Change-up to Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas This Year

No matter where you live in the Berkshires, there is nothing like seeing the icon re-creation of Norman Rockwell’s historic ‘Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas’ painting and the festivities that the town holds around it every December. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, it won’t be happening this year. There will however be some virtual events and outdoor offerings that will try to fill the gap this year.

The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s iconic painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas on the first weekend in December annually.

However, according to a recent press release from the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, due to the COVID-19 situation and the need to maintain the health and safety of patrons, the celebration and gathering will not be taking place this year. Chamber officials instead say that they will embrace the character of the “Best New England Christmas Town” with virtual events, and outdoor, masked-up and socially distanced offerings.

Highlights this year will include virtual readings & a holiday marketplace, online videos of holiday concerts past and Main Street at Christmas celebrations, as well as, outdoor holiday light shows, live theatre and more. Most events will run through the full month of December.

Here is a listing of what you can expect this December:

Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Presented by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce
December 4 – December 6, 2020 | Online
An online video of over 30 years of celebrations. This video will be available through December 31, 2020.
Free | Visit website www.stockbridgemainstreetatchristmas.com for link

Holiday Concert

Presented by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce
December 4 – December 6, 2020 | Online

An online video mix of Holiday Concerts past. This video will be available through December 31, 2020.
Free | Visit website www.stockbridgemainstreetatchristmas.com for link

Winter Wonderland Walkway at the Stockbridge Library
Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce &
Stockbridge Library Association
46 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA
December 4 – December 31, 2020
Stroll through the Holiday Tree walkway all decorated with festive lights. Masks and social distancing required.
Free

Holiday Marketplace
Berkshire Botanical Garden
5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA
December 4 – December 5, 2020 | Online
An eagerly awaited tradition continues at Berkshire Botanical Garden on Friday and Saturday, December 4-5 with Holiday Marketplace Online featuring the legendary Gallery of Wreaths. Beginning December 3, choose from a collection of unique, one-of-a-kind designer wreaths on display virtually through the Garden's online Shop. and pre-schedule curbside pickup here to assure safe, quick delivery directly to your vehicle. A limited assortment of holiday blooming amaryllis and paperwhites in decorative and clay containers will also be available for purchase online and in the Garden Shop while supplies last. All purchases support the Garden's education and horticulture departments. www.berkshirebotanical.org

Story Walk
Stockbridge Library Association
46 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA

December 4 - December 6, 2020

Children may visit Story walk around the outside of the library featuring the book Red Sled by Lita Judge. For more details visit www.stockbridgelibray.org

A Reading from Dickens
Stockbridge Library Association

December 6, 2020 | 3:00 pm | Virtual

What if Scrooge were a woman? Bestselling novelist and award-winning audiobook narrator Alison Larkin changes the gender of Scrooge in this timely and fresh adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

This event will be streamed via Zoom | link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82765855369?pwd=enlyMjJ3WUJpMGF2MUMrWHFHMDIyZz09

Holiday Memories

Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre
6 East Street, Stockbridge, MA

November 20 – December 20, 2020

by Truman Capote staged version by Russell Vandenbroucke directed by Eric Hill

The Unicorn Theatre (Outside in the Courtyard)
Bundle up and join us for a holiday show that's sure to warm your heart! The barn in Stockbridge will light up and serve as the backdrop for Holiday Memories, Truman Capote’s recollection of his childhood and friendship with his cousin, Sook, in depression-era Alabama. Act 1 and 2 will each run about 30 minutes and in between audiences will be invited indoors for warm drinks and seasonal treats. The barn will not only provide the setting, but will also allow a safe environment for distancing and ventilation during these challenging days. This event promises to provide its own evening for a holiday memory for all.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. Tickets: $50 for Adults; $25 for Children 16 and under, there will be a 50% discount on tickets for frontline workers
Winterlights
Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA
Tuesdays – Sundays, November 27, 2020 – January 2, 2020 | 4:30 – 8:30 pm
Plus: Mondays, December 21 & 28
The beautiful garden property sparkles with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights. Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, and safe outdoor experience – with food, refreshments, and more.
More information and tickets at https://thetrustees.org/program/winterlights/ Limited capacity, Winterlights will sell out
Friday & Saturday Member Adult: $20, Member Child: $5, Nonmember Adult: $25, Nonmember Child: $10,Kids under 2 are free

