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Event Highlights for the Week Ahead in & Around #StockbridgeMA
July 3 - 9, 2026
If you missed event highlights (June 26 - July 2) click link.
Long summer days bring a full week of music, theater, art, gardens, and history across Stockbridge and the Berkshires. Independence Day programming, America250 reflections, world-class performances, and lively community events fill the holiday week with ways to explore and connect across the region.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
July 4 | 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Celebrate Independence Day with one of the week’s most meaningful gatherings, presented in partnership with the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Center. We Hold These Truths features a community reading of the Declaration of Independence led by Berkshire residents and civic voices, accompanied by live music from Wanda Houston, Rob Putnam, and Doug Mishkin. Families can take part in hands-on art activities, and visitors are invited to experience the museum’s powerful exhibition American Stories: Revolution to Rockwell, offering a reflection on the nation’s past through illustration and storytelling.
Stockbridge 250 Celebrating Children’s Chime Tower Family Day
July 4 | 11 a.m. (Front of Old Town Hall)
A festive family gathering celebrating Stockbridge’s 250th anniversary with hands-on fun for all ages. Children are invited to participate in the Chime Tower Family Day program, with sign-up beginning at 10:45 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The celebration also features a Family “Name That Tune” Contest with prizes generously provided by local favorites, including Nejaime's Wine Cellars, Williams & Sons Country Store, and Stockbridge Coffee & Tea.
Monterey Library Lawn — Community Reading of the Declaration
July 4 | 12 - 1 p.m.
The Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library, and Bidwell House Museum host a community reading of the Declaration of Independence on the library lawn. This participatory event invites residents and visitors of all ages to take part in reading, listening, and reflection, followed by refreshments and informal community gathering.
MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
Tanglewood anchors the week with a wide range of performances across its iconic venues, from chamber music to orchestral works and popular artist summer concerts:
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July 3 | 10:30 a.m. – TLI: Arts and the Rule of Law (Volpe Studio)
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July 3 & 4 | 8 p.m. – James Taylor and His All-Star Band (Shed)
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July 5 | 10 a.m. – TMC Chamber Music (Seiji Ozawa Hall)
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July 5 | 10:30 a.m. – TLI for Families: Music Moves (Linde Center)
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July 5 | 2:30 p.m. – Boston Symphony Orchestra performs Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 and Lincoln Portrait, featuring Alec Baldwin as narrator
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July 9 | 8 p.m. – Tanglewood Recital Series: Augustin Hadelich & Seong-Jin Cho (Ozawa Hall)
Jacob’s Pillow — Festival Week 2 (July 1–5) (Becket)
Dance takes center stage at Jacob’s Pillow with a dynamic mix of global and contemporary performance. Urban Bush Women returns with SCAT!...The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, a work blending jazz, storytelling, and movement. Eisenhower Dance Detroit celebrates its 35th season, while Compañía Nélida Tirado Flamenco brings powerful rhythm and live music outdoors. The week also includes Ilya Vidrin’s Proxies, workshops, and PillowTalks.
Shakespeare & Company (Lenox)
Fireflies continues running through July 19, a touching story of unexpected romance and second chances. Twelefth Night – by William Shakespeare opens July 4 and runs through July 26 | Directed by Kate Kohler Amory. Shipwrecks, mistaken identities, and romantic chaos unfold in this lively comedy filled with music, disguise, and joyful confusion. Set in a breathtaking outdoor amphitheatre, this production invites audiences to experience Shakespeare under the open sky in one of the nation’s top outdoor theater venues.
The Lion's Den offers live music throughout the week with performances. Eleanor Levine (July 2) Open Mic Night (July 3), Brother Sal Blues Revue (July 4), Rounders Revival (July 9), Online July calendar coming soon.
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July 7–16 – 1776 at the Colonial Theatre (Pittsfield)
A large-scale community production reimagines the founding of the nation through a local lens, bringing together more than 50 regional artists in a spirited retelling of a defining moment in American history.
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Through July 11 – The American Five at the Unicorn Theatre
A powerful drama exploring the lives and moral courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones during the March on Washington era.
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July 3 | 8 p.m. – Indigo Comedy Night with Dan St. Germain
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July 5 | 7 p.m. – 100 Years of Movies: The French Connection (introduced by Deborah Reinisch), the acclaimed neo-noir thriller known for its iconic performances and legendary chase sequence.
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FAMILY FUN & COMMUNITY
The library lawn comes alive with performance and community events.
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July 5 | 5–6 p.m. – Olga Dunn Dance Company performance
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July 9–12 – Annual Used Book Sale With over 12,000 gently used and cleaned books spanning 37 categories for easy browsing, you're bound to discover some hidden gems that will make your bookshelf sing. Admission to the sale is absolutely FREE! If you want to get a head start, come on Thursday, July 9, from 12 to 5 pm ($10 "early bird" fee all day).
- Dates and Hours:
Thursday, July 9: 12-5 p.m. ($10 “early bird” fee all day)
Friday, July 10: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 11: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 12: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
July 3 | 6 p.m. (Adams Town Common)
This powerful reenactment of Susan B. Anthony’s 1876 “Declaration of the Rights of
Women” returns for a second year. Experience history brought to life as interpreters present this landmark speech. Muriel Dyas reprises her acclaimed performance as Susan B. Anthony, joined by a cast of local actors wearing authentic 19th-century costumes. Attendees are invited to gather on the common for an inspiring evening that honors the legacy of women’s suffrage and sparks conversation about equality today.
