Homes dressed in Christmas finery, Holiday Music, Theatre and Performances, are all on the agenda. Stockbridge is brimming with historic character and a Main Street that offers seasonal menu options and local gifts for your holiday shopping.

Come home for Christmas during one of the most iconic weekend celebrations Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas December 6-8. The popular self-guided Historic Property Tour returns on Dec 7, featuring the Inn at Stockbridge, The Merwin House with special treats, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum with holiday music, High Lawn Farm Museum and Chesterwood. The annual musical highpoint is the Holiday Concert also on the Dec 7 featuring the Berkshire Bach Players in a program of Baroque favorites performed by a superb quartet of violin, viola, cello, and harpsichord ending with a group singalong. The popular Sunday Main Street Recreation (Dec 8) offers family fun for every age complete with music, antique cars, Santa and more.

Visit the magical Winterlights at Naumkeag (Nov 29-Jan 4) an outdoor experience with thousands of shimmering and artfully designed holiday lights. Enjoy Joyful Family Holidays at the historic Red Lion Inn, a Main Street landmark for hospitality for over 250 years. All are invited to take a stroll through the Winter Wonderland Walkway (Dec 1-Jan 1) of 16 decorated trees at the Stockbridge Library, sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce free of charge.

The Berkshire Botanical Garden's Holiday Marketplace returns featuring the Gallery of Wreaths (Dec 6-8). Deck the halls with a collection of unique, one of a kind designer wreaths as well as an assortment of holiday-blooming amaryllis and paperwhites in decorative and clay containers, succulent arrangements, garlands, hanging terrariums and gift items presented by regional artisan vendors.

Another holiday tradition returning this year is the The Women’s Service League of the First Congregational Church Holly Fair on Dec. 7. The Fair features hand-made crafts, gifts and decorations, holiday greens, baked goods, Tea Room, Grandma’s Attic, Santa Claus, silent auction cross-stitch, and more.

See Rockwell's original painting of Main Street Stockbridge at Christmas “Home for Christmas”, plus special exhibitions Norman Rockwell: Home for the Holidays; Anita Kunz: Original Sisters, Portraits of Tenacity and Courage; The Light That Shines: Norman Rockwell and the Edison Mazda Paintings; the annual display of the miniature Village of Stockbridge and train set; plus weekend tours of Norman Rockwell’s art and holiday collection to complete your Rockwellian experience in Stockbridge at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Take in music, theater and live performances. No holiday would be complete without Berkshire Theatre Groups annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol returning this year to the historic Unicorn Theatre (Dec 5-22). At the Colonial Stage take in Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws (Dec. 15 at 2PM),

The Wizards of Winter (Dec 21) and New Year’s Eve with Max Creek (Dec 31). On Dec 13-15, Shakespeare and Company presents a lively costumed reading of Georgiana & Kitty, the final installment of the Christmas at Pemberley trilogy. Tanglewood Learning Institue will present a new holiday program that is sure to become an annual tradition at the Linde Center. Two performances of the same program are planned for Dec 14 & 15 and will feature members of the BSO’s brass section. On Dec 28, at the Clark Institute, The Magic Flute, the Met's family friendly production of Mozart's dazzling fairy tale returns and on view Nov 23-Feb 17, 2025, Cuban-American photographer Abelardo Morel in Abelardo Morell: In the Company of Monet and Constable. Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents the hit touring radio show Selected Shorts Holiday Tales on Dec 14, Cows and Holly Children’s author/songwriter Sandra Boynton will celebrate the release of her new Christmas album and songbook on Dec 19, and in a holiday tradition Mahaiwe's perennial performer John Pizzarelli will return on Dec 21 with his big band. Holiday films include How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) on Dec 13, short film Olaf’s Frozen Adventure on loop for free on Dec 14, and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) for free on Dec 20. End 2024 with The Berkshire Bach Society's "BACH AT NEW YEAR’S" – A Baroque Concerto Showcase on Dec 31.

Take a tour of The Mount and Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum all dressed up for the holidays. Explore NightWood, an innovative sound and light experience that immerses visitors in a fantastical winter landscape at The Mount (Nov 12 - Jan 4). Take in Naughty or Nice: Songs of the Season Holiday Cabaret (Dec 15) or a Marionette Show, Little Red Riding Hood (Dec 27 & 28) at Ventfort. “Christmas at Chesterwood” returns this year (Dec 8-22, Fri to Sun). Hear stories of the French Family’s Christmas traditions while visiting the historic Studio and ground floor of the Residence, decorated in style for the holidays. This family friendly event will also include complimentary hot cider and doughnuts.

Hop Aboard the Berkshire Scenic Railway Tineliner train with Santa running Saturdays, Nov 29-Dec 15.

The Stockbridge area has a lineup of wonderful holiday fun. Check our website to see dates and details of “What’s Happening Here” during the holiday season.

It's such a special time of year to enjoy a meal with family and friends. Be sure to book your holiday gatherings in advance. Our New England Inns, B&Bs and Hotels are offering winter getaways complete with fires to cuddle up by after a day of fresh mountain air. Plan your stay with us!