Holiday Events Guide 2019: More Than 12 Days Worth Of Spirit-Filled Fun
What are you doing for the holidays? We're overflowing with suggestions for you.
It’s a time for list checking, so we’ve compiled one for you to make things easier when relatives or friends are visiting for the holidays. Need to do some gift shopping, or just like browsing holiday markets? Or maybe you want to introduce your kids and grandkids to a Nutcracker or Christmas Carol performance? The Rural Intelligence region is full of places and performances imbued with the holiday spirit. We'll be continuing to add events as they come to our attention, so be sure to check our main Events pages, too.
Town Traditions And Holiday Walks
Through Dec. 29 Winterlights at Naumkeag, Stockbridge, MA Experience the gardens in winter as thousands of lights and installations, seasonal characters and more light up the holiday season.
Dec. 6 Celebration of Lights Parade, Downtown Poughkeepsie, NY Named the “Best Event” of the holiday season by Dutchess County Tourism, the evening kicks off with the parade and tree lighting, followed by a screening of the family classic Sandlot at the Bardavon.
Dec. 6 Candlelight Night, Kinderhook, NY Join in a tree-lighting ceremony, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, food and drinks, a wandering magician and more at various locations in Kinderhook.
Dec. 6-8 Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, Stockbridge, MA Festivities include a holiday reading, house tours, caroling, horse-drawn rides, and a re-creation of Norman Rockwell’s “Main Street at Christmas,” complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting.
Dec. 7 Sinterklaas Festival Day, Rhinebeck, NY An Old Dutch tradition in the Hudson Valley, Sinterklaas is a day-long celebration for all ages, taking place throughout the Village of Rhinebeck, with children’s workshops, dance, theater and music, and The Children’s Starlight Parade.
Dec. 7 Hudson Hall’s Winter Walk, Hudson, NY It’s the town’s largest, liveliest and most colorful event. Warren Street will be closed off so spectators can enjoy storefront displays, roaming carolers and street performers, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a magical fireworks display from the Hudson River, and much more.
Dec. 14 Chatham Winterfest, Chatham, NY Festgoers will be able to hear dramatic readings of "The Carpenter's Gift" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," attend a free screening of Prancer at the Crandell Theatre, and take a wreath-making workshop with Flower Blossom Farm. Both children and pets will have their chances to pose for photos with Santa, and more.
Dec. 14 Holiday Shop, Sip & Stroll, Great Barrington, MA Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce sponsors "store-to-store holiday hospitality" with activities for kids, a holiday market and fire pit, a holiday photo booth, carolers, and much more.
Dec. 14 Yuletide Tea at Wilderstein, Rhinebeck, NY This festive holiday event features a variety of teas, finger sandwiches, and homemade cakes and cookies. A tour of the mansion is also included. Reservations are necessary, as seating is limited and fills up quickly.
Dec. 14 Valatie WinterWalk & Parade, Valatie, NY Santa and Mrs. Claus will ride through the village during the annual Winter Parade, beginning at 5 p.m. sharp. Afterward, Santa will park his sleigh at the Valatie Community Theatre on Main Street to visit with children. Adults should stick around, too, for shopping, holiday food sampling, and live music and entertainment until 9 p.m.
Dec. 18 Holiday in the Depot, Washington Depot, CT Celebrate the season with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and carols sung by the Washington Primary School Chorus. Santa will arrive by a horse-drawn wagon and pose for photos. Plus live music, s’mores and more at Judy Black Memorial Park.
Performances
Dec. 6-15 A The Snow Queen at Ancram Opera House, Ancram, NY A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale becomes a drama in and of itself in this new adaptation with music, presented as a staged concert and accompanied by striking visuals.
Dec. 6-22 A Christmas Carol at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, NY For the 14th year, CPAR presents the Dickens classic directed by Diana di Grandi and starring Center favorites. The final performance, on Sunday, Dec. 22, will be a fundraiser for The Center. Carols will be distributed so you may participate in this sing-along show, drinks will flow, goodies will be provided and Santa will show.
Dec. 7 Marist College’s Ecumenical Service of Lesson & Carols at Redeemed Christian Fellowship, Poughkeepsie, NY The Marist version features student musical ensembles including the String Orchestra, Handbell Choir, and Marist Singers. Nearly 200 musicians and singers will perform. The service will also include readings by members of the Marist community.
Dec. 7 Christmas Concert with The Salisbury Four, Salisbury, CT The Salisbury Association presents a concert of seasonal music and works from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. For reservations, contact The Salisbury Association at (860) 435-0566 or email info@salisburyassociation.org.
Dec. 7 Sounds of the Season by Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, Hyde Park, NY Under the direction of William Stevens, the orchestra will perform holiday songs from stage and screen including selections from “March of the Toys,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Polar Express” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” along with selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
Dec. 7-8 Gerald Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol at Ventfort Hall, Lenox, MA The great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, British actor Gerald Charles Dickens, will present a one-man theatrical performance of his ancestor’s classic work. Working his own adaptation of the Christmas tale, Gerald plays 26 characters using vocal and physical talents to bring each scene to life. An elegant Victorian tea will follow.
Dec. 7-8 Service of Lessons & Carols at Thompson Memorial Chapel at Williams College, Williamstown, MA The event will feature choral music by the Williams Concert and Chamber Choirs, congregational singing of familiar carols, and the traditional reading of the biblical Christmas story. Students, faculty and staff from the College and members of the local community read the traditional “lessons” derived from the biblical Christmas story.
Dec. 7-21 A Christmas Carol at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, MA Revel in the joy and redemptive power of Christmas as told in the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. There will be a community and sensory-friendly performance on Dec. 11.
