HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

PRIME – December 2013

A season's worth of things to do and see in the Valley … and beyond

We at PRIME are pleased to present this annual listing of holiday events throughout the Pioneer Valley and surrounding regions. We hope you and your family have the opportunity to enjoy the many festivities and celebrations this year! Through Jan. 1, 2014, Winter Wonderland light display at Look Park. A seasonal light display sets the park, located at 300 N. Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton, Mass., aglow from 4 to 9 p.m. daily. Through Jan. 2, 2014, Festival of Trees, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," at the Berkshire Museum. This annual holiday event features 100-plus creatively decorated trees displayed throughout the galleries of the Museum, which is located at 39 South St., Route 7, in Pittsfield, Mass. Admission is $13 for adults; $6 for children younger than 18 years of age. Hours are Mon. to Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. noon to 5 p.m. For more info, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org . Through Jan. 5, 2014, "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." The Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, presents this stroll through a crisp, snowy forest where beautiful holiday scenes seem to come to life in the New England Center Mon. to Thurs. from 3 to 9 p.m. Fri. from 3 to 10 p.m. Sat.from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun.from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, children 10 years of age and younger admitted free. For more info., visit www.thebige.com. Nov. 27 to Jan 3, Bright Nights at Forest Park. Chosen as one of the top 100 destinations in America by the American Bus Association, the annual Bright Nights holiday light display will be open Sun to Thurs. from 5 to 9 p.m., Fri., Sat. and holidays from 5 to 11 p.m. Tickets are just $6 per car on Nov. 27 (no discount coupons accepted this evening), regular admission is $18 per car Sun. to Thurs., $21 per car Fri., Sat and holidays. The display will be closed Dec. 2 and 3. For more info., visit www.brightnights.org . Nov. 29 to Dec. 31, The Magic of Gingerbread. This annual exhibit features amazing creations by local bakeries, schools, adults and kids. Vote for your favorite! Hosted by the Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St, Springfield, Mass., and sponsored by Yankee Candle. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. to Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. For more info visit www.springfieldmuseums.org . Nov. 29 to Dec. 15, Festival of Trees. Come view 100 uniquely decorated trees, visit with Santa, take a chance to win one of the trees, and more! Presented by the Springfield Boys & Girls Club at Tower Square, 1500 Main St., Springfield, on the second floor across from the Cafes. Hours: Wed. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thurs. to Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 11 a. m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for children 12 years of age and younger. Free validated parking in Tower Square garage. Active military personnel and their families admitted free. Proceeds benefit the Springfield Boys & Girls Club. For more info visit www.Visit TreeFest.com . Nov. 29, Holiday Wonderland at the Springfield Museums. This special one-day event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. includes a performance by the Gerwick Puppets at 2 p.m. in the Davis Auditorium, D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts featuring more than 30 whimsical puppets. The Museums are located at 21 Edwards St. Program is free with admission. For more info, visit www.springfieldmuseums.org . Nov. 29, Lighting of the Quadrangle. From 5 to 7 p.m. in the Quadrangle at the Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St. Event features sleigh rides, hot cocoa, and holiday music, plus Santa arrives to set the Quadrangle decorations alight! For more info, visit www.springfieldmuseums.org . Nov. 29, Santa arrives at Amelia Park, Westfield, Mass. Following his 9 a.m. arrival at the park at 29 Broad St., Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus), holds holiday court in the cozy Santa House in his favorite holiday setting on the patio of the Children's Museum. Children can visit with Santa Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon, and then on Saturdays and Sundays in December from 1 to 4 p.m. and Dec. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30, Dickens Days Lanternlight Parade and Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony This annual celebration in the city of Westfield, Mass., begins at 5:30 p.m. and follows a route from Franklin Street down Elm Street to Park Square, where the mayor will light the city's Christmas tree at 6 p.m. The march features musical units, community groups, giant puppets, Dickens Days spirits and of course, dear old Santa Claus. The Youth Chorale of the Full Gospel Church of Westfield will provide music for the tree lighting ceremony. Dec. 2, Chanukah Celebration. The West Springfield 50th Anniversary Family Concert Series hosts a Chanukah Celebration at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Majestic Theater, located at 131 Elm St. Dec 2, "A Christmas Carol" at Storrowton Village. Gerald Charles Dickens – actor, producer and great-great grandson of Charles Dickens – will be performing his captivating rendition of the timeless holiday classic at 7 p.m. in the at Storrowton