Holiday Happenings

Through Dec. 31, Berkshire Museum Festival of Trees. The Berkshire Museum comes alive with over 200 exquisitely decorated trees on display throughout the galleries, Pittsfield. Info: 443-7171; www.berkshiremuseum.org. Through Dec. 22, Hayrides Through Look Parks's Winter Wonderland, Fri. and Sat., 5-8 p.m. Rides cost $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Children under two are free. Group rates are also available. Rides last approximately 20 min. Through Jan. 1, Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Displays at Look Park. This program is sponsored by the Look Park Board of Trustees and is dedicated to the spirit, beauty and simplicity of an old-fashioned holiday season. This program is completely donation driven. Through Jan. 1, Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield. Take the family on a trip through toy land, Seuss land, winter woods and the North Pole Village and the all new Jurassic World. This Christmas light spectacular winds its way through 2.5 miles of twinkling lights. Sun.-Thurs. $15/vehicle, hours: 6-9 p.m. Fri, Sat., holidays $18/vehicle, hours: 6-11 p.m. Info: 733-3800; www.brightnights.org. Dec. 3-8, Open House Tours at Storrowton Village. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit the buildings of this re-created 19th Century village on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Free parking. Gift shop open during tour hours. Info: www.thebige.com Dec. 4, First Light Ceremony. The Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St., hosts the traditional First Light Hanukkah Ceremony at 6 p.m. Hanukkah songs, lighting of the giant menorah, latkes and refreshments. Free and open to the public. Dec. 5, Lantern Light Tour of Storrowton Village. From 6 to 8 p.m., the buildings of this re-created 19th Century village will be bathed in the glow of festive candlelight. Storrowton village is located on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Free parking. Gift shop open during tour hours. Info: www.thebige.com Dec. 6, A Christmas Carol, First Congregational Church, Westfield. Performances at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec 6, Joy to the World! Holiday concert. This event features the Western New England Brass Choir conducted by Peter Demos. Free. 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 16 Court St., Westfield. Dec. 6 and 7, The Capitol Steps,WFCR presents the sixth annual appearance of The Capitol Steps at 7:30 p.m. at Chapin Auditorium, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley. The Capitol Steps performances are sponsored by Mount Holyoke College and The Valley Advocate. Proceeds from the performances benefit the programs and services of 88.5FM/WFCR and 640AM/WNNZ. Famous for putting the "mock" in democracy, The Capitol Steps has become an annual area holiday season tradition. For sneak previews, downloads, and links to The Capitol Steps on YouTube and MySpace: www.capsetps.com. The Capitol Steps Home Page. Tickets (general admission): producers circle $50 (which includes premium seating and post-event reception with the cast), orchestra $35, balconies, $30 and $25 are available at the UMass Fine Arts Center box office, 545-2511 or 800-999-UMASS and www.wfcr.org. Dec. 7, 'Tis the Season! Holiday Concert. Richie & Kathie Mitnick present The Rhapsody Singers in concert, 7-9 p.m. at the North Middle School Auditorium, Southampton Rd., Westfield. Tickets: $7/adults; $5 students/seniors, free under 6 years old. Dec. 7 and 8, A Christmas Carol, at 7:30 p.m., with matinee Dec. 8 at 2 p.m., Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court Street. Tickets: $12 adults; $10 students/seniors. Reservations: 572-6838. Presented by The Westfield Theatre Group. Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, "Christmastime Is Here" presented by the Exist Seven Players. This cabaret-style performance about a group of holiday enthusiasts holding their final dress rehearsal for their Christmas show will take place at the Exit Seven Theater, 37 Chestnut St., Ludlow, at 7:30 p.m. There will also be 2 p.m. matinee performances on Dec. 9 and 15. For tickets and more information call the Exit Seven box office at 413-583-4301 or visit www.exit7players.com. Dec. 7-16, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village. Fri., Sat. and Sun., 5-9 p.m. Admission $12 ($10 for OSV members); children under three are free. Experience the magic of a candlelit Village at Christmas time and explore the history of the holiday's traditions. Dec. 7-16, Christmas by Candlelight Holiday Buffet at Old Sturbridge Village, Fri., Sat. and Sun. from 4:30-8 p.m. Adults: $18.95; children ages three to 10, $10.95; free for children under three. Come hungry, then stroll the candlelit Village, or stop in after attending Christmas by