Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic
Two days of holiday activities, local shopping, family fun, and community traditions, hot chocolate, ice sculptures, and more.
Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic
Friday-Saturday, December 5 & 6 | Downtown Pittsfield, MA
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. hosts the annual Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, with two days of holiday activities, local shopping, family fun, and community traditions.
Friday, December 5
The celebration begins with the City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm. The Pittsfield High School Chorus performs at 5:45pm, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive following the lighting. Lipton Market will serve free hot chocolate and coffee, and holiday-themed ice sculptures by Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey begin at 5pm, weather permitting. Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort (95 East Street) will offer free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5-8pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the Christian Center food pantry.
Saturday, December 6
The Festive Frolic continues with The Berkshire Bazaar at The Holiday Inn (1 West Street) from 11am-4pm, a curated marketplace featuring handmade goods and gifts from local makers and small businesses.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church host a free Kids’ Paint & Sip from 12:30-3pm in the church auditorium (67 East Street). Children ages 5-12 will receive a small canvas and ornament to paint, along with snacks, juice, and a yarn snowflake craft from the Berkshire Museum.
Santa will greet families during free photo sessions in Dunham Mall (100 North Street) from 12:30-3pm. Hand Crafted will provide free hot chocolate and cider, and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will give away free Winston Ornaments while supplies last.
Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) will collect new winter coats and boots for its Elf Children’s Warm Clothing Program at Dunham Mall. Donors will be entered into a raffle for a one-night stay at Hotel on North; BCAC will offer free cookies. The winner will be drawn at 3pm.
Additional activities include:
• Free live music at Hot Plate Brewing Co. (1 School Street) with musician JJ Slater from 1-3pm
• Donkey Day at the Berkshire Carousel (50 Center Street) from 12-5pm, featuring free rides sponsored by author Kevin O’Hara
• Free dried floral ornament crafting at SOLARIUM Plant Shop (46 West Street) from 12:30-3pm
• Holiday-themed Drag Story Hour with Sativo Green at Indie Readery and Records (314 North Street) from 1-2:30pm
• Free drop-in crafts for all ages at the Berkshire Athenaeum (1 Wendell Avenue) from 12:30-3pm
• The 11th annual Wreath Art Auction at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts (28 Renne Avenue) from 4-6pm, benefiting the Pittsfield Community Food Pantry (suggested $10 donation).
For a full schedule and updates, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call 413-443-6501.
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