Area abounds with December's holiday cheer

From Dickens Days to Bright Nights and beyond, there are plenty of events to enjoy this month Editor's Note: Once again, PRIME has worked hard to bring you, our readers a listing of holiday events to ensure you make the most of the holiday season. Enjoy! Nov. 25- Jan 2, Bright Nights at Forest Park. The regions premiere holiday lighting display! Days : Wed.- Sun. only Nov. 25- Dec. 6; Nightly Dec. 9 - Jan 2. Hours: Sun. to Thurs. 5- 9 p.m., Fri., Sat., and Holidays , 5- 11 p.m. Tickets: cars, mini-vans, trucks & motor homes: (Price per vehicle) Mon. -Thurs. $15; Fri. - Sun. and Holidays $18. For more information visit the Bright Nights Web site at www.brightnights.org. Nov. 27, Monadnock Music's Annual Christmas Fair. Monadnock Music's 33rd Annual Christmas Fair is on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are just $3. Christmas Fair is at South Meadow School, 108 Hancock Road (Route 202N), Peterborough, NH. Over 50 artisans and exhibitors displaying and selling handcrafted items. Our cafe features all-time favorites. Gift Basket Raffle, silent auction, and a frozen foodery. Fair benefits our Manadnock Music summer concerts. For more info, call (603) 924-3423 or visit www.monadnockmusic.org. Nov. 27 Santa's Arrival by Helicopter at Westfield's "Dickens Days", 10 a.m., Amelia Park, 21 South Broad St., free. Nov. 27-Dec. 13, Springfeild Boys & Girsl Club 8th Annual Festival of Trees at Tower Square, Downtown Springfield. Hours: Wed. 11 a.m.- 3p.m., Thurs.- Sat. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., sun. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission: adults: $5, seniors: $4, Children under 12: free. Business Days: Dec. 2 & 9 : Free admission with business card from 11a.m. - 3 p.m. Daily prize raffle at the end of each Business Day! Currently active military personnel and their families admitted free throughout the Festival. For entertainment schedule visit the Festival Web site at www.visittreefest.com. Nov. 27, - Jan. 1, 2010, Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Displays at Look Park, Northampton. Nov. 25 & 26 walking tours only, thereafter nightly 4pm - 9pm . This program is completely donation driven. In order for the park to continue to provide this wonderful program to the city, we rely on the voluntary donations that drivers provide. Nov. 27-Jan. 4, Holiday Sea of Trees. Mystic Aquarium, Holiday Sea of Trees, Nov. 27- Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 'Tis the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly- and more than 20 Christmas trees! The magic takes place from Nov. 27 to Jan. 4 on the main exhibit floor, where the trees' lights reflect off the exhibits' glass to make days merry and bright. Cost: free with aquarium admission. Nov. 28, Santa Visits. The YMCA of Greater Westfield has learned that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making their initial visit to Westfield on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. to have a pancake and sausage breakfast and visit any and all children who want to come by. The YMCA will provide breakfast free for children under the age of 5. Children ages 5 to 12 are only $5 and anyone over the age of 12 will be $7. In addition to talking with Santa, children can have their photograph taken as a keepsake for only $3. All proceeds go to the YMCA's Partners with Youth fund. For more information, please call Michelle Anamisis at the YMCA at 568-8631 ext. 306. Nov. 30 Dickens Days Lanternlight Parade to Mayor's Green Lighting Ceremony. Festivities on Westfield Green begin at 6 p.m. Caroling with WHS Concert Choir; parade kick-off at 6:15 p.m. Greenlighting at 6:30 p.m., free The Santa House with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 6:30 (Greenlighting) - 8 p.m., Westfield Green ($5 photos to benefit WOW), free Dec. 1-25, New Old Sturbridge Village 12 Nights of Christmas. Old Sturbridge Village will change its winder schedule this season and will expand its evening Christmas by Candlelight program to 12 Nights of Christmas. Details of the change are avilable online at www.osv.org and by calling 1-800-SEE-1830. From Dec. 1-25, the Village will be closed during the day but will open 4-9 p.m. each Thurs.-Sun. for its 12 Nights of Christmas on the evenings of Dec. 3-6; Dec. 10-13, and Dec. 17-20. Evening admission is $14 per person; $12 for OSV members, childre under 3 are free. For details and tickets; www.osv.org. Through Dec. 30, "A Christmas Carol" at Hartford Stage. 12th annual production of this holiday classic. Ghosts soar over the audience and snow falls on Victorian London in a classic Christmas tale sure to delight every member of your family. Box Office: (860) 527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org hartfordstage.orgfor more information. Dec. 3, Boston's Official Tree Lighting Ceremony. The City of Boston at the Boston Common. The tree will be installed in its usual place near the Boston Common Visitors Center on Tremont Street. For more information about this event, call Harron Ellenson at (617) 267-7366. Dec. 4-6, Christmas Belles. A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep, and a reluctant Elvis impersonator. The show will be directed by Robert Lunde. Christmas Belles performance dates are Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. For more info and directions to Mapleton Hall, visit www.suffieldplayers.org www.suffieldplayers.org. Dec. 5, Christmas on the Green. Come on, come all to First Church of Christ in Longmeadow's Annual Christmas Fair, "Christmas on the Green." This year's fair is on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. First Church of Christ is located at the corner of Williams and Longmeadow Streets in Longmeadow. Check out our Silent Auction, Gifts from Afar, Children's Corner, Christmas Shoppe, the always popular Book Nook and so much more. Stop by for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or visit with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Musicians will be playing your favorite Christmas music. