Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) will host the Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6. Activities will include the City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, Free Hot Chocolate and Photo Ops with The Grinch at Otto’s, The Berkshire Bazaar hosted by Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral at The Holiday Inn, Photo Ops with Santa, A Free Kids’ Paint & Sip, The City of Pittsfield’s Wreath Art Auction at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, and much more.

 

The City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, December 5 starting at 6 pm. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the City of Pittsfield’s Recreation Department for this festive holiday tradition. The Pittsfield High School Chorus will perform a variety of carols around 5:45 pm before the ceremony begins, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive following the tree lighting. Lipton Market will be providing free hot chocolate and coffee in Park Square during the event.

 

Those planning to attend the ceremony are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Christian Center’s food pantry.

 

Artists Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey will be creating holiday-themed ice sculptures in Park Square beginning at 5 pm. Their live ice sculpting will continue throughout the evening for attendees to watch, subject to favorable weather conditions.

Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, 95 East Street, will be providing free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, December 5.

 

The Festive Frolic continues Saturday, December 6, with The Berkshire Bazaar hosted by Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral at The Holiday Inn, 1 West Street, from 11 am to 4 pm. Shop handmade goods and thoughtful gifts from dozens of local makers, artists, and small businesses.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Saturday, December 6, 12:30 to 3 pm, in the auditorium at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street.

 

This free holiday-themed Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, snacks, and juice will be provided. Children will be provided with a small canvas and wooden ornament for painting. The Berkshire Museum will be joining in on the fun with a free yarn snowflake ornament craft.

 

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 also host Photo Ops with Santa on Saturday, December 6, 12:30 to 3 pm, outside in Dunham Mall at 100 North Street.

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.

 

Hand Crafted, 26 Dunham Mall, will be handing out free hot chocolate and cider to all in attendance, and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will be handing out free Winston Ornaments while supplies last.

 

Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) invites you to help support the Elf Children’s Warm Clothing Program by bringing a NEW winter coat or pair of boots to Dunham Mall for a child in need. If you do, you’ll earn an entry into a raffle to win a luxurious one-night stay at Hotel on North. BCAC will also be giving away free cookies to all. The raffle drawing will be at 3 pm, and you do not need to be present to win.

 

Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, will present free live music in their taproom from 1 to 3 pm featuring JJ Slater, a song-singer, guitar-picker, and storyteller from the swampy side of New England.

 

The Berkshire Carousel at 50 Center Street will celebrate the Festive Frolic with Donkey Day on Saturday, December 6 from 12 to 5 pm. There will be free rides in celebration of Missy the Donkey sponsored by author Kevin O’ Hara. Kevin will introduce his latest book, and there will be a special dance performance.

 

SOLARIUM Plant Shop, 46 West Street, invites children to drop-in to make free dried floral ornaments from 12:30 to 3 pm on Saturday, December 6.

 

Indie Readery and Records, 314 North Street, and Drag Story Hour Berkshires will present a holiday-themed Drag Story Hour with Sativo Green from 1 to 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 6.

 

The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s Public Library, 1 Wendell Avenue, will offer free drop-in activities for all ages from 12:30 to 3 pm on Saturday, December 6. The Children’s Library will host a fun winter craft, the Young Adult Department will offer a button-making craft, and there will be festive bookmark making for adults and teens in the Blake Room.

 

This year, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will host its 11th annual Wreath Art Auction to benefit the Pittsfield Community Food Pantry on a SATURDAY. Join the Office of Cultural Development for this holiday tradition on Saturday, December 6 from 4 to 6 pm. Grab and go wreaths will be available starting at 4 pm, and the top items will be auctioned off at 5:30 pm.

 

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. 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 Pittsfield Community Food Pantry which serves over 1200 families a week in Pittsfield. $10 suggested donation at the door.

 

The Albany Berkshire Ballet (ABB) is bringing back its Annual Tour of the holiday classic The Nutcracker to The Colonial Theatre on Friday, December 5; Saturday, December 6; and Sunday, December 7. Choreographed by ABB’s Artistic Director Madeline Cantarella Culpo, the production features lavish sets and scenery designed by Stockbridge native and renowned theater and movie set designer Carl Sprague, as well as costumes designed by Sam Meredith. In this performance, young local dance students will share the stage with professional ABB dancers, portraying special children’s roles. This year’s company includes international dancers as well as dancers from around the United States. For tickets, visit berkshiretheatregroup.org.

 

For more information on the Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.