Festive Frolic: December 1 – 3
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) will host the Downtown Festive Frolic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 1, 2 and 3. Activities will include the Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, The Grinch at Otto’s, free admission to the Festival of Trees, the Holiday First Fridays Artswalk, Pictures with Santa, a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip, a Festive Frolic LEGO® Drop-in, and a Festive Frolic Holiday Market featuring a Krampus Beer Garden.
Wreath Art Auction to benefit the South Community Food Pantry
Friday, December 1, 5 to 7 pm at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will host its annual Wreath Art Auction to benefit the South Community Food Pantry on Friday, December 1. Dozens of local artists have donated their talent, time, and materials to create one-of-a-kind, original holiday wreaths, centerpieces, kissing balls, and more. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these original works of art will be donated to the South Community Food Pantry. Grab and go wreaths will be available starting at 5 pm, and the top items will be auctioned off at 6:30 pm following the Tree Lighting at Park Square.
There will also be a raffle to win some amazing gifts from local businesses, and all of the proceeds from the event will benefit the South Community Food Pantry which serves over 1000 families a week in Pittsfield.
The Wreath Art Auction is a $10 suggested donation ticketed event with refreshments.
Free Hot Chocolate and Photo Ops with the Grinch
Friday, December 1, 5 to 8 pm at Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort
Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort will be providing free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, December 1!
Stop by before or after the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Park Square at 6 pm presented by Pittsfield Parks & Recreation!
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 1, 6 pm on Park Square
Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the City of Pittsfield’s Recreation Department for this festive holiday tradition! Don’t forget to stop by Otto’s to grab your FREE hot chocolate anytime from 5 to 8 pm that evening, and stick around to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus after the tree is lit!
Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Christian Center’s Food Pantry!
Free Admission to the Festival of Trees!
Friday, December 1, 5 to 8 pm
The Berkshire Museum will offer free admission to the Festival of Trees: Nostalgia on Friday, December 1, 5 to 8 pm. This free event is sponsored by the Museum’s Board of Trustees. See trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.
Holiday First Fridays Artswalk
Friday, December 1, 5 to 8 pm
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield returns on Friday, December 1 from 5 to 8 pm. Participating venues include the Beacon Cinema, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Museum, Clock Tower Artists, Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Marketplace Cafe, NUarts gallery + studios, Soda Chef, TKG Real Estate, and the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.
Holiday Open Studios with the Clock Tower Artists
Friday, December 1, 5 to 8 pm; Saturday, December 2, 11 am to 4 pm
Looking for a unique gift this season, or just want to take a cozy Holiday Art stroll indoors? Join eleven Clock Tower Artists in their converted mill spaces on the First Friday and Saturday of December!
Special guest artist Matthew Brinton will be signing his new book on Saturday afternoon, and the artists will be offering free coffee and sweets.
This free event is open to the public and will feature some new and unusual works including Bruce Laird’s ingenious toy installations; Sally Tiska Rice’s joyful seasonal merchandise; Debrah H. Carter’s inventive, upcycled wearable artwork; Shany Porras’s music-inspired abstracts; Caroline Kelley’s colorful collages and petit paintings; Mark Mellinger’s surprising oils on cardboard; and gorgeous cards featuring Joanie Ciolfi’s photography.
There will also be two special open rehearsals on Friday at 5:30 and 7:30 pm of performance artist, Stephanie Weber’s, “Motherlessship,” an interactive scene-character-movement exploration.
Photos with Santa at The Beacon Cinema
Saturday, December 2, 12 to 3 pm
Saturday’s Festive Frolic Junior events will be headlined by Santa at The Beacon Cinema sponsored by Phoenix Theatres and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. from 12 to 3 pm. All children are welcome to take a free professional photo with Santa which will be made available for download after the event.
Free Kids’ Paint & Sip at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Saturday, December 2, 12 to 3 pm
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Saturday, December 2, 12 to 3 pm, in the auditorium at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street. There will be a bonus painting craft on wooden snowflake ornaments sponsored by St. Stephen’s, and a fun science activity presented by the Flying Cloud Institute.
This free winter-themed Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, snacks, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The auditorium is on the second floor of the parish house, and the entrance is on Allen Street.
Festive Frolic LEGO Drop-in at Bottomless Bricks
Saturday, December 2, 12 to 4 pm
Explore building with LEGO® bricks and take home a festive coloring sheet!
Build a heart and share the joy with LEGO® #BuildToGive
For each heart you build and share on social media, LEGO® will donate a LEGO® set to a child in need of play this holiday season.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this event.
“Santa: My Life & Times” Reading and Giveaway at the Berkshire Athenaeum
Saturday, December 2, 12 to 4 pm
The Berkshire United Way staff will be at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Saturday, December 2, 12 to 4 pm, to read and give away “Santa: My Life & Times”. There will also be buttons and bookmarks to take with you, and some nondenominational books to hand out too.
Holiday Card Making Drop-in at the Berkshire Athenaeum
Saturday, December 2, 10 am to 5 pm
Kids can make holiday cards for nursing home residents as well as holiday cards for them to take home, while supplies last.
Festive Frolic Holiday Market at Hot Plate
Sunday, December 3, 1 to 4 pm
Our Holiday Market has moved INDOORS on Sunday, December 3 from 1 TO 4 PM at Hot Plate Brewing Co. at 1 School Street. (Please note the time change to 1 to 4.)
-Visit with Santa
-Shop Local Vendors
-Enjoy Holiday Music with DJ Pup Daddy
-Entertainment & Photo Ops with Ms. Krampus as played by Opal Raven Cirque
December Bebop with Poppy
Sunday, December 3, 10 am
For Ages 2-6. Admission is $15 (grown ups are free with their child).
Let’s bebop and play together! Recently crowned Majesty of the Berkshires, Poppy DaBubbly will provide opportunities for grown ups and their toddler to explore movement and language skills through dance, creative movement, echo songs, and more.