Candlelight.either way, the Oliver Wright Tavern promises a memorable centerpiece to the Village's six special evenings in Dec. Dec. 7-23, A Christmas Cabaret, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Monson Memorial Hall, 198 Main St., Monson. The public is invited to this fun and family-friendly event filled with great local talent. The production includes singing, dancing, and comedy. Two one-act plays, "The Little Match Girl" and "The Gift of the Magi" will also be performed. Fri. and Sat. shows begin at 8 p.m.; Sun. matinees are at 2 p.m. A festive dessert table, hot and cold beverages, and hot popcorn, fresh from GRP's "Red Wagon," will be available, Prize drawings will be held at each performance. Advance ticket purchases are recommended. Tickets also at the door. Info: www.greeneroom productions.com or Erin Greene, GRP executive director, at 668-7284. Dec. 8, Fezziwig's Holiday Festival, Craft Fair and Festival of Trees, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Amelia Park Ice Arena and Amelia Park Children's Museum, Westfield. Skating with the Cratchets (1-2:50 p.m., fee), gingerbread cookie decorating workshop, craft market, more! Dec. 8, Happy Holidays concert by the Young Singers of Westfield. Free. 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St., Westfield. Dec. 8, Breakfast with Santa Claus, The Garden House at Look Park. Seatings are 9, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. The buffet will include: breakfast items such as scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, ham, french toast sticks, as well as bagels, yogurts, coffee, juices and milk. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Payment in advance: $7.50 for adults; $5.50 for children. Children under two are free. Dec. 8, Santa Visits the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Laurie N. Festa in concert. Recording artist will perform in free concert at Eastfield Mall, Springfield at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9, The Magic Dreidel, A Chanukah Celebration for the Whole Family, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst. Tickets are $8 adults/$4 children. Reservations are suggested. This exciting performance includes music, masks, storytelling and audience participation as a magic dreidel takes children on a journey through time to learn the story of the Festival of Lights. Children are invited to participate in the production and become the dancing flames of the Chanukah (menorah). For more info call 256-4900; email yiddish@bikher.org or the website: www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Dec. 9, The Royal "Messiah" sing-along with the Festival Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists of Westfield. Conducted by Ted Davidovich at 3 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave., Westfield. Tickets: $10/adults, $5 students/seniors. Dec. 10-24, Santa's Workshop at Look Park, 4-8 p.m. Greeted at the door by Mrs. Claus, come see "Santa's Workshop." Get a great photo with Santa. This program is completely free and offers families the opportunity to take an inside look at a workshop at the North Pole. Christmas Eve, noon-4 p.m. Donations are accepted both at the workshop and as you exit the park. Dec. 12, The Dump Ladies, a musical group will be performing Christmas music at the Florence Church at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Collection for "Toy for Joy" Gazette Toy Fund. For info call the church at 584-1325 or Iris Sawin at 247-9749. Dec. 12, "Four for Christmas: dramatic readings . "A child's Christmas in Wales," "The Gift of the Magi," "A Christmas Memory," and a World War II poem, performed by Robert Lehan and Bob Plasse, 7 p.m. at Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St. Free. Dec. 15, Christmas Tree Sale, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #110 at Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., Florence, 9 a.m. until sold out; $25-$30 per tree. Dec. 15, Art Show and Sale, Phoenix: Artistic Expressions From Our Diversity, 2:30-8:30 p.m., at Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Springfield, next to the Quadrangle. The Mission Phoenix Arts Project is a community of homeless and low income developing artists in the downtown Springfield area. The art show/sale features paintings by project participants as well as live music, crafts for sale, a cafe selling various snacks and beverages and an evening concert beginning at 6 p.m. For more info call 732-7778. Dec. 15, Santa Visits the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Mark Twain Talks! Advice to Humanity! at 7:30, Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court St. Tickets: $12 adults and $10 seniors/students. Tickets on sale at Westfield Athenaeum and at door. For reservations: 562-2277. Award-winning actor