Ready or Not, the Holidays Are Here!

There are several events that happen each year that we look forward to. One is a Martinmas Celebration hosted by good friends of ours from Ashfield, MA a couple of weekends ago. Martinmas is a celebration that has elements found in both American Halloween and Thanksgiving traditions, named after St. Martin, the patron saint of beggars, drunkards and outcasts. He was known for his gentleness and hospitality, and his ability to bring warmth and light to those who were previously in darkness..

Every year family friends are invited to make lanterns in the barns while sharing food, singing songs and toasting marshmallows around a bonfire. Kids make lanterns by coating the outside of glass Ball jars with colorful tissue paper and decorating them with ribbons for a twilight parade down through the fields. For the parade, families follow a path lit with luminaries, holding their glowing candle lanterns, singing traditional (and not so traditional) Martinmas Lantern Songs. It’s always a magical and memorable event.

KIDS-MADE HOLIDAY BAZAAR & THE GORGE APRES GORGE

This holiday weekend there are two more yearly events that we look forward to, the Shelburne Falls Moonlight Magic Celebration and the Gorge Apres Gorge. This year we’re especially excited about the Moonlight Magic Celebration because our daughter will be participating in the Kids-Made Holiday Bazaar happening at the Children’s Art Museum (same building as the Trolley Museum) between 3:30pm – 5:30pm. Come by and take a look at what the kids made and are selling. If you’re kids would like to participate as vendors, click here for an application. Hope to see you at both events!

THIS WEEK’S LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS IS SPONSORED BY:

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• Become a Sponsor

To find out how you or your business can help support Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor, drop us an email or give us a call at 413-961-9367 for more information. We’re offering very reasonable rates throughout the holiday season. By having individuals in our community and area businesses become sponsors, Hilltown Families can continue to offer a weekly list of suggested events, a weekly podcast, updated resources, articles and much more.

• Submit an Event

If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com. Comments are warmly welcomed!

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Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Friday 11/23

11am-4pm – SCHOOL VACATION FUN – The Springfield Museum in Springfield, MA, is hosting AbraKIDabra: A Magical Day. Go on a scavenger hunt, design a magician’s hat, make a magical craft, watch strolling magicians perform trick, watch a magic show at 2pm, and more. 413.263.6800 [Families] ($/borrow a museum pass from your local library)

Noon-4pm – KIDS CRAFTS – Made-by-Hand Holiday Gift Workshop will be held at the History Workshop at Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA. Families can make presents that they can give for the holidays. 775.7214 [Families] (Included with general admission, $)

3:30pm-5:30pm – KIDS-MADE HOLIDAY BAZAAR – Hilltown Families (that’s us!) and CAM will be hosting a Kids-Made Holiday Bazaar at the Children’s Art Museum (same buiding as the Trolley Museum) in Shelburne Falls, MA. Drop by and take a look at what the kids made and support their experience with cottage industry. 625.6826 [Families] (Free/$)

4:30pm-9:30am – HOLIDAY CELEBRATION – The village of Shelburne Falls, MA, will be holding their town-wide Moonlight Magic Celebration. Click here for details. [Families] (Free,$)

Saturday 11/24

8am – FAMILY RADIO – While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. [All ages] (Free)

11am-4pm – LOCAL HISTORY – Take the family to Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, and visit with members of the Society of the 17th Century, and get a taste of what English and Colonial life was like during the time of the first Thanksgiving. There will be open hearth cooking and storytelling. 775.7214 [Families] (Included with general admission, $)

Noon-4pm – KIDS CRAFTS – Made-by-Hand Holiday Gift Workshop will be held at the History Workshop at Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA. Families can make presents that they can give for the holidays. 775.7214 [Families] (Included with general admission, $)

Noon-1:30pm – FAMILY CONCERT – Our very own Pop Rockets will be performing two sets at Santa’s Arrival Celebration at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA. [Families] (Free)

10am-1pm – KIDS CRAFTS – Holiday weekend workshops for kids will be held at Create Art Studio in the Eastworks Building in Easthampton, MA, every Saturday & Sunday from now until 12/23. Drop-ins welcomed. 455.4707 [Ages 5-13] ($$)

1pm-4pm – HOLIDAY FUN – The Springfield Museums will be hosting Winter Wishes, a family day of activities in Springfield, MA. There will be a musical performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band (1-2pm), craft activities, appearances with the Grinch, and more. 413.263.6800 [Families] (Activities included with general admission/$)

1pm-3pm – KIDS CRAFTS – This Saturday and the next two you can make your own felted holiday ornaments at Twin Hearts in Pittsfield, MA. 499-0021 [Ages 5 & up] ($$)

