Festive Frolic in Downtown Pittsfield

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) will host the Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7. Activities on Friday include the City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, free Hot Chocolate and Photo Ops with the Grinch at Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, free admission to the Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum (12/7, 5:30-8pm), and the Wreath Art Auction. Activities on Saturday include a European Holiday Market, the Berkshire Holiday Bazaar, Photo Ops with Santa, a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip, and other free kids’ activities as part of the Festive Frolic Junior.

 

The City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, December 6 starting at 6 pm. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the City of Pittsfield’s Recreation Department for this festive holiday tradition. Stick around to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus after the tree is lit.

 

Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, 95 East Street, will be providing free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, December 6.

 

Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will host their annual Wreath Art Auction to benefit the South Community Food Pantry on Friday, December 6. Talented local artists have graciously donated their talent, time, and hearts to create beautiful holiday wreaths, centerpieces, and much more that will be sold and auctioned off to benefit the South Community Food Pantry. This year, there will also be a raffle to get a chance to win some amazing gifts. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the South Community Food Pantry which serves 1200 families a week in Pittsfield.

 

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 Ceremony at Park Square. $10 suggested donation at the door.

 

The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, will offer free admission to the “Festival of Trees: Aquatica” on Friday, December 6 from 5:30 to 8 pm as part of the Festive Frolic. This year’s theme is all about the sea, river, and wetland critters that we know and love. See trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.

 

Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, will host an all-ages free photo frame decorating drop-in on Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8 pm.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a European Holiday Market on Saturday, December 7, 12 to 3 pm, in the Lowest Level of the Beacon Cinema/ Kinnell-Kresge Building. Enter from McKay Street. Free parking in the McKay Street Parking Lots/Garage.

 

Vendors include Baked Pastries & More, Birdseye Woodcrafts, Holmes Candle Co., Maria Ortiz, MasonAiry Craft Co., Mountain Girl Farm, Inc, and xtwii. Shop baked goods, handmade earrings, hand-crafted goat milk soap, small batch candles, fine custom wood cutting boards, crystals and original artwork, and pre-Columbian art and jewelry.

 

There will be a Holiday Bazaar hosted by Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral on Saturday, December 7, 11 am to 5 pm, at The Holiday Inn & Suites, 1 West Street, featuring about 50 local vendors selling an array of holiday gifts, plus special events including a DIY Candle Class with Berkshire Candle; 20-minute sessions with Psychic Medium, Jenna Reid; and caricatures with artist Matt Bernson. Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral will be sponsoring free caricatures for the first two hours of the event. Stay up to date with event details at www.thistlenthornfloral.com.

 

On Saturday, December 7, 1 to 5 pm, the Clock Tower Artists will host a Tinsel and Bling Holiday Art Opening at the Clock Tower Business Center, 75 South Church Street, featuring a festive showcase of unique local art. Discover a dazzling variety of works, including watercolors, oil paintings, abstract art, paint pouring, sculptures, and even one-of-a-kind repurposed clothing. You’ll also find small works of art perfect for gift-giving. Meet the artists, find distinctive holiday treasures, and enjoy light refreshments.

 

Artists include Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Mollie Kellogg, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Jordan Stone, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson.

 

The Festive Frolic Junior sponsored by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm will feature a variety of free kids’ activities including Photo Ops with Santa, a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip, Free Drop-In Art Making at Berkshire Art Center, and much more.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Saturday, December 7, 12 to 2:30 pm, in the auditorium at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street. There will also be a bonus painting craft on wooden ornaments sponsored by St. Stephen’s.

 

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.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host Photo Ops with Santa on Saturday, December 7, 12 to 3 pm, in the Lowest Level of the Beacon Cinema/ Kinnell-Kresge Building. Enter from McKay Street. Free parking in the McKay Street Parking Lots/Garage.

 

Santa will be welcoming children and families to visit with him and take photos. Please bring your own camera or cell phone to capture your own photos of this special moment. There will not be a photographer on site.

 

Join Berkshire Art Center for a Free Drop-In Art Making event at their Brothership Building location, 141 North Street, as part of the Festive Frolic Junior on Saturday, December 7, from 12 to 3 pm. A BAC Faculty Artist will be leading a creative snowflake wall hanging project, appropriate for a multigenerational audience — art for all! Attendees can enjoy unguided, drop-in participation. A Faculty Artist will be circulating tables offering encouragement, answering questions, and assisting hands-on.

 

The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, will host a Holiday Card Making Drop-in on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm in the Children’s Library. Kids can make holiday cards for nursing home residents as well as holiday cards for them to take home, while supplies last.

 

The Berkshire Athenaeum in partnership with the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) will also present a free Oral History Event on Saturday, December 7 from 10 am to 2 pm.

 

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, the Berkshire Athenaeum and BCHS will collect and record stories of grandparents and grandchildren. Billy Budd was discovered and published by Herman Melville’s granddaughter, Eleanor, who shared a special relationship with her grandfather. Together with partners from the Housatonic Heritage Oral History Center at Berkshire Community College, the Athenaeum and BCHS will create a story scavenger hunt for children and their families, which will include tasty treats and art projects. All participants will receive a copy of their recorded stories.

 

Pre-registration is not required. This program is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

 

The Berkshire Athenaeum’s Adult Services Department will host a Festive Bookmark Making Drop-in for Adults on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm in the Blake Room on the main floor back by the Reference Desk.

 

Peace Train Tees, 2 South Street, will host a free “Create your own star ornament” drop-in event on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm. Coloring sheets with special markers will be provided, and finished designs will be used to create a completed ornament. The child’s design will be on the front, with the event name and year on the back to look back on for years to come. This event is free and best suited for ages 4 to 12. Parent participation is encouraged, and refreshments will be provided.

 

Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, 146 North Street, will host a free “Build your own Cotton Ball Snowman” drop-in activity on Saturday, December 7 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

 

Nene’s Deco, 144 South Street, will host a free “Balloon twist for beginners” class on Saturday, December 7 from 1 to 2 pm.

 

The Plant Connector, 46 West Street, will host a free holiday pot decorating drop-in on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm and will offer kids’ mini winter-themed terrariums for $12.

 

Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, will host an all-ages free photo frame decorating drop-in on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s Where’s Winston? Scavenger Hunt will kick off on Saturday, December 7, at 10 am. To play, go to the Children’s Library at the Berkshire Athenaeum to pick up your Game Card. Then go to the locations on the Game Card, find the Winston posters, and write down the words. Bring your Game Card back to the Children’s Library to claim your prizes. The Where’s Winston? Scavenger Hunt will run through Friday, January 3, 2025, while supplies last. See full game details at downtownpittsfield.com.