From:                                   The Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils <info@massartsandculture.com>

Sent:                                    Tuesday, November 25, 2014 10:49 AM

To:                                        Alzapiedi, John (MOTT)

Subject:                                Cultural Road Trip goes Holiday Shopping!

 

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Header Photo Credits

 

Clockwise from top left: The Collings Foundation, Stow; Battleship Cove, credit Nancy Marshall; Blacksmith Art & Music Festival, Fitchburg; Williamstown Dancers, credit Williamstown Cultural District; Cider Hall Farm in Amesbury, credit MOTT    

 

 

December 2014

 

Greetings! Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!

 

Cultural Road Trip: Goes holiday shopping....for handcrafted goods, of course.

QUICK TAKE: Visiting Northampton is a craft-lover's paradise. SHOP: PINCH is an eclectic gallery focusing on art for the home and art to wear. The Artisan Gallery features inspired women's clothing, contemporary American crafts, and jewelry. You'll find handmade jewelry, glass, wood, metal, and ceramics at the Don Muller Gallery. For handcrafted treasures from around the world, check out the Smith College Art Museum Shop. Stop for coffee at Sip Cafe or Woodstar Cafe. Lots more Northampton galleries. EAT & SLEEP: Have dinner downstairs at the Haymarket Cafe; check in at the Fairfield Inn & Suites.

 

Featured Region: Greater Boston

Boston's all dressed up for the holiday season and ready to entertain you! Traditional favorites include Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker and Holiday Pops with sing-a-longs and a visit from St Nick. Irving Berlins' timeless tale of joy and goodwill White Christmas brings holiday cheer to the Wang Center, while Handel's Messiah resonates throughout Symphony HallBlack Nativity captivates audiences of all races, and the playful The Light Princess combines wit and humor, music and movement, to delight both children and their families. And you can create your own art at one of the local outdoor skating rinks, Frog Pond being the most famous. To make the season even brighter and your wallet not much lighter, check out the Mayor's Holiday, half-price tickets & dining deals - all season long!

 Find more information on Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Join us for Christmas on Cape Cod on December 1-31 and create memories that will be cherished for generations! Every town and village puts their special stamp on holiday-inspired events, including Christmas strolls, concerts, holiday fairs, festive parades, harbor lightings and Santa's arrival by boat. Kids will love the Train to Christmas Town aboard Cape Cod Central Railroad! Visit ChristmasonCapeCod.com for holiday events, accommodations packages and to find out how you could win $1,650 in gift cards to "Santa's Helpers" shops, restaurants, spas and attractions! Find more information on Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

During the month of December, families can start their holiday season with a drive through an incredible holiday lighting display at the 20th Anniversary of Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield. On December 13th, A Special Day in Northfield will take place filled with crafts, holiday foods, shopping and artist studios. Tis the season! For more information on these great events and others, visit www.valleyvisitor.com. Find more information on Greater Springfield

 

 

Hampshire County

Be sure to put Easthampton's Cottage Street Cultural District in western Massachusetts on your list for holiday shopping and joy this year! First up December 5-7 & 13th, Cottage Street Studios hosts its annual Open Studios; over 50 artists open their studios to the public. During Gingerbread Weekend December 13-14, select businesses in the Cultural District will offer special discounts, gifts, refreshments and the chance to win a raffle prize worth $350. Find more information on Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

Communities throughout Johnny Appleseed Country are making the season bright with tree-lighting events like Leominster's Winter Stroll on December 6th! In Fitchburg on that Saturday, you can vote for your favorite downtown window display before heading to the Upper Common. The holiday lights go on at Devens on Friday, December 5th. There are parades at Templeton's Jack Frost Festival on December 7th and Ashburnham's celebration on December 5th before the trees are lit. Sip hot cocoa, sing seasonal tunes and get in the holiday spirit in Johnny's backyard! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

A favorite Island tradition for 33 years, Christmas in Edgartown - happening December 12-14 - celebrates the holidays and provides visitors to experience the charm of Edgartown in the winter! Weekend highlights include the Annual Great Chowder Contest, Breakfast with Santa, the Lighting of the Lighthouse at the Harbor View Hotel, the Christmas parade, shopping and sales, and holiday themed events benefiting Island Charities. For more information visit the calendar at MVY.com. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

Holiday sounds and spirit will fill Spring Street in Williamstown on Saturday, December 6th for the 31st Annual Williamstown Holiday Walk! Holiday festivities with traditional New England flair: old-fashioned caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Reindog Parade, a Penny Social & Santa Claus. Kick-off with the ever popular Reindog Parade will begin at 3 p.m. For a schedule of holiday fun, visit williamstownchamber.com or call 413-458-9077. Find more information on the Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