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Pyers at 567-8764. Dec. 5, Breakfast with Santa. On Dec. 5 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at the Authorino Great Hall. Santa is traveling direct from the North Pole to the Bushnell! This magical morning includes a delicious breakfast, crafts and more. Christmas lists accepted! Tickets are $19.50 for children and $24.50 for adults. There will be two sessions, 8:30-10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Dec. 5, The first annual Dickens Village Stroll in Westfield's Downtown District 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (map of day's activities available at Athenaeum) Highlights include: Fezziwig's Holiday Faire, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield Athenaeum, free; the Santa House with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Westfield Green, free ($5 photos available to benefit WOW); Dec. 5, Carriage rides through Merry Olde Westfield 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in front of Athenaeum; Ebenezer's Attic Sale, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Queen Victoria's Royal Honors Celebration in Westfield, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 115 Elm St., free Dec. 5, "Amahl and the Night Visitors," WSC Music Department, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State College. Dec. 5- Jan. 3, A Goodspeed Christmas. Come celebrate Christmas at the Opera House! Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is thrilled to announce the return of last year's hit musical production Jim Henson's Emmet Otter. Emmet Otter will run Dec. 5 through Jan. 3, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. Special performances will be on Christmas Eve at 12 p.m., New Year's Eve at 12 p.m., and New Year's Day at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $39 for children under 12 and $49-$59 for adults. A limited number of $26 Second Row Side Mezzanine (restricted view) seats are available for each performance. For more info, call the Box Office at (860) 873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org. Also, a special Breakfast with Santa package including Brunch at the Gelston House is available for Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 24 at 10 a.m. before the noon performance. Dec. 6, Breakfast with Santa. St. Michael's K of C #9960 & St. Michael's Family Life Committee welcomes you to join them at their 6th annual Breakfast with Santa Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults are $5, children (5-12) are $3, and children (4 and under) are free. Pictures with Santa and Arts & Crafts will be available. Bring in a letter for Santa and be sure to include your name and address. Accepting non-perishable food donations for the Open Pantry. Dec. 6, Brunch with Santa. There will be a Brunch with Santa at the Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village on Dec. 6, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20. $18.95 per person, $16.95 for seniors (ages 65 and up), $6 for children 10 and under, and children under 3 are free. Visit Santa and enjoy Sunday brunch in the Oliver Wight Tavern at the threshold of the village. Reservations are recommended. Dec. 8, Tiny Tim's Holiday Tea, 10 a.m., Boys' & Girls' Library, Westfield Antheneum (ages 3 - 5). Registration required; call 562-6158 ext 5. Free. Dec. 10, Yuletide at Storrowton Trip. In December, Storrowton Village will be all spruced up for the holiday season. Visit the Village Museums, Gift Shop, Christmas Shop, and 19th century buildings with the Longmeadow Adult Center on Thurs., Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. Then enjoy lunch off the menu at Storrowton Tavern. $7 includes the tour and van transportation. A sample luncheon menu is available in the office at 231 Maple Rd. Call 565-4150 for more info or to register. Dec. 10, Nightmare Before A Christmas Carol. Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. 'Tis the season for some old-fashioned debauchery! Party with the ghosts of A Christmas Carol on our spooky London set. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Dec. 10, Martha Cratchit's Holiday Tea, 10 a.m., Boys' & Girls' Library, Westfield Antheneum (ages 3 - 5). Registration required: 562-6158 ext 5. Free Dec. 11, Hartford Symphony Holiday Pops! Spectacular. On Fri., Dec. 11 at 8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket prices are $32.50- $72.50, $12.50 with a student I.D. Tickets are available in person Monday thrugh Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Ticket Services in Hartford, by calling (860) 244-2999 or online 24/7 at www.hartfordsymphony.orgwww.hartfordsymphony.org. Dec. 11- 24 Santa's Workshop at Look Park, Northampton. 