*Please note: because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there may be changes to in-person events listed here. Please check with the event before heading out to participate.
Visit www.westfieldonweekends.com to get the interactive map showing locations of all the Westfield homes decked out in their holiday finery! This light show offers homeowners a chance to win prizes for their decorating creativity, and everyone else a chance to take a ride and get a little holiday spirit. Happy holidays!
The annual holiday lighting display will be open this year daily, 4:45-8:45 p.m., to comply with Gov. Baker’s coronavirus curfew hours. Tickets, $23 per car, must be purchased in advance at brightnights.org. Discounted tickets, $16.50 per car, available at Big Y with Silver Savings Card. *Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the gift shop, kiddie rides, horse drawn carriage rides and other activities will not be available in 2020. Forest Park is located on Sumner Ave. in Springfield, MA.
As part of Westfield On Weekends DecemberFest, a variety of holiday-themed programming - including recordings of the Mayor’s 2018 and 2019 tree lightings, concerts by the Westfield High Show Choir and Band, and two original musicals performed by the Westfield Theater Group, will be broadcast through Westfield’s community radio and public access television stations during the month. A schedule of the programming will be published in the Westfield News and on the WOW Facebook and website pages. Some recordings will also be available to view through YouTube under DecemberFest during the month.
This holiday light show returns to help brighten 2020, with some changes. No rides will be operational; timed tickets must be purchased in advance, masks and all other COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Seasonal snacks will be available in the park. Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights only, 5 -9 p.m. Free to season pass and members, all others $19.99 per adult, $11.99 for kids 48” in height and under. More info and tickets: https://www.sixflags.com/newengland/events/holiday-in-the-park-lights
This 28-room, 19th century summer “cottage” that once belonged to J.P. Morgan’s sister, will be dressed for the holidays and available for in-person viewing by appointment. The house is located at 104 Walker St., Lenox, MA, and is open Thurs.-Tues. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays). Self-guided tours are by reservation at 11 a.m, 12:30 and 2 p.m., with masks and social distancing required. Reservations are taken by phone only at (413) 637-3206. $18 adults, $17 for seniors (65 and over), $10 for students (ages 18 – 23) with student ID, $7 for children 5-17 years. Members free. www.GildedAge.org
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9 p.m., take an enclosed trolley ride through the festive “Tunnel of Lights.” A decorated open trolley car is also available; dress warm and bring blankets. The museum’s Visitor’s Center will also be decked out in holiday cheer, and will be selling beautiful holiday centerpieces this year. Pre-purchase of timed tickets required for trolley, and masks must be worn at all times. Museum open through Dec. 30. Info/tickets: www.ct-trolley.org. The Connecticut Trolley Museum is located at 58 North Road (Rt. 140) in East Windsor, CT.
Westfield On Weekends (WOW) presents this popular holiday tree viewing event virtually and in person in the lobby of the new Reminder Publishing offices, Roots Athletic Center at 181 Root Rd., Westfield. See 25 beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, and purchase raffle tickets to take a chance on winning your favorite tree and all its decorations! Raffle ticket purchase and submission is only online in 2020, visit westfieldonweekends.com to buy your raffle tickets to help support WOW’s programming.
Enjoy the iconic holiday lighting display that winds through Springfield’s Forest Park at a special discount tonight! Limited number of tickets available, must be purchased ahead of time at www.brightnights.com and are good for this evening only. Tuesday hours: 4:45-8:45 p.m. *Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the gift shop, kiddie rides, horse drawn carriage rides and other activities will not be available in 2020. Forest Park is located on Sumner Avenue in Springfield, MA.
Also Dec. 11-13. Bethany Assembly of God, 580 Main St., Agawam, MA. presents a safe, narrated, drive-through Christmas experience with displays, characters, carolers and thousands of lights, as well as live scenes, sharing a message of hope and faith for the holiday season. Free, free-will offering accepted to help support church’s work building schools in Latin America. Hours: Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 5-6 from 5-8 p.m.
Also Dec. 11-13, 18-20, 23 and 27-30. From 3 to 8 p.m., guests can experience Christmas traditions such as wreath and ornament making, tin punch lantern making, skate and sled making, and more crafts, all outdoors. Stroll the Christmas Tree Trail, visit the Christmas Wish Bridge and take a ride on the horse-drawn carryall and enjoy the bonfire. $22 for Adults and $11 for Youth (Ages 4-17); Children under 4 are admitted for free. Timed entry required and COVID-19 safety protocols observed. For info and ticket purchase visit www.osv.org/event/christmas-by-candlelight-2020/#tickets
An online video featuring highlights of over 30 years of these iconic celebrations, which recreate Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “Home For Christmas”. This video will be available through Dec. 31, and is free.