Sunday – Thursday Member Adult: $15, Member Child: $5, Nonmember Adult: $20, Nonmember Child: $10,Kids under 2 are free

Holidays at the Norman Rockwell Museum

9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA
December 5 – December 31, 2020
The museum will continue its cherished tradition of recreating a miniature Stockbridge winter village and toy trainset for visitors’ enjoyment. See the original Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas painting. Celebrate the holidays with a Wish Tree on the front terrace, all are invited to write down a wish to decorate the tree. Shoppers can find the widest range of Rockwell prints, posters, puzzles, books, cards, ornaments, and more. The museum requires the purchase of timed-tickets in advance of arrival. Members Free, Adults $20, Seniors, AAA, Retired Military $18, College Students $10, Children 18 yrs and under Free, Active Military, EBT/SNAP/Connector Card, Free Teachers (MA, NY, CT, NH, VT), Front Line Medical Workers (through December 31, 2020) www.nrm.org

Holiday House Tour
Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Museum
104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA
Open Thursday through Tuesday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed Wednesdays
Experience the historic property all dressed up for the holidays. Both the first and second floor are handicapped accessible with a lift available to go to the second floor. Self-guided tours are by reservation at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Reservations are taken by phone only at (413) 637-3206. $18.00 adults, $17.00 for seniors (65 and over), $10.00 for students (ages 18 – 23) with student ID, Members Free, $7 – Children 5-17 years. www.gildedage.org

NightWood

The Mount

2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, MA

Thursdays – Sundays, November 19, 2020 – January 3, 2020 | 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Closed November 26, December 24-25, 2020

NightWood, a sound and light experience that will transform the property into a fantastical winter landscape for the holidays. Inspired by the natural beauty and architecture of The Mount, NightWood will immerse visitors in a series of vignettes designed to evoke elements of fantasy, tradition, and whimsy. The Mount will host a special Opening Night celebration on November 19. Tickets will be $100 and will include timed entry as well as dinner at our one-night only winter pop-up bistro, complete with fire pits, seasonal cocktails, and SoMa Catering’s food truck. More information and tickets at www.EdithWharton.org. $20 adult; $10 kids 6-18; free for children 5 and under

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Events occurring before and after the Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Weekend

Sixth Annual Children’s Holiday Extravaganza
Berkshire Theatre Group

A Day-Long Event Sunday, November 29 from 10am-3pm
Watch on TV/Facebook/YouTube 1pm-3pm
Pick up gift bags in Parking Lot Adjacent to the Colonial Theatre 10am-12:30pm

https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/sixth-annual-childrens-holiday-extravaganza/
The day-long event will feature entertainment, raffles and gift bag giveaways to the first 400 reservations. Gift bags featuring a gift card, treats, A Magic Tree House book and more will be distributed via drive through with a timed ticket starting at 10am-12:30pm and must be reserved in advance of the event. All parties must be present to receive the gift bags and show their e-ticket reservation to attendants. Patrons will remain in their vehicles at all times. Masks must be worn. Bag assembly and distribution will follow strict safety guidelines. Reservations can be made by visiting www.berkshiretheatregroup.org or by calling the BTG Ticket Office at 413-997-4444. There will be a limit of four gift bags per household. The entertainment and raffles will start at 1pm on Sunday, and be featured on Access Pittsfield (Cable Channel 1301, which is available on all cable packages including basic); PCTV Select (our over-the-top live television service, which is available as a channel on Roku and Apple TV, or online at Select.PittsfieldTV.org); via October Facebook Live at www.Facebook.com/PittsfieldTV; or via YouTube at www.Youtube.com/OnlyOnPCTV Raffle prize winners will be announced at the end of the televised performance. All raffle winners will be contacted about pick up of their items. Raffle prizes include bikes, helmets, gift cards and more

Unsilent Night

The Mount

2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, MA

December 9, 2020 | 5:00 pm

Unsilent Night is an original composition by Phil Kline, written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December. It takes the form of a promenade in which the audience becomes the performer, traveling along the grounds of The Mount. More information and registration at www.EdithWharton.org. Free