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Learn Local. Play Local.
As November moves deeper toward winter, bare branches open wider views across Western Massachusetts, frost lingers longer in the morning, and earlier sunsets bring us indoors. At the Forbes Library in Northampton, Dinovember reaches far beneath today’s landscape to explore dinosaur tracks left in the Connecticut River Valley millions of years ago. Closer to the surface, an autumn hike at Bright Water Bog in Shutesbury reveals carnivorous plants and other species adapted to a rare wetland habitat, while Hope Grows at Home in South Hadley looks at how native plants can support biodiversity right in our own backyards and common spaces. In Greenfield, UMass Fernald Entomology Clubs invite close observation of anatomy and adaptation of live insects, and as darkness arrives before dinner, a Starlight Owl and Wildlife Prowl in Lenox offers another way to experience the woods by listening and looking for animals active after dark.
As colder weather brings more gatherings indoors, November offers opportunities to experience music and dance, hear stories, and develop artisan skills. At Smith College in Northampton, an Autumn Serenade celebrates the expressive range of the human voice through choral music, while Birds and Flight explores the natural world through jazz and improvisation. At Williams College in Williamstown, a Middle Eastern Music Ensemble offers an opportunity to experience a musical tradition with its own cultural history. Contra dances in Amherst, Montague, and Williamstown keep a long-standing social dance tradition alive through live music and caller-led dancing. Opportunities to develop artisan skills include sashiko visible mending and ceramic gratitude boxes in Greenfield, along with ceramic hand-building in Leverett. Together, these November gatherings show how seasonal change can turn our attention toward traditions, skills, and forms of expression that communities continue to practice and pass along.
Discover more events in our list of
Weekly Suggested Events:
Thurs, November 12 | Fri, November 13 | Sat, November 14 | Sun, November 15 | Mon, Novermber 16 | Tues, November 17 | Wed, November 18 | Thurs, November 19 | Fri, November 20
| | HILLTOWN FAMILIES FEATURED SPONSORS | | FEATURED EVENTS, RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE IN WESTERN MA! | |
Berkshire Museum's "Festival of Trees: Let's Play" returns to the renovated museum in Pittsfield, celebrating the creativity and connection play brings to our lives. Enjoy festive displays, special events, and opportunities for fun and discovery all season long. "Let's Play" runs from November 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027. | | | FEATURED EVENT
Moonlight Magic
Shelburne Falls, MA | Moonlight Magic transforms Shelburne Falls into a festive holiday destination on Nov 27, with lights, music, parades, shopping, and activities for all ages. Enjoy extended shop hours, food trucks, live entertainment, and family fun throughout the village. | | | The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum hosts Moonlight Magic on Nov 27 from 4-8pm. Families can ride the decorated Trolley Car #10 under festive holiday lights, then cozy up in the Red Caboose to make a simple ornament. Kids will love the wooden and electric trains at the Visitor's Center. A nostalgic annual event that brings the trolley's past and present together. | | | Celebrate outdoors at Hilltown Land Trust’s Gorge après Gorge 5K Trail Run and Family Fun Walk on Sunday, Nov 29 at Chesterfield Gorge. Enjoy a walk, kids’ run, 5K race, hot drinks, a potluck, handmade hats for winners, cookie medals for all, and new prizes for kids this year. Fun for all ages. | | | Explore food security resources across Western Massachusetts, including local food pantries, community meals, grocery assistance, and seasonal food drives. Discover ways to access support, volunteer, donate, and help strengthen the community connections that keep neighbors nourished throughout the year. | | | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES YEARLY SPONSORS | | FEATURED EVENTS, CLASSES, SCHOOLS, & MORE IN WESTERN MA! | |
FEATURED COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA | Enrichment. Exploration. Fun with friends. Holyoke Community College offers all these through professional development and personal enrichment courses. Courses are available for those seeking youth programming, wanting to learn something new, looking to have fun with friends, aiming to enhance their resume, or needing workforce training. | | | |  |
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FEATURED SCHOOL
Campus School of Smith College
Northampton, MA
| The Campus School of Smith College provides an innovative K-6 education in Northampton, where students benefit from exceptional resources that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Families can learn more about the school by scheduling a tour or attending the Fall Open House on Thursday, Nov 19, from 8:30-10:30am. | | | |
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA | The Academy at Charlemont is an all-gender day school for grades 6-12, fostering joyful learning and active citizenship in Charlemont, MA. Small classes, diverse electives, and personalized advising help students become confident, engaged leaders. Information session on Nov 15 in Amherst. | | | | |
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Common School
Amherst, MA | The Common School in Amherst welcomes families to its Open House on Saturday, Nov 14, 10-11:30am. Tour classrooms, meet teachers, and explore the Reggio Emilia-inspired Nursery-6th Grade program. Children are encouraged to learn by doing in a close-knit community. Tuition assistance is available. | | | |
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA | The Bement School in Deerfield, founded in 1925, is a day and boarding school for kindergarten through grade 9 with 225 students. Known for its rigorous academics and caring, multinational community, Bement integrates arts and athletics daily and values kindness, curiosity, and compassion. Financial aid is available, and applications for fall 2027 are open. | | | | |
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SEE YOUR AD HERE
Our Holiday Sale is Happening
Through November 20!