For info and a link visit https://stockbridgechamber.org/visit/stockbridge-main-street-at-christmas-clone/
This annual event, which benefits the Boys & Girls Club of West Springfield, will take place virtually this year! Two viewing options: make a $20 donation to receive the video link (or a DVD on request) of this year’s tour to view any time during the day on Dec. 5, or make a reservation to be part of the Watch Party and gourmet meal at the Storrowton Village Carriage House. Three Watch party timings: 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. Call Sara at 413-736-1831 for Watch Party tickets (only 25 people per viewing) or to request a link to view the tour.
An eventbrite ticket and unwrapped toy is your admission to this free, outdoor photo event with the Grinch and Whos from Whoville. Masks and social distancing required. Photo hours are noon-4 p.m. Pete’s Sweets is located at 32 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow. Eventbrite tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/petes-sweets-grinchmas-tickets-128277161443?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Dec. 7 - Polish Christmas Customs and Traditions - A Virtual Class. Join Polish Folk artist Susan Urban for an online presentation of Christmas customs and traditions celebrated in Poland from Advent (Dec.1) through Jan 6 (3 Kings Day). Springfield Museums School-sponsored class runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom; registration required. Cost: $15 members; $18 non-members. Visit https://springfieldmuseums.org/program/polish-christmas-customs-traditions/ to register.
Your second chance this season to enjoy the iconic holiday lighting display that winds through Springfield’s Forest Park at a special discount!
Limited number of tickets available; must be purchased ahead of time at www.brightnights.com and are good for this evening only. Tuesday hours: 4:45-8:45 p.m. *Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the gift shop, kiddie rides, horse drawn carriage rides and other activities will not be available in 2020. Forest Park is located on Sumner Avenue in Springfield, MA.
At 5:30 p.m., with the Springfield Jewish Community Center, celebrate the light and miracle of the first night of Hanukkah. Join the JCC for virtual community candle lighting and singing as the Springfield JCC "livestreams" the lighting of the largest outdoor menorah in Western Massachusetts. Visit springfieldjcc.org for more details on this first and subsequent menorah lighting ceremonies.
Join the Springfield Jewish Community Center virtually at 7 p.m. on this third night of Hanukkah for Havdalah, menorah lighting and a festive concert with musician Deborah Sacks Mintz, a leading voice in the Jewish music soundscape. Free and open to the community. Call 413-739-4715 or email info@springfieldjcc.org in advance for information on how to register for the concert and obtain a Zoom link.
On this weekend the Connecticut Trolley Museum will hosts rides in a specially decorated trolley car where children can visit with Santa, distantly, an Elf will read a special holiday story and each child can create a holiday craft. Pre-purchase of timed tickets required for trolley, and masks must be worn at all times. Info/tickets: www.ct-trolley.org. The Connecticut Trolley Museum is located at 58 North Rd., (Rt. 140) in East Windsor, CT.
The Agawam Public Library hosts this online trivia night using the Kahoot trivia app and Zoom.
Registration begins Dec. 1 on the Agawam Library events calendar, visit www.agawamlibrary.org and click on the events tab. Participants are encouraged to wear their ugly holiday apparel!
From 10 a.m. to noon, join Polish Folk artist Susan Urban for step-by-step instructions to make a Polish straw ornament sculpture using household materials. Participants will complete their ornament during this online class. Materials needed will include paper or plastic straws, scissors, needle and thread, tissue paper
or copy paper. Presented by the Springfield Museums School. Cost: $15 members, $18 non-members. To register visit: https://springfieldmuseums.org/program/polish-christmas-straw-ornament-workshop/
The Agawam cultural council presents a special rebroadcast of Dan Kane & Friends 2019 Holiday concert, originally performed at the Agawam Senior Center on Dec. 6, 2019. Viewing begins at 7 p.m. on Agawam’s public access Channel 15. You can also see the concert by pushing the “watch” button on www.agawammedia.tv or, for those who live out of town, by emailing Bob Kadis at r.kadis@comcast.net to get a link to the performance.
Full details of this event for the iconic victory Theater, located at 81-89 Suffolk St., Holyoke, which were not available at press time, visit https://mifafestival.org/victory-theatre/
The annual pageant, produced by the members of Springfield MA’s Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Ave., plans to go virtual this year, releasing a different online video highlighting songs, scenes, backstage moments and more of the Boar’s Head Festival over the first 12 nights of January.
For more information, and a preview video, visit https://www.trinityspringfield.org/boars-head-2021/twelve-days-of-boars-head/
