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Clockwise from top left: Cranberry harvest; Hancock Shaker Village; Mayflower II/Plimoth Plantation; Christian Scott, Mass Jazz/Berklee College of Music; D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield

  

 

 

November 2017

 

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!

 

Good Company and Good Fun

November is one of those feel good months where we start to see families and friends coming together more often. And nothing goes better with good company than good fun - an easy match given the rich season of events in Massachusetts. Thanksgiving festivities take center stage, especially America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration in Plymouth (tradition since 1621!). Major sporting events are full of swing, too, with the Pats, Celtics, and Bruins flexing their skills to crowds of cheering fans. Highlights also include film and art festivals, open studios, and awe-inspiring light displays. For more on this month's activities and ideas for embracing the fall, visit massvacation.com/fallfun.

For more on what to see + do in Massachusetts, visit massvacation.com

 

 

Featured Region: Hampshire County

Wrap up your holiday shopping on the Artsy side of western MA! Choose from a collection of art treasures at Snow Farm, in Williamsburg, at the Annual Seconds Sale, weekends starting November 10th. Visit 50+ artists' studios on November 11th at Northampton's 25th Anniversary Open Studios and Holiday Sale for unique gifts that delight heart and home. Two more holiday shopping must-dos: Northampton's Bag Day on November 18th and Easthampton's Cottage Street Open Studio Holiday Sales , December 1, 2, 3 and 9. Find more events and information for Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

The holidays are just around the corner - and there's no better place to find everything you'll need for your holiday celebrations than Johnny Appleseed Country! Fill your Thanksgiving table with the region's bounty from local farms and stands, like Hollis Hills Farm in Fitchburg or at the Harvest Festival at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston. Find perfect gifts for family and friends at the Country Roads shops, home-town craft fairs, and local antiques stores - or even at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center! Find more events and information for Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

The Vineyard Artisans Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Festival
will be November 24 & 25 from 10 am to 4 pm. Spend a cozy weekend on Martha's Vineyard and enjoy a spectacular holiday art show by Island artists! Find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, including winter hand-made sweaters, hand-made soaps, Island lavender, photography, painting, books, and fine crafts, including leather and vintage material bags, wood butcher block cutting boards, and so much more.  To plan your perfect Vineyard getaway, visit MVY.com. Find more events and information for Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

Holiday sounds and spirit will fill Spring Street in Williamstown on Saturday, December 2nd for the 34th 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, and much more. Kick-off with the ever popular Reindog Parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. For a schedule of holiday fun, visit williamstownchamber.com or call 413-458-9077. Find more events and information for The Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

Calling all lovers of fine art, elegant jewelry, and world-class craftsmanship! Paradise City Arts Festival is one of the nation's most finely curated exhibitions of high-end craftwork and artistry. Featuring 175 established and burgeoning exhibitors, Paradise City showcases handcrafted jewelry, master woodwork, and much more. So whether you're an art lover, an interior designer, or simply the owner of a discerning eye and irrefutable taste, don't miss Paradise City at Marlborough's Royal Plaza from November 17-19. Find more events and information for MetroWest.

 

 

Nantucket Island

The holiday season is here! Get in the spirit and join the NHA's Festival of Wreaths. On November 22, 24, 25 and 26, bid in the silent auction of the Whaling Museum's display of wreaths crafted by local artisans! Also on November 24th, the Chamber's Annual Tree lighting will be held on Main Street to illuminate the community decorated trees. There will be caroling by the high school's select choir. Find more events and information for Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

On November 2nd, don't miss Thompson Square performing at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury! The duo of Keifer and Shawna Thompson are a force to be reckoned with in the modern day country music landscape. On Saturday, November 4th come to the Crane Estate Art Show and Sale. The show - themed Nature's Wisdom - explores all kinds of natural wonders in paint, ink, photo and sculpture. Find more events and information for North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

Catch An Evening with Cher, Billy Joel, Bette Midler & Barbra Streisand at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts in Plymouth on November 11-12. Here is your chance to see legendary superstars re-created by Las Vegas' #1 impersonators! Featured will be Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand and others - hosted by The Edwards Twins. Saturday show is at 8 pm, Sunday show is at 2 pm. Find more events and information for Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks! presents SCAPES: Placemaking in the 21st Century, on display now through March 11, 2018! The exciting exhibit features contemporary painters, photographers, digital media artists and sculptors. Artists today are flipping the Modernist focus on the sublimity of nature to a postmodern exploration of internal landscapes, housed in the individual and cultivated, not only by what is seen en plein air,  but also experienced socially, culturally and emotionally. Find more events and information for Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