The plentiful woods in MetroWest - even so near the city - are the perfect backdrop to holiday festivals featuring trees! Through December 14, Massachusetts Horticulture Society's Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley hosts the 6th annual Festival of Trees that showcases 75 decorated trees and the entire "snow village" created from miniatures.  More than 5,000 are expected to attend the MetroWest Festival of Trees December 12-14; 100 decorated trees, Santa's Village, miniature trains, and the North Pole Playland are some of the activities filling 47,000 square feet at Marlborough's Royal Plaza Trade Center. Find more information on MetroWest

 

 

Nantucket Island

If you could conjure the quintessential Yuletide experience - cobblestone streets lined with glittering fir trees, strolling carolers in Victorian garb, the scent of wood smoke wafting through a bustling European-Style marketplace, Santa greeting wide-eyed children beside
a glowing hearth - this picture-perfect backdrop is what makes Nantucket's Christmas Stroll weekend a truly enchanting experience! Now in it's 41st year, Christmas Stroll will take place from December 5-7. Join us for holiday craft shows, performances, live music and the Magical Talking Tree! Find more information on Nantucket Island.  

 

 

North of Boston

Get into the merry holiday spirit in the North of Boston region this season! Welcome the holiday season at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate with a Roaring Twenties cocktail party. Explore the homes of Salem dressed-up for the holidays during the 35th Annual Christmas in Salem House Tour. Step into Santa's Bake Shop at Woodman's and enjoy a hands-on cooking demonstration. Don't miss North Shore Music Theatre's annual musical spectacular, "A Christmas Carol!" For more holiday events, visit northofboston.org/holiday. Find more information on North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

The Drawing Room in Marion presents An Artisan Christmas from December 4-24! This curated collection of original, hand crafted fine furnishings and artwork features the works of artisans from Cape Cod to Maine. All artisan work is available for sale, order, or commission. Shop for your loved ones! Featuring works in clay, metal, glass, textiles, wood, stone, concrete, fine art, and mixed media. The Drawing Room is a design showroom within Anthi Frangiadis Associates. Find more information on Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Massachusetts

She Loves Me will be performed at the Black Box Theater in Mansfield from December 5-21! Based on a classic love story by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, this hit musical has seen much iteration, including the 1998 hit romantic comedy You've Got Mail. Directed by Dan Bolton along with Musical Director Danielle Clougher, She Loves Me is the perfect date-night holiday show, whether it's the first of the hundredth. For more info on show times and prices, click here. Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts.

 

 

The Berkshires

Throughout the winter months, there is something for everyone at the Berkshire Botanical Garden! Check out their array of classes, from tree and shrub identification to landscape design and botany for gardeners. Don't miss their Holiday Marketplace on December 6 & 7, where you can have your pick of a wonderful selection of wreaths along with great seasonal crafts and gifts. Find more information on the Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

The American Textile History Museum presents Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol, an extraordinary exhibition of art on fabric with rare pieces, many never before seen on public display, from the masters of modern art, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, and Raoul Dufy. Organized by the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. On view at ATHM now through March 29, 2015. Photo Credit: Salvador Dali, Number Please. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.

 

 

Central Massachusetts

Start your year the right way in Central Massachusetts! This New Years Eve/New Year's Day, experience the first annual Central Massachusetts Antique Show at Sturbridge at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with old friends while enjoying a glass of wine & hors d'oeuvres, as you take a step back in time browsing through hundreds of beautiful pieces from Central Mass history. Check our site for holiday hotel packages in the area. Find more information on Central Massachusetts.

 

 

Franklin County

Enjoy a Special Day in Northfield on Saturday, December 13th on Northfield's Main Street and back roads. This old fashioned holiday celebration includes such fun as free horse-drawn hay rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Victorian Carolers, live music, hands-on gift making & crafts, festive foods and shopping. Featuring "Tree-Lightful," lighted Christmas Trees along Main Street! 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more information on Franklin County. 

 

Regional Tourism Councils  

The Berkshires  Cape Cod  Central Massachusetts  Franklin County  
Greater Boston  Greater Merrimack Valley  Greater Springfield  
Hampshire County  Johnny Appleseed Country  Martha's Vineyard  
MetroWest  Mohawk Trail  Nantucket Island  North of Boston  
Plymouth County  Southeastern Massachusetts  

   

 

 

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