Hilltown Families 
Weekly Suggested Events for December 12-18, 2020
Home < Weekly Suggested Events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: December 12-18, 2020
LEARNING RESOURCES
FAMILY MUSIC. Hilltown Family Variety Show
LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides
PLACE-BASED LEARNING. Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts
CLASSES. Western MA Class Directory
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables
COMMERCIAL-FREE. DIY Holiday Gifts
INTERGENERATIONAL. Board Games
MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness Through the Seasons
PEDAGOGY. Integrating Permaculture with Community-Based Education
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. Fresh Ways to Engage Toddlers in Creative Free-Play
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. Fairy Houses
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. Play Ideas for Family & Community
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont is an independent day school for grades 6-12. Join faculty, students, and admission staff on December 10th or 13th for robust, one-hour, virtual Information Sessions. The Academy is excited to welcome prospective families to hear about their one-of-a-kind educational experience, complete with rigorous courses, diverse electives, personalized college counseling, a spacious campus located along the Deerfield River, and a safe and inclusive community. Generous financial aid and daily round-trip bus service from Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns are available. Learn more and register here.
FEATURED HOLIDAY EVENT
Join the Pioneer Valley Symphony on Saturday, December 12 at 7pm for its 2020 Virtual Holiday Concert on Zoom. During this festive and family-friendly annual tradition, participants will sing and play along to holiday classics, hear fond memories from PVS ensemble members, and enjoy beloved Christmas and Hanukkah music together. The interactive program will feature compilations from the PVS Orchestra and Youth Orchestra and the world premiere of the ‘Winter Wonderland’ Virtual Choir Project. Tickets are $15 and available on the PVS website. Free passes to all PVS programs are available through a partnership with over 25 local libraries. Contact your local library for details. For more information email admin@pvso.org.
FEATURED VIRTUAL MUSIC LESSONS
This holiday season, surprise the music lover on your list with virtual music lessons. For a limited time, Community Music School of Springfield gift packages feature buy-4-lessons get-1-free pricing! Choose a Trial Lesson Package for someone who wants to get a feel for high-quality music lessons using CMSS’s state-of-the-art virtual platform. Or new this year, if your loved one is ready to commit to ongoing lessons, you can LOCK IN discounted pricing for the rest of the school year (this translates to 4 free lessons, and payment plans are available). Perhaps you have a little one at home this year – Enroll in any Prelude Preschool of the Arts remote programming in Nov or Dec and get a host of add-ons for free! Visit CMSS online to learn more.
FEATURED LOCAL TOY STORE
A2Z Science & Learning Toy Store has unique gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list! Find fun jigsaw puzzles for adults, science kits for kids, games for the whole family, baby & toddler toys, and just fun & cool stuff you won’t find anywhere else! Shop in-store or online with their full inventory range. (Over 8,000 products!) They offer curbside pickup, local delivery, and shipping anywhere in the USA! Find them at 57 King Street in Northampton, MA, or online at A2ZScience.com!
STAY IN THE HILLTOWNS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Built in 1832 as a hotel, Deer Hill House is the perfect place to stay overnight while visiting family and friends in western Massachusetts! Deer Hill House is now four separate apartments under one roof, located on a quiet country road along the Westfield River, with Deer Hill behind the house, and a large open yard. Private, sunlit, one-bedroom apartments on the first and second floor, complete with full kitchens, and baths, are ideal for a writing retreat or a comfortable home base for your adventures. Located in Cummington, MA, Deer Hill House is less than 10 minutes from Notchview, and 30 minutes from Northampton, Pittsfield, and MassMoCa. Check out the first-floor apartment or search Deer Hill House on Airbnb.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
The Common School in Amherst, MA. Children only get one preschool experience. Experience The Common School. The Common School, serving children ages 3-12 years, has two preschool classrooms for children ages 3-5 years. These classrooms provide strong student/teacher ratios, a diverse and inclusive community, opportunities for experiential learning, a stellar social and emotional curriculum, environmental awareness, play based learning, significant time spent outdoors and many resources, such as an extensive library, music and movement class. Prospective families are invited to meet their teachers and tour their newly renovated facilities, including outdoor learning spaces for extended time outside. Preschool. Ages 3-12yrs. For more information: 413-256-8989; www.commonschool.org.
SEE YOUR AD HERE
Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.