Come and get festive with us in the Berkshires at Greylock WORKS in North Adams, a newly renovated historic mill! Discover a new annual holiday market called FESTIVE, which will be the perfect spot to start your holiday shopping. FESTIVE celebrates the magic of the Berkshires, with opportunities to shop the highest quality artisans, food crafters, and farmers. Much more than just great shopping, FESTIVE includes indie-music and spoken word performances, aerial adventure, demonstrations, and individual stories of the regional maker economy. Find more events and information for The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

Lexington Symphony's Annual Holiday Pops: Kick off the holiday season with family and friends on Friday, December 1st with this annual musical tradition! Celebrate the sounds of the season with Lexington Symphony and special guests New World Chorale. at Cary Hall in Lexington. Two performances:  Kids POPS at 4 pm and Evening POPS at 7:30 pm. Tickets always sell fast for this holiday tradition.  Tickets available at the door day of performance until sold out. Order early to guarantee your seats at lexingtonsymphony.org! Find more events and information for Greater Merrimack Valley. 

 

 

Central Massachusetts

Begin your holiday celebrations in Central Mass with food, festivals, and performances! Sample tastings and Wormtown brews at Something's Brewing in Worcester on November 6th at the Hanover Theatre. Christmas traditions begin shortly after as The Worcester Center for Crafts brings 60+ fine craft artists and their work to the Holiday Festival of Crafts on November 24-26, and Vaillancourt Folk Art presents the one-man performance of A Christmas Carol with Gerald Charles Dickens that same weekend! Find more events and information for Central Massachusetts.

 

 

Franklin County

'Tis the season...the apple season! The 23rd Annual CiderDays in Franklin County will be held November 3-5. Enjoy cider, hard or sweet...we have lots of both! Workshops in Shelburne Falls, two Cider Salons at Berkshire East, Harvest Dinner at Warfield House and Orchard Tours throughout the area. Also enjoy cooking demos, tastings and pairings. Some events are ticketed, others free. Buy tickets now at CiderDays.com or call 413-773-5463. Find more events and information for Franklin County.

 

 

Greater Boston

From November 1-December 30, Greater Boston celebrates an eight-week Holiday Festival, when over 125 theater, dance, music, comedy and family performances - with thousands of half-priced tickets - are made available! Seasonal favorites include traditional and contemporary Nutcracker ballets, A Celtic Christmas Sojourn, Handel's' Messiah, Christmas Revels, The Black Nativity, Holiday Pops and more! Discounted dining deals and many free festivities are also part of this holiday gift. Tree and menorah lightings, BLINK! at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Holiday Strolls and of course the beloved First Night (& now First Day) all contribute to what makes the holiday season in Boston so memorable. Give the gift that won't be re-gifted by purchasing discounted tickets at MayorsHoliday.com or at ArtsBoston booths at Copley Square and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Find more events and information for Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Start the holiday celebration with Sandwich Glass Museum's 8th Annual Glassblowers' Christmas! From November 13-December 30, hundreds of unique glass ornaments handcrafted by some of the region's finest artists will adorn the trees. The Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown on November 22md is a Cape Cod holiday tradition, and the spectacular Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich will wow you Fridays through Sundays from November 24-December 17 (also Dec. 22, 29 and 30). Find these festive events and more at ChristmasonCapeCod.com. Find more events and information for Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons will be held Friday, November 24 at 11 am! Come watch as massive balloons float overhead, and enjoy bands, motorized contingents and much more the day after Thanksgiving in downtown Springfield. See the 75-foot inflatable Cat in the Hat, Wintery Strawberry Shortcake, Daniel the Tiger, Butterscotch the Elf, Honey Bee. Park at Tower Square and get a great spot for parade viewing. After the parade, come back in to enjoy all of the fun free family entertainment lined up for you at Tower Square's Holiday Open House! Click here for more information. For other great holiday ideas in Western Mass visit ExploreWesternMass.com. Find more events and information for Greater Springfield.

 

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