Wednesday, December 4, 2013

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Photo courtesy of imagefactory

With the weather getting colder every day here in Williamstown, the holiday décor begins to make an appearance all through town. Lights are being hung, chimneys are puffing out smoke, cookies are being baked and Christmas lists are being made J This might be my favorite time of year, holiday music plays on the radio on my way to work and holiday movies are playing when I wind down and snuggle up each evening. Hot cocoa is a staple that I keep in my home all winter long and we begin clearing space for a Christmas tree! But I’m not the only one getting excited for the holidays; the Berkshires are in full Holiday swing too! There will be lots of ways to celebrate the holidays here whether it be a family event you’re trying to plan, Christmas Tree lightings or holiday concerts that Williams College will be putting on, come celebrate with us!

Celebrate the Holidays at The Mount!
The Mount in Lenox, MA is open on three consecutive Saturdays this holiday season until December 14th. They will be debuting their new Backstairs tour – learn about the daily routines and the men and women who ran The Mount! The gift shop will be open for holiday shopping from 11am – 3pm with Backstairs Tours at 12pm & 2pm.
 “Backstairs” tours will be given at 12:00pm and 2pm.

Williams College Music for December
Beginning on the 1st and continuing daily until December 31st, Williams College will be putting on numerous concerts for the holiday season!
Williams College Department of Music calendar for December:
December 4th MIDWEEKMUSIC at Chapin Hall, stage, 12:15PM
December 4th Violin Studio Recital at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 4pm
December 4th Small Jazz Ensembles at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 7pm
December 5th Senior Viola Recital with Lysander Jaffe ’14 at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 7pm
December 6th  Piano Studio Recital at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall , 4pm
December 6th  Williams College Wind Ensemble at Chapin Hall, 8pm
December 7th Voice Studio Recital at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 1pm
December 7th  A Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols at Thompson Memorial Chapel, 4pm
December 7th  Williams Student Symphony at Chapin Hall, 8pm
December 8th  A Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols at Thompson Memorial Chapel, 4pml
December 9th  Senior Piano Recital with Kirk Swanson ’14 at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 4pm
December 9th  Cello Studio Recital and Voice Studio Recital at Chapin Hall. 6pm
December 9th  MIDWEEKMUSIC Tuesday at Chapin Hall, stage, 12:15pm
December 10th Clarinet Choir with students of Susan Martula at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 4pm
December 10th Jazz Guitar Studio Recital  at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 7pm
December 10th  Chamber Music Studio Recital at Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, 8pm

North Adams Tree Lighting Celebration
Join hundreds of festive faces on December 4th as North Adams, MA gears up for the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Hometown Holidays kick-off event! A crowd will gather around the tree at Monument Square on Main Street (between the First Congregational and First Baptist Churches), and count down the seconds until the switch is thrown and thousands of twinkling lights adorn the downtown. Santa will stop in for a visit with free goodie bags for the little ones. Holiday music will be provided by the Drury Band. 5pm – 7pm.

Lenox Christmas Tree Lighting
The Traditional Lenox Town Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 6th at 6pm at Lilac Park. Visits with Santa and Holiday Goodies will be at the Lenox Community Center directly following the Ceremony at Lilac park.

Holiday Concert with Solas
On December 6th, the eve of Williamstown’s popular Holiday Walk weekend, the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute of Williamstown, MA welcomes Irish-American band Solas for a holiday concert. The event takes place in the Clark’s auditorium at 8 pm. Tickets are $35 ($30 members). Call 413.458.0524. Order early as holiday concerts almost always sell out.

Festival of Trees Family Day and Children’s Holiday Shopping Boutique
Admission is only $3 for everyone (even Santa). Bring the entire family to Bennington, VT to the Bennington Museum on December 7th for a special day of celebration. Children (under 18) who bring a personal care item for adults or children that will be donated to a local food pantry come in free. For the children ages 4 to 12, the Children’s Shopping Boutique offers unusual gifts for all people on their gift list. Prices range from $1 to $7 and include gift-wrapping. While at the museum, do not forget to visit with Santa! Be sure to view the “Children’s Forest,” a display featuring tabletop trees decorated by area elementary school classes.

Williamstown Holiday Walk
Join in the festivities on December 7th at the 30th Annual Williamstown Holiday walk livening Spring Street with the festive Reindog Parade, musical performances, Penny Social, Christmas Tree Showcase, Santa Claus, holiday cookie bake – off, tree lighting and much much more. 3pm – 6pm.

Pack your Christmas sweaters and we’ll be sure to make the cocoa and come visit us at The 1896 House for the Holidays! Rooms are filling up quickly this season so be sure to act fast and book your rooms with me while there are still some left!