A Christmas Carol, Holiday Concert & The Annual Stockbridge Christmas Festival
Feel the spirit of Christmas past, present and future in the Berkshire Mountains, led by Charles Dickens and Norman Rockwell . Join us as Christmas comes to life in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a charming, quintessentially New England town, dressed up in its holiday best . This weekend-long celebration is brimming with two performances, music, high tea, decorations and lots of holiday cheer!
Day 1 – A Christmas Carol and Holiday Concert (L, T)
Begin with lunch at the Cork ‘N Hearth, then arrive in Gilded Age style at Ventfort Hall, which will put new meaning to “deck the halls!” Once the home of J.P. Morgan’s sister, Ventfort Hall is known for its exquisite architecture. After a guided tour of Ventfort, witness the wonder of Christmas with Gerald Charles Dickens performing A Christmas Carol . The great-great-grandson of literary icon Charles Dickens, Gerald acts out the beloved story, playing 26 characters during this amazing, oneman-show. Simply staged, with just a chair, table and hat stand, Gerald uses physical, facial and vocal mannerisms to portray the characters . This Dickens of a performance has received standing ovations the world over! An elegant Victorian, high tea will follow directly after the show, which Mr. Dickens will attend and answer questions. Move from Christmases past to the future, as we behold the Blafield Children’s Chorus. The children, together with Berkshire Lyric Choral Scholars, present their annual holiday concert inside the quaint Stockbridge Congregational Church. Enjoy popular songs of the season accompanied by the church’s pipe organ from the 1800’s! After your exciting day, check into the comfortable Hampton Inn Lenox and settle in for a long winter’s nap.
Day 2 – Norman Rockwell Main Street Stockbridge Christmas Festival (B)
Today, Stockbridge’s picturesque Main Street is transformed into a magical New England, holiday village with a full range of festivities to delight the child in everyone. Stroll the quaint streets trimmed with Christmas decorations and hear strains of harp and piano music coming from the famous Red Lion Inn. See the town as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, complete with antique cars and smalltown feel. The festival celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the town’s most beloved local! For a fitting finish to the day, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum to see the iconic painting that inspired it all.