| Are you looking to promote your event, organization, or venue? A Featured Ad is an affordable and effective way to reach a regional audience. Featured Ads are ideal for promoting time-sensitive offerings, such as events, open houses, classes, and fundraisers. They also serve as a valuable outreach tool and a great way to partner with Hilltown Families! | | | |
Make room in the week for stories, play, and time together. Hilltown Families’ guide to Playgroups & Storytimes in Western Massachusetts brings together recurring opportunities for young children and their caregivers across the region. Storytimes introduce children to books, language, rhythm, and storytelling, while playgroups offer space for movement, imaginative play, social connection, and hands-on discovery. These welcoming community gatherings can also help caregivers meet other families and become familiar with local libraries, family centers, and neighborhood resources. Whether looking for a weekly outing or new places to explore together, discover playgroups and storytimes happening throughout the four counties of Western Mass. | | | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES ANNUAL DIRECTORIES | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES ANNUAL SPONSORS | |
Step back into a time when singing to apple trees was all in a day's work, as we explore the charming tradition of wassailing, a heartfelt ritual from England's West Country that honors apple orchards. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon greeting "wæs þu hæl," meaning "be in good health," this celebration involves singing to apple trees and offering bread and cider in gratitude for their bounty. | | | | |
Families can learn together this winter by exploring evergreens in nearby forests. Notice textures, shapes, and colors, and collect samples to create a home nature table. Find inspiration and activities in our post "Mindful Engagement Through The Seasons: Evergreens." | | | |
From cornflakes to cocoa, seeds power our meals and celebrations. Families can learn how wheat, beans, nuts, and more link food, culture, and traditions year-round. | | | | |
From the straightforward simplicity of binary to the sophisticated intricacies of Roman numerals, let's explore the various languages of numbers. Different number systems can assist children in understanding numerals and place values. By navigating these diverse numerical landscapes, you not only enhance your math skills but also deepen your connection to a rich global heritage of numeracy. | | | |
Uncover the underground world of zines, where creativity flows freely and every booklet is a rebellion against mainstream media. Zines are self-published booklets that cover various topics and originated in the 1930s science fiction fandom. They allow for creative expression, combine visual and textual storytelling, and empower individuals to share their voices and build niche communities. | | | | |
Families can learn through knitting by exploring patterns, counting stitches, and discovering local fiber farms. This hands-on craft encourages math learning, creativity, and community care. | | | | |
🎶📻 HFVS Uplifting Songs in Challenging Times Episode with Guest DJ, Peter Alsop
What can we do when someone feels left out, unheard, or treated unfairly? Guest DJ Peter Alsop explores how everyday choices can make a difference in this Uplifting Songs in Challenging Times episode of the Hilltown Family Variety Show. His song “You Need A Good Listenin’ To” starts with the importance of hearing others, while “Skin Color” and “I Wear Pink” invite listeners to question the assumptions that can lead to exclusion. Stuart Stotts’ “Different Choice” considers what it takes to act differently from the crowd, and Alastair Moock’s “Be A Pain” explores why speaking up matters when something feels unfair. Together, these songs invite families to notice how they treat others and consider what they can do to help someone feel welcome.
Every Saturday, listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show either on your FM dial at 103.3FM WXOJ (Northampton, MA) or on our website for a full hour of commercial-free, quality family programming! Encores air Sunday mornings from 7-8am.
Hilltown Families eNewsletter subscribers are invited to an exclusive preview each week!
➡️ Click here for a speak preview of this weekend's episode. ⬅️
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The Nolumbeka Project's annual Full Beaver Moon Gathering at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls features Strong Eagle "Many Feathers" Daly, who shares flute music and stories inspired by Nipmuc teachings. Learn how music and storytelling pass on cultural knowledge and the role these traditions play in Indigenous communities. | | | |
As the days grow shorter, communities learn to brighten winter nights with lanterns, candles, and festive lights. The Mount in Lenox invites families to learn how artists use light and sound to transform its woods and gardens into an immersive experience. Visitors discover how light alters our perception of nature and how sound shapes the atmosphere. | | | |
Gather around an outdoor fire at November Moon Circle in the Williamstown area to reflect on seasonal changes and communal traditions. Explore how moon phases have helped people mark time and connect with nature. | | | | What is Hilltown Families? | | | Hilltown Families’ mission is to support the common good of our community through the development of a sense of place by a shared understanding in the value of self-directed learning through community engagement. These learning values are referred to as “community-based education” and are accessible and inclusive to an intergenerational audience. This process of learning unites community members through shared interests, establishes a shared history, and deepens a connection to place. | | Your finacial support keeps Hilltown Families freely shared and community-driven after 20 years of service. We’re grateful for your help in continuing this work. | | |
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Ashfield, Bernardston, Chester, Deerfield, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Lee, Leyden, Mount Washington, Orange, Plainfield, Richmond, South Hadley, Washington, Westhampton, and West Springfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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