Weekend Outlook: Jolly Holiday

Check out the activities happening this weekend around the county including many holiday-themed events like Santa meet and greets, and some Christmas tree lightings. Find all the craft fairs and bazaars happening here. 

Editor's Pick

Holly Jolly Holiday
Holiday Brook Farm, Dalton
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the farm for hot chocolate, wreath decorating, kids crafts, animals, wagon rides, and local gifts. Families will also have the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and take a photo.

More information here.

Multiple Days

Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic
Downtown Pittsfield
Friday and Saturday

There will be many holiday-themed events happening, including Pittsfield's tree lighting at Park Square on Friday night. Bring the family to enjoy many events at your favorite local vendors, including photo opportunities with Santa himself.

More information on all of the events here.

Tinseliner Scenic Christmas Train
3 Hoosac St., Adams
Dec, 6,7,13 and 14

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus while enjoying a festive ride on the train featuring holiday music and writing letters to Santa. More information and tickets here.

Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
Dec. 6, 12, 13, 18-23, 26-31

The Mount has decked out its grounds for the annual Nightwood installation with lights and music to provide an immersive experience to its visitors.

More information here.

Festival of Trees
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Every Friday Through Sunday until Dec. 28

The historic Hancock Shaker Village will welcome visitors to gaze at more than 75 trees throughout the museum grounds, culminating in a magical display at the iconic Round Stone Barn.

Tickets are $20. Children 12 and younger are always free. Berkshire Museum and Hancock Shaker Village members are free. More information here. 

Williamstown Holiday Walk
Downtown Williamstown
Friday evening through Sunday

Events include caroling, runway shoes, shopping specials, films, crafts and more, plus the ever-popular Reindog Parade on Saturday afternoon. 

Read our preview here.

Friday

North Adams First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.

This month's theme is to celebrate LumiNAMA. Bring your family and enjoy a free photo with the "Hatchlings" in the Eagle Street Parklet and enjoy free face painting. There will be live music, food, craft night, and more.

More information here.

Holiday Wreath Making
The Plant Connector, North Adams
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Want your own holiday wreath this year? You can either decorate a pre-made wreath or start from scratch. Get into the holiday spirit with a fancy wreath made by you to showcase off your own door or as a perfect gift for someone else. Tickets are $55, all materials included.

More information and tickets here.

Free Hot Chocolate and a Photo Op with The Grinch
Otto's Kitchen and Comfort, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.

After Pittsfield tree lighting, stop by Otto's tp warm up with some hot chocolate and meet the Grinch for a picture.

More information here.

Saturday

Holly Days
Adams Visitor Center
Time: 2:30 to 4:30

Celebrate the holidays with hot chocolate s'mores, and the chance to meet Santa at 3 p.m. There will be various activities for children to enjoy.

More information here.

 

Photos with Santa
Clarksburg Fire Station, Cross Road
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meet Santa and get a professional picture perfect for your holiday cards. Cost is $20; free coffee and hot cocoa. More information here.

Wreath Art Auction

Winter Wonderland at the Library
18 Main St., Lenox
Time: noon to 3 p.m.

The library is hosting family crafts including cookie decorating, button making, snowmen, and more.

More information here.

Donkey Day at the Berkshire Carousel
50 Center St., Pittsfield
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.

Take a free ride on the carousel to celebrate "Missie the Donkey," who is immortalized on the carousel. Missie accompanied local author Kevin O'Hara on his journey across Ireland 50 years ago that was chronicled in his book "Last of the Donkey Pilgrims." O'Hara will be signing books and the Scoil Rince Breifne O Ruairc Dancers will perform at 2. On Sunday, Santa will ride the carousel, also at 2 p.m. 

More information here.

Sunday

Krampus Mummers Ball
283 Cole Ave., Williamstown
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.

Put on a costume and a mask to celebrate the first ever Krampus Ball. This is the time for adults to celebrate, dance and gather around the fire with some cider from the Berkshire Cider Project.

More information here.

Brunch with Santa
Wahconah Country Club, Dalton
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Have brunch with the man in red himself and enjoy professional photos with him before he rides back to the North Pole. You will need to make reservations at Rsvpsantabrunch@gmail.com

Cost is adults $16, children $8; photos are $25. More information here.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.