Class Directory
Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Legends of the Berkshires
ART STUDIES. 9am. Painting with Scissors
LANGUAGE ARTS. 9am. Sense of Place Creative Writing
LITERACY. 9am. Storytime with Santa & Elf
STEM. 10am. Family Science (In-Person)
NATURE-BASED. 10am. First Child in the Woods Infant/Toddler Walk
SANTA. 10am. Santa Visits the Museum
SANTA. 10am. Drive-By with Santa and Mrs. Claus
PASTRY ARTS. 10:30am. Baking: Science for Hungry People
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 11am. The Amalfi Coast: Live Italy Tour
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 12pm. Christmas in Iceland: Online Walking Tour
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 1pm. How Racism Hurts People of Color and Everyone
AUTISM. 1:30pm. Families with Kids on the Autism Spectrum
FOLKLORE. 2:30pm. The Folklore of Herbs
PASTRY ARTS. 3pm. Gingerbread Build at Home
MUSIC STUDIES. 3pm. Sweet Honey in the Rock
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5-9pm. Light Up the Franklin Cty. Fairgrounds
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. . 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Holiday Concert
HANUKKAH. 7pm. Community Celebration of Hanukkah
MUSIC STUDIES. 7:30pm. New Asia Chamber Music Society
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. TORCHED! & THE RED ROSE
MUSIC STUDIES. 8pm. A Celtic Family Christmas at Home
Self-Directed Learning:
KITCHEN SCIENCE
PASTRY ARTS
Sat., 12 @ 10:30am
Baking: Science for Hungry People
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Legends of the Berkshires
SANTA. 8am. Breakfast with Santa
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 1pm. Invocation to James Baldwin
PASTRY ARTS. 1pm. Holiday Cookie Fundraiser
LANGUAGE ARTS. 3pm. Holiday Reading at Meekins
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5-9pm. Light Up the Franklin Cty. Fairgrounds
ART STUDIES. 7pm. A Virtual Celebration of Animation. Email to register: dmemlib@gmail.com.
ASTRONOMY. Night. Geminids Meteor Shower Peak Night
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
FILM STUDIES. 10am. The Making of Miracle on 34th Street
INTERGENERATIONAL. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones
CRAFTS. 11am. Make your own Christmas toys
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Self-guided tour of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
ORNITHOLOGY 9am. Neotropic Birding Adventures: Galapagos Islands
CULINARY ARTS. 10am. What’s Cooking Cookbook Club
FIBER ART. 12:30pm. Knitting with Northampton Wools
LITERACY. 2pm. Snowy StoryWalk
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
MUSIC STUDIES. 5:30pm. West African & Caribbean Drum and Song Class
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Leverett Library’s Zoom Strum Along
Self-Directed Learning:
EVOLUTION
ORNITHOLOGY
Mon., Dec. 14 @ 9am
Neotropic Birding Adventures: Galapagos
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Legends of the Berkshires
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm.Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
STEAM. 3:30pm. STEAM: Dino Egg Dig Kit
LITERACY. 4pm. Storytime for School-Aged Kids: “Whose Shoes?”
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 5pm. Virtual tour to Berlin
LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION. 6:30pm. The Books Behind the Movies
FOLKLORE. 7pm. Christmas & New Years Folklore
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
NATURE-BASED. 10am. Junior Discovery Days (In-Person)
LITERACY. 10am. Story Time Online with Meghan
STEAM. 12pm. Lunch Bunch: Holiday Science
GARDENING. 12pm. Planning Your Vegetable Garden – Selecting the Right Seeds
DANCE STUDIES. 4pm. Let’s Move! Youth Dance Class
LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
MUSIC STUDIES 5:30pm. Beethoven’s Birthday
HISTORY. 6:30pm. Finding Slavery in New England: History and Memory
CULINARY ARTS. 9:30pm. Learn How to Cook Wharf Classics
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
CULINARY ARTS. 10am. Every Kid Can Cook Cooking Classes
NATURE-BASED. 10am. Junior Nature Play Thursday Series (In-person)
WORLD LANGUAGES. 10am. 123 Andrés LIVE Bilingual Concert for Families
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm.Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
MARINE BIOLOGY. 12pm. Career Dives: Blake Ushijima (PhD), Assistant Professor of Microbiology
WORLD LANGUAGES. 12pm. Writing Between Tongues: An Exploration of Hebrew and Arabic Calligraphy
NUTRITION. 12pm. Healthy Cooking Demo
ARTS STUDIES. 12:15pm. Museums a la Carte Zoom
NATURE-BASED. 1pm. Homeschool Thursday Nature Club: Our Common Wildlife
HISTORY. 4pm. Youth in Action: (Re)Telling the American Story
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT. 4:30pm. Flight Lesson
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience
LOCAL HISTORY. 6:30pm. Hidden Walls, Hidden Mills
PASTRY ARTS. 7pm. Virtual Cookie Exchange
DANCE STUDIES. 8pm. Digital Stage: Favorites from The Nutcracker
Self-Directed Learning:
CALLIGRAPHY
WORLD LANGUAGES
Thurs., Dec. 17 @ 12pm
Hebrew and Arabic Calligraphy
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020
LOCAL HISTORY. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
PLAY. 10:30am. Art Museum Playdate
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:30-8:30pm. Winterlights at Naumkeag
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5pm. Holiday Light Trail of Wilbraham
HOLIDAY LIGHTS.. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience
HOLIDAYS. 6:30pm. Parents Night Out: Featuring “The Grinch”
HOLIDAYS. 7pm. Holiday Concert
Online and in-person events and resources shared above are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.
Subscribe ♦ Advertising & Partnership Opportunities ♦ Learning Opportunities ♦ en Español
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Chester, Gill, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Hinsdale-Peru, Holyoke, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Springfield, Washington, Westhampton, and Windsor Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