Dec. 8 Cantilena Chamber Choir: Christmas at Trinity, Lenox, MA The concert will include Vivaldi's "Gloria" with instrumental ensemble, “Winter” from Vaughan Williams’ “Folksongs of the Four Seasons,” and new carols by contemporary composer Dan Forrest. Guests include the Hudson Valley Choral Society.
Dec. 8 RESCHEDULED Caroling to the Cows at Churchtown Dairy, Hudson, NY Join Crescendo singers and an ensemble of period brass players in serenading the cows. See Rural Intelligence's story for more information.
Dec. 12 Tony Trischka: Of a Winter’s Night at Dewey Hall, Sheffield, MA Tony Trischka's acoustic celebration of the holiday season is based on his 2015 album of the same name. This show features Trischka’s melodic inventiveness on a wide variety of seasonal tunes. Joined by multi-instrumentalist and shape-note singer Tim Eriksen, Trischka also revels in songs long-forgotten and little-known.
Dec. 13 Boxxa Vine’s "Dragged Through the Holidays" at The Foundry, West Stockbridge, MA Join Berkshire County's very own drag queen on a manic and magical tour of the holidays. Rated PG-13 for some adult content (all ages welcome).
Dec. 14 Mistletoe & Martini Holiday Cabaret Train Berkshire Scenic Railway, Adams, MA Enjoy a 1950s Christmas-themed version of the hour-long cabaret train, with live holiday music provided by Samantha Talora and Ron Ramsey. (Note: BYO beverages and snacks.)
Dec. 21 Hudson Valley Philharmonic's "Messiah" at Bardavon, Poughkeepsie, NY For the 6th straight year, hundreds of instrumentalists and singers join forces to perform one of the world’s greatest choral works, and you can sing along to the Hallelujah chorus. Audience members are invited to a pre-concert talk with the conductor and soloists and/or members of the orchestra one hour prior to the performance.
Markets And Other Shopping Opps
Through Dec. 30 Hand Made Here Holiday Pop-up, Hudson, NY A daily showcase of more than 40 local artisans in two outposts on Warren Street: Hudson River Exchange at 510 and Drop Forge & Tool at 442. Handmade everything, from home goods and clothing to perfumes and specialty foods.
Dec. 6-7 George Home Holiday Party and Pop Up Washington Depot, CT Shop a finely curated collection of vintage and estate pieces from Melody Rogers jewelry.
Dec. 6-8 Berkshire Botanical Garden Holiday Marketplace & Very Botanical Feast, Stockbridge, MA The Friday night dinner party leads into two days of shopping for handmade wreaths, jewelry, ceramics and more.
Dec. 6-8 The Christmas Shoppe at the Merwinsville Hotel, Gaylordsville, CT The Hotel is transformed for the holidays, and some of the area’s most talented artists sell their work to support the ongoing restoration of the 176-year-old building.
Dec. 7 New Preston Winter Walk, New Preston, CT The 10th annual Winter Walk will featue events focused on food, cooking, and entertaining for the holidays. Be serenaded by strolling musicians and enjoy special sips and nibbles in each store.
Dec. 7 Maya’s Legacy Leather Handbags & Luggage Pop-up Shop at Equis Art Gallery, Red Hook, NY Shop a trunk show for Maya's Legacy leather handbags and luggage, adorned with Huipil weavings by indigenous women in Guatemala.
Dec. 7-8 Handmade Holiday Festival at The Stationery Factory, Dalton, MA The one-stop holiday shopping destination run by Roots Rising serves as a testing ground for new artisans and a cornerstone sale for seasoned vendors. Enjoy locally roasted coffee and prepared food while you shop.
Dec. 7-8 Salisbury Artisans Group Holiday Market at The White Hart Inn, Salisbury, CT More than 25 artisans offering handcrafted items including pottery, textiles, organic skin care, jewelry, felted toys, jams and more, with sales benefiting local nonprofits.
Dec. 7-8 Vinegar Festival at Our Lady of the Resurrection Monastery, LaGrangeville, NY The 19th annual Christmas Vinegar Festival will include 10 vinegar varieties, along with other giftable items, including Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila Latourrette's nine bestselling cookbooks.
Dec. 7-8 Millbrook Holiday Shopping Event, Millbrook, NY Most shops (giftware, home furnishings, clothing, paper items, books, toys, and high-end alpaca) will offer special discounts, promotions, and giveaways as carolers and musicians entertain. Santa will be a special guest. From 4-6 p.m., many retailers will participate in a “sip and shop,” offering complimentary adult libations to shoppers.
Dec. 14-15 Shire City Sanctuary's Holiday Shindy at the Al-Khalil Culture Center (former Shire City Sanctuary), Pittsfield, MA The 13th annual handmade craft fair features 40 vendors selected for their unique and distinctive offerings. Vendors include woodworkers, toymakers, printers, jewelers, ceramicists, apothecaries, clothing designers, upcyclers, farmers and more.
Dec. 14 Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers Market at Monument Valley Middle School, Great Barrington, MA Shop locally grown and produced foods and gifts, including fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, yarn and more, plus live music, lunch fare and children’s activities.
Dec. 15 Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers Market at Williams College's Towne Field House, Williamstown, MA Fresh, locally grown and produced foods and gifts, including fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, preserved foods, plus grilled sausages, egg sandwiches and lamb kebabs.
Dec. 21-22 GBAM Delightful & Delectable Holiday Market at Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA Great Barrington Arts Market presents a unique holiday sale featuring Berkshires handmade gifts and giftable treats. Braise Worthy will be on site all weekend selling hot meals featuring their signature braises.