2:30pm-4pm – FAMILY CONCERT – Our very own Pop Rockets will be performing two sets at Santa’s Arrival Celebration at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA. [Families] (Free)

7pm – HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES – On the lawn in front of the Grange Hall in Williamsburg, MA, join local families for the annual tree lighting and caroling on the green. Refreshments will be provided. [Families] (Free)

Sunday 11/25

10am – OUTDOOR FAMILY EVENT – The 4th Annual Gorge apres Gorge walk/run will be happening at the Chesterfield Gorge in West Chesterfield, MA. A family event. Click here for more details. [Families] (Free)

Noon-3pm – KIDS CRAFTS – Holiday weekend workshops for kids will be held at Create Art Studio in the Eastworks Building in Easthampton, MA, every Saturday & Sunday from now until 12/23. Drop-ins welcomed. 455.4707 [Ages 5-13] ($$)

Noon-1:30pm – FAMILY CONCERT – Our very own Pop Rockets will be performing two sets at Santa’s Arrival Celebration at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA. [Families] (Free)

2:30pm-4pm – FAMILY CONCERT – Our very own Pop Rockets will be performing two sets at Santa’s Arrival Celebration at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA. [Families] (Free)

Tuesday 11/27

1pm & 2pm – PARENT EXERCISE – Community Walking Program in the Hilltowns, organized by the Hilltown Community Health Centers. Every Tuesday (weather permitting) meet at Russell Conway School Parking lot in Worthington, MA. Beginner start at 1pm & experienced walkers start at 2pm. Call to register. 413.667.2204 [Parents] (Free)

4pm & 5:30pm- READING & WRITING – Readers & Writers club at the Lilly Library in Florence, MA. Click here for more info. [Kids must be able to read & write] (Free)

4pm – KIDS’ JAM – Join Hilltown Music Together director Lui Collins in a new music and movement for “big kids” at the Belding Memorial Library in Ashfield, MA. Two different time slots are available. Classes run through 12/11. Scholarship aid is available. Open to home schoolers and other family groups. 413.628.0197 [Ages 5-6+] ($$)

5pm – HILLTOWN FAMILIES PIZZA NIGHT – Treat your kids to pizza at Country Pie in Ashfield, MA, with other families from the Hilltown Families Listserv. 413.296.0096 [Families] ($)

7pm – FAMILY RADIO – Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. [Families] (Free)

Wednesday 11/28

9pm – PARENT COFFEE BREAK – After dropping the kids off at school or their homeschool program, drop into Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA. Not only do they have great coffee, they have a fantastic breakfast menu too. Connect with other parents. If you’d rather do some work, bring your laptop (they have wireless!) and let them bring you coffee! To find out what’s happen over at Elmer’s, read Notes from Nan, a weekly update posted here on Hilltown Families. [Parents] ($/Free)

7pm – LOCAL FOOD – Come find out what the River Valley Natural Foods Co-op is about during their orientation night at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, MA (next to the Lilly Library). Learn about it’s history, how it will work, when it will open and all about their green building design. Bring your kids and meet other families that are members or interested in learning more. Share with your kids the importance of a food co-op. [Families] (Free)

Thursday 11/29

5:30pm – READ TO DOGS – The Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA, will be resuming their special program Reading to Dogs. Animals are ideal nonjudgemental reading companions that are less intimidating than peers. Children sign up for 20minute slots. All dogs are registered therapy pets. 413.268.7472 [Ages 6 & up] (Free)

Open till 8pm – LOCAL LIBRARY – Did you know the Meekins Library in Williamburg, MA, stays open until 8pm every Thursday? A great thing to have as the winter months approach. Take the kids in their PJ’s and spend time at the library before bed time reading stories or getting help with homework. [Everyone] (Free)

Friday 11/30

11am-12:50pm – HOME SCHOOL ICE SKATING – Mullins Center at the University of MA in Amherst, MA, is starting up a Home School (Ice) Skates. Ice skate rentals are free and accompanying parents are free. The Mullins Cafe will be open serving coffee and assorted foods. [Ages 5 & up] (>$)

TBA – FAMILY CONCERT – The Pop Rockets will be performing during the 2nd Annual Festival of Trees at the Yankee Candle Fitness Center in South Deerfield, MA. [Families] (Free)

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

6:30pm-7:30pm – SCIENCE – Mad Science Adventure Lab will be offering a evening exploration of Electricity! Kids will have a hands-on learning experience about electricity, its properties and its role in natural phenomena. Northampton, MA. 584.7243 [Ages 5-11] ($)

Anyday – Anytime

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