Winter skills come to life this weekend as Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield transforms into an early New England scene. Families can explore open-hearth cooking, tinsmithing, quill writing, and blacksmithing while learning how people prepared for the cold months in #WesternMass.

At Smith Voc in Northampton this Saturday (12/6), an equipment swap gives new life to gently used winter gear. Families see how reusing items supports sustainability, cuts down on waste, and helps build community through sharing. #WesternMass #SkiSwap #CollaborativeConsumption #skiing

Give the gift of music with a Community Music School of Springfield lesson package, a meaningful way to inspire new skills and joyful learning this season. #WesternMass #MusicSchool

Welcome Yule returns to Turners Falls Dec 12–14 with its beloved blend of pub scenes, horn dances, community singing, and stories that warm the winter night. #WesternMass #Yule

Discover the Bement School’s warm and globally minded learning community in Deerfield and meet teachers during upcoming Open Houses for Grades 1–9 on Dec 9 and Kindergarten on Jan 8. #WesternMass

❄️ Holiday strolls, living history programs, art-making, and winter markets fill the region with opportunities to learn through celebration. See what December 4–12 offers for families who want to connect curiosity, culture, and community in our Weekly Suggested Events for #WesternMass.

Discover the story behind The Nutcracker, a timeless ballet that blends music, movement, and holiday magic. Learn how Tchaikovsky’s score & Balanchine’s choreography shaped its legacy, then enjoy a behind-the-scenes look with a New York City Ballet principal dancer. #ballet #nutcracker #dance #music

The South Hadley Holiday Stroll welcomes families to the Village Commons for a free evening this Friday (12/5) of art-making, music, and a festive parade. The event encourages everyone to learn through hands-on creativity and shared seasonal traditions. #WesternMass

The South Hadley Holiday Stroll welcomes families to the Village Commons for a free evening this Friday (12/5) of art-making, music, and a festive parade. The event encourages everyone to learn through hands-on creativity and shared seasonal traditions. #WesternMass

Pittsfield’s Park Square glows during this free outdoor celebration where families gather for music, lights, and tradition. The event encourages participants to learn how community rituals, seasonal design, and shared space shape a sense of place across generations. #intheberkshires #WesternMass

Tonight (12/4) at the The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, "Carle After Dark: Solstice Spells" offers tabletop games, mini tarot readings, live music, and art from 4–8pm with Museum admission. #WesternMass

❄️ Looking for the best sledding hills this winter? Families across the region have shared their favorite local spots for #Sledding in #WesternMass, from golf courses in the Berkshires to schoolyard slopes in the Valley! 🛷

A glowing spiral path, music, crafts & a community wishing tree create a welcoming space for families to celebrate winter at Arcadia in Easthampton, Dec 13. Hands-on activities help children learn about seasonal change, nature’s rhythms, & the joy of gathering outdoors. @massaudubon.org #WesternMass

Celebrate the holidays in Amherst this Friday at the annual Merry Maple event featuring family activities and performances throughout the afternoon. Santa arrives on the fire truck just in time for the 5pm tree lighting. #WesternMass

When winter storms hit, find everything you need in one place with Hilltown Families’ School Closings guide, including direct links for fast updates on delays, early dismissals, and closures. #westernmass

Join The #EricCarle Museum for #Solstice Spells this Thurs. evening, Dec 4, from 4-8pm. Come back on Sat., Dec 6, for multilingual stories, tabletop quests, live music & storytelling in several languages. These events are a great way for families to connect through art & imagination! #WesternMass

Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas features a free holiday stroll filled with art, history, and tradition: Dec 6&7. Wagon rides, music, kids’ activities, and tours help connect community stories to the famous Rockwell scene. #WesternMass #intheberkshires #NormanRockwell

Discover the Northampton Annual #ToyExchange, a free community event that promotes #sustainability by giving families access to gently used toys, books & games. Join the local toy exchange to reduce waste, support families, and find unique holiday gifts. Dec 6 @ Northampton High School. #WesternMass

At the #Montessori School of Northampton, children learn to explore with curiosity, confidence, and responsibility. For almost fifty years, this community has helped students grow with a Montessori education that respects each child’s unique path. #WesternMass

If you are thinking about your next step, Holyoke Community College offers education with childcare, technology loans, and food help to support every student. Here, education and community go hand in hand. #WesternMass #HCC

At the @spfldmuseums.bsky.social this Thurs. (12/4), teens & lifelong learners can explore how art history & literature shaped the evolving figure of Mrs. Claus. Via readings & discussion, learn how storytellers transformed her into a symbol of resilience, creativity & compassion. #WesternMass

Discover the cultural and historical richness of Central Javanese music at the Smith College #Gamelan Fall Concert in Northampton on Wed. (12/3). See how music preserves history and offers a window into Java's identity, values, and community life at this free concert. #WesternMass #SmithCollege

Greenfield Community College will start a free Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program in January 2026. In 19 weeks, participants can earn while they learn and work toward EEC Teacher Level Certification. #WesternMass

Teens ages 12 to 18 can audition for Les Misérables School Edition with Starlight’s Youth Theatre on December 6 in Sunderland. Everyone who auditions gets a role and joins a supportive creative group. #WesternMass #theater #auditions

#Civics 101 helps community members gain the tools to engage w/government. This event (12/2) in Florence w/Representative @sabadosama.bsky.social pairs w/a “Civics Made Easy” video to highlight why #CivicEducation matters, how advocacy works, & how citizens can take informed action in a #democracy.