Village Meetinghouse on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Drive West Springfield, Mass. For more info., visit www.thebige.com/sv/programs/Calendar.asp . Dec. 4, Bright Nights Presents "Dinner With Dickens." Event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, Mass. Guests are greeted by carolers from the grand Victorian era, served a sumptuous buffet dinner and hear Charles Dickens' tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Tickets are $54 per person; does not include Bright Nights tour. For more info, or reservations, call 413-733-3800 or email staff@spiritofspringfield.org . Dec. 4, Community Hanukah Menorah Lighting. The city's mayor honors the Westfield Jewish community with a menorah lighting in the courtyard of the Westfield Athenaeum at 6 p.m. on the last night of Hanukah. Dec. 5, Dickens Day "Royal Music Hall" event at Westfield State University. At 7:30 p.m. on the Denver Stage of Parenzo Hall, the Westfield State University Big Band will perform in a free concert. For more info., visit www.dickensdays.com/royal-music-halls.html . Dec. 5, 26th Annual Caroling on the Green. Meet at the Gazebo on Elm Street in West Springfield, Mass., at 5:45 p.m. to join Master of Ceremonies Bill Davis in this annual holiday songfest. Free songbooks will be provided. Dec. 6, Concert - "Joy to the World." Musicians Judy Handler and Mark Levesque perform traditional and holiday music on the classical guitar and mandolin during this free concert at 7 p.m. at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St., Agawam, Mass. The event is sponsored by the Agawam Cultural Council. Dec. 6, Downtown Springfield Holiday Lighting Ceremony. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., come down to Court Square and watch the city's center park transformed for the holiday season. There will also be a ribbon cutting in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the city's Municipal Buildings, and tours of City and Symphony Halls. Dec. 6, 7, 8, Singing Christmas Tree. Bethany Assembly of God, located at the corner of Rte. 57 and Main Street in Agawam, Mass., presents the 39th performance of its Singing Christmas Tree, in which the Bethany Choir becomes the "ornaments" in a towering steel Christmas tree. Accompanied by the Bethany Orchestra, the group presents a musical tribute to the Birth of Jesus. This year's program is entitled "The Gift of Christmas." Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7 and at 3 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 8. For more info., visit www.bethany-ag.org . Dec. 6,7,8, Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." This adaptation of the holiday classic by director Dick Volker will be performed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, One Porter Road, East Longmeadow, Mass., Dec. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $7 for children six years of age and younger. Call the Church Office at 413-525-6341 to purchase tickets. Dec. 6, 7, 8, The Suffield Players present "Happy Hollandaise". Presented as a staged reading at Mapleton Hall, 1305 Mapleton Avenue, Suffield, Conn., this fundraiser for the group follows the trials and tribulations of Claire Finley. She wants is the perfect Christmas, but her holiday feast is interrupted by burglars, bumps on the head and bedlam! Tickets available at the door; a $10 suggested donation. Performance at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8. for more info., call 860-668-0837 or visit www.suffieldplayers.org . Dec. 6 to 8, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village. On selected evenings in December from 4 to 9 p.m., visitors to Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) can experience the magic of a candlelit New England village while learning about the real history of today's Christmas traditions. Historic interpreters in costume explain the origins of Father Christmas, sugarplums, Yule logs, Christmas trees, mistletoe and more. Guests can ride in a horse-drawn sleigh (snow permitting) or a horse-drawn wagon, sip hot cider, hear stories, see chestnuts roasting by an open fire and enjoy period music, carols and holiday songs. Tickets are $15 per person. For more info, call 800-733-1830 or visit www.osv.org . Old Sturbridge Village is located at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road in Sturbridge, Mass. Dec. 6 to 29, "It's A Wonderful Life," A Live Radio Play at Shakespere & Company. Inspired by Frank Capra's classic 1946 film starring Donna Reed and James Stewart, director Jenna Ware brings audiences back to the Golden Age of radio with this poignant, funny and unique play-within-a-play that will leave you believing in angels. Performances at 7:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble St. in Lenox, Mass. Tickets range from $15 to $50, call the box office at 413-637-3353. For more info., visit the website, www.shakespeare.org . Dec. 7, "Sounds of the Season." The New Valley Singers will celebrate the holidays with music at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St., Agawam, Mass. at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door. Dec. 7, Winter Soiree at Wistariahurst. The Museum, located at 238 Cabot Street in Holyoke, Mass., will be aglow with holiday spirit from 6 to 10 p.m. for this festive event. The evening features live music from Susan Duncan and Keith Cooper of Room for 2, festive hors d'oeuvres from Latitude Restaurant of West Springfield, a cash bar and a raffle for some fabulous prizes. Reservations suggested. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at www.wistariahurst.org or by calling Wistariahurst at 413-322-5660. Dec. 7, Old Post Road Orchestra's "Holiday Spectacular."Nearly 70 musicians from 28 towns come together to perform in a concert for the holiday season at 7:30 p.m. at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, 423 Main St., in Wilbraham, Mass. Dec. 7, Springfield Symphony Orchestra's "Home for the Follidays" Holiday Pops concert. This annual concert, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall, 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield, Mass., begins with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and a chorus line of "Tap-Dancing Santas" and includes the 150 amazing voices of the SSO Chorus and Children's Chorus of Springfield and an audience sing-along. For more info., including ticket prices, call the Box Office at 413-733-2291 or visit www.springfieldsymphony.org . Dec. 7, Santa Visits the Holyoke Merry Go Round. The jolly old elf will stop by the Merry go round, located at 221 appleton St. in Holyoke Mass., from noon to 3:30 p.m. Dec, 7 & 8, Yuletide at Storrowton. This free winter festival will take place at Storrowton Village, on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Mass. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day Tour the Village's 18th and 19th century buildings, seasonally decorated by area garden clubs, florists and decorators, plus enjoy musical performances, storytelling, old-fashioned craft demonstrations ande ice sculpting. Visit the Sweet Shoppe, kids' crafts area, an old-fashioned Santa and much more. Caroling on the Gazebo at 4 p.m., both days. For more info., visit www.thebige.com/sv/programs/Calendar.asp . Dec. 7 to 29, Heritage Holidays at Historic Deerfield. The historic village, located in Deerfield, Mass., hosts a month-long celebration of holiday activities including open hearth cooking and gift-making, both free with admission. Dec. 7 is a celebration of heritage baking, and includes caroling, wagon rides and gingerbread cookie decorating. No events Dec. 24 and 25. For more info. visit the website, www.historic-deerfield.org . Dec. 7, Breakfast with Santa at Look Park. Look Park hosts a delightful buffet breakfast with Santa in the Garden House, with seatings at 9:30 or 11 a.m. Catering by Seth Mias Catering. Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children 2 to 12 years of age. Reservations suggested. Call 413-584-5457. Look Park is located at 300 Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton. For more info., visit www.lookpark.org . Dec. 7, Dickens Dinner. Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield, Mass., hosts this evening featuring dinner and a live, interactive performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 for adults and $18 for children 12 years of age and younger. Reservations required, call 413-562-2277. For more info., visit www.dickensdays.com/dickens-dinners.html . Dec 7 & 8 , 24th Annual Stockbridge "Main Street at Christmas." Come see and shop the streets of a Christmas scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, as the town of Stockbridge, Mass., recreates the famous image. For more info., visit www.stockbridgechamber.org/christmas.html . Dec. 8, "Sounds of the Season." The New Valley Singers will celebrate the holidays with music at the First Church of Hadley, 100 Middle St., Hadley, Mass. at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door. Dec. 8, Old Post Road Orchestra's "Holiday Spectacular." Nearly 70 volunteer musicians from 28 towns come together to perform in a concert for the holiday season at 2 p.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard in Springfield, Mass. Dec 8, Lessons and Carols. St. John's Lutheran Church, 60 Broad St., Westfield, Mass., presents the choral group Schola Nova in concert from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The concert will consist of several readings, each followed by a choral anthem. The audience will be invited to join in singing some well known carols accompanied by organ and brass. A reception will follow. Admission is free. A collection of nonperishable food items will be taken to benefit the Westfield Food Pantry. Dec. 8, Bright Nights Presents "Supper with Santa." Seatings for this kid-friendly buffet are at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. in the Barney Carriage House at Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield Mass. Advance reservations required. Tickets are $15 per person, $8 for children 12 years of age and younger. Does not include Bright Nights tour. For more info, or reservations, call 413-733-3800 or email staff@spiritofspringfield.org . Dec. 8, "Christmas in Killarney." The Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road (Route 5), in Holyoke, Mass., presents a Celtic-themed holiday treat. Take in the sounds of The Healys while you enjoy a traditional Irish buffet, Cost is $35 per person. Event begins at 5 p.m. Call 413-535-5077 to make reservations. Dec. 8, Dickens Days Historic House Tour. This self-guided tour, which begins at the First Congregational Church on Broad Street in Westfield, Mass., returns after a hiatus to showcase some of the city's irreplaceable historic homes. Tickets are $15. Tour hours are noon to 4 p.m. for more info., visit http://www.dickensdays.com/historic-house-tour.html . Dec 10, "Wreaths Across America" event. Join individuals in this ceremony, slated for noon at Stanley Park, 400 Western Ave.,Westfield, Mass., as Wreaths Across America conducts