4 8 p.m. Greeted at the door by Mrs. Claus, come see "Santa's Workshop." As you enter you will see elves making toys take this opportunity to 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 12 - 4pm) Free. *Donations are accepted both at the workshop and as you exit the park Hayrides are also offered starting at the workshop for $2 per person, Hayrides run Fri and Saturday only info: www.lookpark.org. Dec. 12, Santa VisitsThe Holyoke Merry Go Round. Santa visits with children on Sat., Dec. 12 and Sat., Dec. 19 at the Holyoke Merry Go-Round at Heritage State Park. Santa visits from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each of those days. Bring your camera. More information can be found at www.holyokemerrygoround.org. Dec. 12, Santa Saturdays at the Hartford Stage. Saturday Dec. 12 at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. (start time is approximate depending on the runtime of the matinee performance) Hartford Stage salutes the holiday season with Santa Saturday celebration! Stay after the matinee performance to have pictures taken with Santa on the set. Admission is free. Don't have tickets yet? Buy your tickets now for Dec. 12 or Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Dec. 12, Pioneer Valley Symphony's Holiday Magic. The Pioneer Valley Symphony will present its annual holiday concert at Greenfield High School Auditorium. "Holiday Magic" features the Amherst Ballet Theatre Company under the direction of Catherine Fair performing dances from the Nutcracker, scenes from the new ballet Emily of Amherst, and a complete ballet to Chopin's Les Sylphides. The concert will also feature traditional Christmas and Hanukkah music plus works by Corelli and Vaughan Williams. Dec. 11, The Royal "Messiah" Sing-along with Festival Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists 7:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall Westfield State College, 577 Western Ave., free. Dec. 13, Hartford Stage: Behind the Music of A Christmas Carol. Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m. The Hartford Stage Production staff hosts a behind-the-scenes look at all the amazing special effects that make ghosts soar through the air, snow fall and bring our beloved production of A Christmas Carol to life! General admission is $10. Special "Magic" Offer: With the purchase of a matinee ticket, adult admission is $5, children under 12 are free. Call the box office at (860) 527-5151 to receive the discount. Dec. 13, A Kenny G Holiday. On Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. the world famous saxophonist, Kenny G, will take to the Bushnell's Mortensen Hall stage for a very special evening of holiday music. Tickets for A Kenny G Holiday are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford or by calling (860) 987-5900. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.bushnell.org. Ticket prices start at $35. Ticket prices do not include all applicable fees. Dec. 15-20, An Evening with Garrison Keillor. Garrison Keillor, host of NPR's A Prairie Home Companion and acclaimed author, returns to the Bushnell on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Mortensen Hall. Tickets starting at $25. Dec. 15-20, Christmas with The Rat Pack-Live at the Sands. At Mortensen Hall. Beat the winter blues with the holiday version of The Rat Pack Live at the Sands, especially created to heat things up for the coolest kind of holiday cheer. Drift back to a glamorous era with Frank, Sammy & Dean, a live 15-piece big band and the fabulous Burelli Sisters. Enjoy the songs they made famous, like "Fly Me To The Moon," "The Lady Is A Tramp," "Mr. Bojangles," "That's Amore," along with seasonal favorites like "Merry Little Christmas," "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells" and more. Tickets starting at $15. Dec. 16 Cookies with Santa Claus at Look Park, Northampton. 4 - 8 p.m. in Santa's Workshop at the Garden House. Join us at the Garden House at Look Park for our special event honoring the elementary school's of Northampton. We've moved Santa's Workshop up to the Garden House for one night. 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 Visitor Center which are included in the costs of your admission for this night only! Info: www.lookpark.orgwww.lookpark.org. Dec. 17, The Dickens Dinner: "A Christmas Carol." Dinner with between-courses version of Dickens' classic, 6:30 p.m., 29 School St. Bistro, $35. Reservations: 562-2277. Tickets at www.tix.com, Westfield Athenaeum and School Street Bistro. Dec. 19-20, The Nutmeg Ballet's Nutcracker. At the Belding Theater. Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts/Nutmeg Ballet brings Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker back to the Bushnell, delighting audiences young and old. Tickets starting a $27.50. Tickets for all of these events are on sale now and can be purchased by visitng The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford or by calling (860) 987-5900. Dec. 20, 'Christmas Carol' Character Brunch. At Hartford Stage, Sunday Dec. 20 at 12 p.m. Join Scrooge, the Cratchits, and all your favorite characters from A Christmas Carol for brunch at the Pond House Cafe. Breakfast price is $14 for children and $18 for adults (matinee tickets not included) Dec. 31, First Night Northampton. First Night Northampton celebrates its 25th anniversary on Thurs. Dec. 31. Fireworks for the whole family to see start at 6:15 p.m. After that, return to a program of music, dancing, and merriment until the cannons fire from the courthouse lawn a 30 minutes before midnight, signaling us to father at the Hotel Northampton and greet the official arrival of 2010. Buttons for admission to the event go on sale at a variety of locations throughout the Valley, and online, in early December. Dec. 31, First Night Jr. Celebration, Holyoke. Holyoke celebrates its 13th annual First Night Jr. Celebration on Thurs., Dec. 31 at the Holyoke Merry Go-Round at Heritage State Park. Open from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. More info can be found at www.holyokemerrygoround.org.