At the Northfield Library, teens and lifelong learners discover how #ornithology adds to literature as David Spector links bird imagery in #Brontë novels to natural history and art. The talk shows how watching birds can deepen understanding of language and storytelling. #WesternMass

Teens and lifelong learners can discover the science of sourdough in Colrain this Monday (12/1) by working with wild yeast, fermentation, and classic baking methods. Participants learn to care for a starter, explore flavor, and connect baking at home to food history. #WesternMass #sourdoughbread

Holyoke Community College offers degree programs, adult education, and career training to help you build a better future. With real support, HCC helps people change their lives through learning. hilltownfamilies.org/featured-ad/... #WesternMass #CommunityCollege

The Hartsbrook School in Hadley gives children a Waldorf education with imagination, hands-on learning, and real projects from early childhood through high school. Applications for the 2026–27 school year are now open. #WesternMass #WaldorfEducation

Join Hilltown Land Trust tomorrow (11/30) for the annual Gorge après Gorge in West Chesterfield, with a family walk at 9:30am and a #5k trail run at 10:30am. Enjoy the scenic course and a friendly community gathering at this annual tradition. #WesternMass

🫚🌶️🧄 Teens and adults can learn traditional #FireCider techniques in Chester #WesternMass next Friday (12/5), exploring garlic, ginger, onion, and #herbs as seasonal remedies. This hands-on workshop connects food history, plant knowledge, and preservation while participants make a jar to take home.

JingleFest transforms downtown Greenfield #WesternMass into a free holiday stroll next Fri/Sat (12/5-6). Families can learn by designing gingerbread, crafting, caroling, enjoying tree lighting, and visiting Santa, showing how creative activities and community spaces inspire hands-on discovery.

The Berkshire Museum brings its annual Festival of Trees to Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, featuring animal-inspired designs. The exhibit is open Fridays to Sundays through December 28. #WesternMass

This season, skip the big box stores & check out local crafts for your holiday gifts. #Shopping locally gives you the chance to find unique gifts at craft fairs & open studios, like handmade ornaments or knitted scarves. Let your gifts this holiday bring joy and celebrate community & craftsmanship.

The Lighting of the Merry Maple is back in downtown Amherst next Friday (12/5) with carriage rides, music, and a tree lighting with Santa. Families can join activities on the North Common starting at 3pm. #WesternMass

Holiday shopping offers a chance to learn about value and making mindful choices. Initiatives like Green Friday & Giving Tuesday encourage sustainable habits, better money management, & community involvement, turning the shopping season into a time for thoughtful giving. #blackfriday #socialstudies

Ride through Shelburne Falls during Moonlight Magic TOMORROW (11/28) at the Trolley Museum, featuring lights, local history, and fun for families. Kids can explore wooden and electric trains at the visitor center. #WesternMass

Winter activities such as Nordic skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing let you observe how plants and animals adapt, learn about snow as a resource, and explore the history of these sports across cultures. They offer a great way to stay active and learn from the outdoors. #nordicskiing #westernmass

The Berkshire Trails Bill Koch League invites kids in grades K to 8 to learn cross-country skiing at Notchview in Windsor this winter. Sessions include lessons, games, and fun on the snow for all skill levels. #nordicskiing #intheberkshires #westernmass #crosscountryskiing #skiing #wintersports

The Hilltown Family Variety Show marks Thanksgiving with Guest DJ Charity Kahn. She brings music and thoughts about gratitude, love, and community. Listen in for a joyful playlist of classic songs that bring people together this season with this commercial-free show. #Thanksgiving #radioshow

This Sunday, join Hilltown Land Trust for the 21st annual Gorge après Gorge. Take part in a free family walk or a 5k run along the Westfield River, then enjoy warm drinks and a community potluck. #WesternMass

🥧 Thanksgiving food traditions come from both Native American and European roots. Looking at foods like corn, pecan pie, and cranberry sauce helps us better understand and appreciate what Thanksgiving means to different cultures. #foodstudies

✨ The Hartsbrook School in Hadley #WesternMass offers a learning path from circle time and nature walks to complex projects and meaningful high school work. Families looking for a whole-child approach may find a good fit in this Waldorf community in Hadley.

Families can watch a free annual screening of "The Wizard of Oz" at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington #WesternMass this Saturday. This film and musical classic encourages curiosity about visual storytelling, symbolism, and character development through one of cinema’s most famous journeys.

📚 Holyoke Community College is a place to start fresh, build skills, and find community support. With programs for learners at every level, HCC helps turn personal goals into real next steps. #westernmass

On Sat., Nov 29, families come together at the Greenfield Garden Cinema in #WesternMass to watch "It’s a Wonderful Life" (1946), a classic film about belonging and purpose. This tradition invites everyone to reflect on storytelling, characters, and how movies bring generations closer.

🎶 Starlight’s Youth Theatre in Sunderland #WesternMass welcomes teens of all experience levels to join Les Misérables School Edition, build confidence, and make new friends. Auditions on Dec 6 invite young people to learn, grow, and shine. #theater

The #FlorenceMA Holiday Parade this Saturday brings music, movement, and stories to Route 9. Kids and families can enjoy a free celebration with Santa, community groups, and festive floats that show how shared traditions build local identity. #WesternMass

During Winter Light Night, the #BelchertownMA town common shines with festive lights, outdoor fun, and family creativity. Crafts and carriage rides show how seasonal gatherings and shared art help build community and a sense of place. #WesternMass

🌟 #Moonlight Magic brings Shelburne Falls to life this Friday (11/28) with #Santa and Mrs. Claus, a bright parade, a children’s scavenger hunt, and luminaria along the streets. It’s a joyful night of light, music, and local holiday fun. #WesternMass