Bern Budd brings America's greatest humorist alive in a show that is perfect for the times and the season. Dec. 16, Lira Singers to Perform at Elms College, at 2:30 p.m. For the first time in New England, the internationally acclaimed Lira Singers from the Lira Ensemble, Artist-in-Residence at Loyola University, Chicago, Lucyna Migala. This not-for-profit professional group, the only performing arts company of its kind in the United States specializing in Polish music, song and dance will perform at Elms College. The program: Polish Carols and More will be held at Elms College Veritas Auditorium in Berchmans Hall, second floor, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. General admission tickets are $25 each. An elevator is available. For more info call 734-7052 or 592-0001. Tickets area available at Topor Motor Sales, or send check payable to the Polish Center with a stamped-self-addressed envelope to Polish Center of Discovery and Learning at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee 01013. If time allows, the tickets will be sent in the return envelope. Otherwise, paid tickets will be held at the door. Dec. 16, Here We Come A Wassaling. The Adult Church Choir is joined by the Smith College Bell Choir and the Westfield State College Urban Education Gospel Choir in a 3 p.m. concert at the Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave., Westfield. Free. Dec. 17, "The Great Russian Nutcracker." See the famed Moscow Ballet in a 7:30 p.m. performance at the UMass Fine Arts Center, Amherst. Tickets: Call 413-545-2511 or 1-800-999 UMAS. Dec. 19, Cookies with Santa Claus at Look Park, 4-8 p.m. Included in this event will be a free viewing of the "Winter Wonderland" holiday light displays, Santa's Workshop, hot chocolate, cookies, and milk. Also, hayrides are available leaving from the front of the Garden House for $2 per person. Dec. 20, 6th Annual Solstice Pageant. Presented by Hadley's Hartsbrook School at the Helen Hills Chapel, Northampton, from 7-8:15 p.m. Join the high school students in celebrating the season in song. Info: 413-508-1908 or email highschool@hartsbrook.org. Dec. 21, Colonial Christmas, in the Music in Deerfield Series. Philomel with Julianne Baird, soprano performing their holiday program at the First Church in Deerfield. Tickets in advance are $25 and $30 for adults and $9 for children/undergraduate students. At the door, tickets are $32 for adults and $10, children/undergraduate students. Venues are handicapped accessible. Tickets may be ordered at 774-4200; on the web at www.musicindeerfield.org. Dec. 21, Snowfire: All Hail the Winter Solstice,! 6-7:30 p.m., Amelia Park, Westfield. Caroling, cocoa, cookies and fun during the longest night of the year. Dec. 22, Laurie N. Festa in concert. Recording artist will perform in free concert at Eastfield Mall, Springfield at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 22, The Nutcracker Story. Members of the Academy of Ballet Arts, Hadley, perform a mini-version of this seasonal favorite at 6:30 p.m. at the Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South St., third floor of the Sullivan Building. Tickets are $10/person. Info: 413-584-7327 or www.nohoarts.org Through Dec. 23, Saturdays and Sundays at Ye Olde Santa House, Westfield. $5 photos with the Clauses on Saturdays from 2-6 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m.; also Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m., Amelia Park, Westfield. Dec. 23, "Messiah" Community Sing, presented by the Commonwealth Opera of Western Massachusetts, 7 p.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church, Northampton. Featuring four soloists with orchestra conducted by David Kidwell. The audience is the chorus. Bring your own score. Community string players: call for rehearsal time. Admission: free-will donation to Commonwealth Opera. Bring nonperishable food items for Northampton Survival Center. Info: 586-5026 /www.commonwealthopera.org. Dec 31, First Night Northampton. From noon until midnight. 25th anniversary of this annual celebration begins with a bofo show at noon, continues with a Silver First Night Family Parade with dancers, drummers, and the Maya Apfelbaum giant puppets. Fireworks at 6:15 p.m. Entertainment all evening. Pre-purchase of admission buttons required. Info: www.gazettenet.com/firstnight Dec. 31, First Night Boston. Celebrate New Year's Eve at the largest gathering in North America. Take in the art, theater, dance, ice sculptures and fireworks at venues throughout the city. Info: 617-542-1399; www.firstnight.org. Dec. 31, First Night Worcester, The largest celebration of its kind in central Massachusetts. Festive family activities, concerts, food and more. Fireworks at 7 p.m. and midnight at Lincoln Square, Worcester. Info: 508-799-4909; www.firstnightworcester.org.