MUSUEMS, HISTORY & CULTURE
Chesterwood blends art, history, and civic dialogue throughout the week.
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July 7 & July 9 | 5:30 p.m. – Arts Alive
Dancer Ian Spencer Bell and pianist Lauren Aiola present a program inspired by Isadora Duncan and Schubert, combining movement, music, and poetic interpretation.
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July 8 | 5 p.m. – Patriotism in Practice: History, Media, and Civic Life A timely public conversation moderated by Governor Deval Patrick featuring journalist Martin Baron, historian Kendra Field, and Wesleyan University President Michael S. Roth. The discussion explores how patriotism has been defined and redefined across generations of American life.
Chesterwood also offers Art Classes with Berkshire Art Center and Children's Programs. Visitors can also experience The Minute Man: Examining Patriotism, Victory and Loss and In the Open: New England Sculptors Reclaim the Landscape, both on view through October 31.
Ventfort Hall Mansion & Gilded Age Museum (Lenox)
July 3 | 7 p.m. – Ghost Tour with Robert Oakes
Step inside one of Lenox’s most atmospheric historic homes for a guided evening ghost tour exploring stories, legends, and unexplained moments from the mansion’s past.
July 7 | 4 p.m. – Tea & Talk: A Step Back in Time with Carole Owens
A thoughtful discussion exploring daily life in the Berkshires during the Revolutionary era—how people lived, traveled, worked, and shaped community life during America’s earliest years.
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July 7 | 6 p.m., photojournalist Jane Feldman and author Shannon LaNier present Jefferson’s Children: Reflecting on the Complex Legacy of America at 250, an engaging discussion about family history, historical memory, and the intertwined legacies of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Through photographs, personal stories, and thoughtful conversation, the program explores how understanding our shared past can help shape a more inclusive future.
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July 9 | 5:30 p.m.– James Van Der Zee: Black Excellence and Everyday Life
Summer Author Series | July 6 – August 25 A cornerstone of the season, the Summer Author Series brings together acclaimed biographers and cultural historians whose work illuminates bold lives and transformative moments. On July 6 & 7, Julia Ioffe, Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy.
NEW | New York Stories A dynamic new series exploring the artists, visionaries, and power brokers who shaped New York’s cultural identity. On July 8 Lenox to Harlem: The Life and Art of James Van Der Zee with Donna Van Der Zee and Jeff L. Rosenheim. (sold out, join the wait list)
Forest Bathing, Make-and-Take Arts- and Crafts, Make Your Own Mini-Comic Workshop with Colleen AF Venable, Qigong with Jamie Greene, and Le Cafe Francis continue throughout the week.
The Clark offers a mix of exhibitions, nature programming, and live music in its outdoor spaces.
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July 4 – Ground/Work 2025
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July 5 – Sensing Nature at the Clark
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July 8 | 6–7:30 p.m. – Free Summer Concert: Vaguely Pagan
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July 9 – Family program: Sculpture Portraits
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New exhibitions include: An Exquisite Eye Introducing the As O. Tavitian Collection & Giorgio Griffa Paths in the Forest
Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio (Lenox) offers recurring programs including Director’s Corner, held Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:15am, Artist Demonstrations held Fridays at 11 am (Oil Painting with Nicole Rose July 3) and Exercise Your Creativity held Sundays 11am-1pm. Thoughtful Thursday Films Part 2 "Matisse" MoMA & Tate Modern's exhibit "The Cut-Outs", the final chapter of his career (July 2, 2pm).
Gardens & Outdoor Experiences
Set against sweeping garden views, Naumkeag offers daily tours and evening wellness programming.
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July 6 | 8:30 p.m. – Burn & Flow Yoga
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July 9 | 7 p.m. – Sunset Yoga
A celebration of nature and community continues throughout the week.
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July 4 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. – 250 Years of Trees workshop
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July 6 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Music Mondays, featuring The Eagles Trombone Ensemble
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July 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.– Sunset Yoga in the Garden
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Looking ahead: Fête des Fleurs: Garden Disco (July 11)
The funds raised at this year’s celebration support everything they do at Berkshire Botanical Garden — from caring for 24 acres of gardens and natural spaces to welcoming thousands of visitors and offering educational programs for our community. If you’re unable to attend, we hope you’ll consider making a gift to support the Garden and help it continue to grow and inspire.
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Plan your stay in Stockbridge, MA where authentic New England hospitality awaits year-round. Browse area accommodations, explore their websites for the full experience, and book directly with the property of your choice.
Our galleries, shops, restaurants, and local services are open throughout the seasons, and we encourage visitors to Support Local. Stroll through towns and rediscover the charm of brick-and-mortar businesses, where you’re often greeted by the owners themselves. Many shops also offer online shopping, while restaurants feature alfresco dining, takeout, and services upon walk-in or by appointment.
Outdoor adventure is part of every season in Stockbridge. Hike the trails maintained by the Laurel Hill Association, or spend the day at the Stockbridge Bowl. From kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, and fishing in summer, the Berkshires offer recreation for every age and interest.
Discover more outdoor adventures #intheberkshires at BerkshiresOutside.org — a comprehensive guide to trailheads, boat launches, and recreation access points throughout the Berkshires.
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This page is updated weekly to assist you with events, hours of operations, outdoor activities and more. The summer cultural programming is here.
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| | Summer offerings: click on image for details | |
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