a wreath laying ceremony at the park as part of its Escort to Arlington National Cemetery. The parade will follow a route from the Mass Pike to the park. Individuals interested in assisting with the ceremony should call the Park at 413-568-9312. For more info on the Wreaths Across America program, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org or www. StanleyPark.org . Dec. 10 & 11, Bright Nights Presents "Dinner With Dickens."Event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, Mass. Guests are greeted by carolers from the grand Victorian era, served a sumptuous buffet dinner and hear Charles Dickens' tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Tickets are $54 per person; does not include Bright Nights tour. For more info, or reservations, call 413-733-3800 or email staff@spiritofspringfield.org . Dec. 10 to 14, Yuletide at Storrowton open house tours. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these dates, costumed interpreters will guide visitors through Storrowton Village's 18th and 19th Century buildings, which have been decorated for the holidays. Cost is $5 per person. Reservation required for groups of 10 or more. Storrowton Village is located on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Mass. For reservations call 413-205-5051. For more info., visit www.thebige.com/sv/programs/Calendar.asp . Dec. 11, "Yuletide by Lantern Light" at Storrowton Village. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Storrowton Village, on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Mass. Experience the magic of an old-fashioned winter evening on a self-guided tour of Storrowton's cozy homes and buildings, decorated for the season and illuminated by lanterns and candle light. Old-fashioned craft demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly. Admission is $5 per person. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. For reservations call 413-205-5051. For more info., visit www.www.yourwebsitehere.comthebige.com/sv/programs/Calendar.asp. Dec. 11 to 23, Santa's Trains at Look Park. Step aboard the Look Park Holiday express for a one-mile ride to view more than 50 lighted displays! Trains depart every 20 minutes, beginning at 4:20 p.m. Cost is $5. The Garden House is transformed into a Victorian-era strain station hosting displays of model trains and locomotives surrounded by festive trees an opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Daily from 4 to 8 p.m. Look Park is located at 300 Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton. For more info., call 413-584-5457 or visit www.lookpark.org/general-information/santas-trains.html . Dec. 13, Bright Nights Presents "Supper with Santa." Seatings for this kid-friendly buffet are at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. in the Barney Carriage House at Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield Mass. Advance reservations required. Tickets are $15 per person, $8 for children 12 years of age and younger. Does not include Bright Nights tour. For more info, or reservations, call 413-733-3800 or email staff@spiritofspringfield.org . Dec. 13 to 15, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village. On selected evenings in December from 4 to 9 p.m., visitors to Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) can experience the magic of a candlelit New England village while learning about the real history of today's Christmas traditions. Historic interpreters in costume explain the origins of Father Christmas, sugarplums, Yule logs, Christmas trees, mistletoe and more. Guests can ride in a horse-drawn sleigh (snow permitting) or a horse-drawn wagon, sip hot cider, hear stories, see chestnuts roasting by an open fire and enjoy period music, carols and holiday songs. Tickets are $15 per person. For more info, call 800-733-1830 or visit www.osv.org . Old Sturbridge Village is located at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road in Sturbridge, Mass. Dec. 13, 14, 15, Nutcracker & Sweets at Wistariahurst. The Music Room at the Museum, located at 238 Cabot Street in Holyoke, Mass., is the setting where students of the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet and members of the Ballet Educational Training Association will perform the magical "Nutcracker"story as it may have been in Holyoke in the 1890s. Performances at 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 11:30 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. Reservations required. Tickets are $12.50 per adult, $3.50 for children 8 years of age and younger. For more info., visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 413-322-5660. Dec. 13, 14, 15, Singing Christmas Tree. Bethany Assembly of God, located at the corner of Rte. 57 and Main Street in Agawam, Mass., presents the 39th performance of its Singing Christmas Tree, in which the Bethany Choir becomes the "ornaments" in a towering steel Christmas tree. Accompanied by the Bethany Orchestra, the group presents a musical tribute to the Birth of Jesus. This year's program is entitled "The Gift of Christmas." Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 and at 3 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 15. For more info., visit www.bethany-ag.org . Dec. 14 to 22, Santa's House at Mittineague Park. Santa arrives at Mittineague park, off Rout 20 in West Springfield, Mass. at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. Children can visit him through Dec. 23 at the following times: Mon. to Fri. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the West Springfield Parks & Recreation Department. Dec. 14, Old Post Road Orchestra's "Holiday Spectacular." Nearly 70 volunteer musicians from 28 towns come together to perform in a concert for the holiday season at 8 p.m. at the Melha Shrine Center, 133 Longhill St. in Springfield, Mass. Dec. 14, Breakfast with Santa. Tower Square, 1500 Main St., downtown Springfield, Mass., hosts this pancake breakfast in the second floor Citywalk cafes from 9 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a festive morning with Santa, face painters, a holiday magician and the Tanglewood Marionettes's performance of The Fairy Circus. Includes free admission to the Springfield Boys & Girls Club's Festival of Trees. Tickets are $10 per person, with children age 2 years and younger admitted free. Reservations required; forms under the December heading on the Events section at http://visittowersquare.com/events/calendar/breakfastwithsanta5/ . for more info., call 413-733-2171. Dec. 14, The Nutcracker. The Albany Berkshire Ballet (ABB) will bring its annual touring production of "The Nutcracker" to Symphony Hall, 1350 Main St., downtown Springfield, Mass. Performances at 1:30 at 4:30 p.m. will spotlight area dance students alongside the ABB professional company. Tickets are $22, $36, $39. For more info., call the Box Office at 413-788-7033 or visit www.symphonyhall.com . Dec. 14, Dickens Days "Winterfest" concert. This concert, slated for 2 p.m. on the Denver Stage of Parenzo Hall of Westfield Sate University features the Westfield State University Big Band, the Young Singers of Greater Westfield and other community groups. Suggested donation is $5 to benefit the volunteers in Public Schools and Denver Stage. For more info, visit www.dickensdays.com/royal-music-halls.html. Dec. 14 to 29, Berkshire Theatre Group presents "A Christmas Carol." This adaptation by former StageWest director Eric Hill at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Mass., is an annual favorite. For more info., call 413-997-4444 or visit www.berkshiretheatregroup.org . Dec. 15, Christmas at the Armory in World War II. The Springfield Armory National Historic Site, located on the grounds of Springfield Technical Community College, 1 Armory St., welcomes the public to a 1:30 p.m. presentation at the Museum highlighting how Christmas was celebrated at the Armory during WWII, followed by a ranger-led tour of the Commanding Officer's House, including light refreshments, and recorded period music. Admission is free. For more info., call 413-734-8551 or visit www.nps.gov/spar . Dec. 15, Bright Nights Presents "Dinner With Dickens." Event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, Mass. Guests are greeted by carolers from the grand Victorian era, served a sumptuous buffet dinner and hear Charles Dickens' tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Tickets are $54 per person; doe not include Bright Nights tour. For more info, or reservations, call 413-733-3800 or email staff@spiritofspringfield.org. Dec. 18, Dickens Dinner. Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield, Mass., hosts this evening featuring dinner and a live, interactive performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 for adults and $18 for children 12 years of age and younger. Reservations required, call 413-562-2277. for more info., visit www.dickensdays.com/dickens-dinners.html . Dec. 20 to 22, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village. On selected evenings in December from 4 to 9 p.m., visitors to Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) can experience the magic of a candlelit New England village while learning about the real history of today's Christmas traditions. Historic interpreters in costume explain the origins of Father Christmas, sugarplums, Yule logs, Christmas trees, mistletoe and more. Guests can ride in a horse-drawn sleigh (snow permitting) or a horse-drawn wagon, sip hot cider, hear stories, see chestnuts roasting by an open fire and enjoy period music, carols and holiday songs. Tickets are $15 per person. For more info, call 800-733-1830 or visit www.osv.org . Old Sturbridge Village is located at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road in Sturbridge, Mass. Dec. 24, Santa's Trains at Look Park. Today this popular exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! The Garden House is transformed into a Victorian-era train station hosting displays of model trains and locomotives surrounded by festive trees an opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Look Park is located at 300 Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton. For more info., call 413-584-5457 or visit www.lookpark.org/general-information/santas-trains.html . Dec. 31: 17th Annual First Night Jr. Celebration at Holyoke Heritage State Park. This fun filled celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes admission to the Children's Museum and VolleyBall Hall of Fame, unlimited rides on the Merry-Go-Round, magic shows, balloon sculptures, musical performers and more! Tickets, available at the Merry Go Round or Children's Museum, are $6 in advance. For more info., call the Merry-Go-Round at 413-538-9838 or the Children's Museum at 413-536-7048 Dec. 31, First Night Northampton. The 29th annual celebration to ring in the New Year, featuring 12 hours of family-friendly entertainment in 22 downtown venues, early-evening fireworks and a midnight ball-raising at the Hotel Northampton. To pre-purchase admission buttons, or for more info., visit www.firstnightnorthampton.org