Mark Your Calendar
A few picks of what’ s coming up in Lenox
Join Chelsea Gaia, Ventfort Hall’ s Director of Programming & Events for Tarot 101, an intro for the curious. Step into the enchanting world of Tarot, an art form with origins tracing back to the 15th century. In this beginner’ s workshop, bold seekers will explore the storied history of the cards, learn the symbolism of the Ryder – Waite – Smith deck, and try their hand at the early etiquette of reading. Light refreshments will be served— because intuition works best when you’ re well-fed.
• November 16 @ 11 a. m.
• Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, 413-637-3206
• $ 45
Join Kim Widener of Till Botanicals for a pop-up featuring beautiful garlands and wreaths for festive holiday decor.
• November 29, 12-4 p. m.
• Honeychurch Home, 413-551-7061
• Free
Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with the town’ s annual Christmas tree lighting, which features Santa Claus, carolers, and plenty of holiday cheer. Children are invited to bring letters for Santa.
• December 5 @ 6 p. m.
• Lilac Park
• Free
Winter Market: Shop, Sip & Savor event. Participating businesses offer a gift with purchase, and invite guests to stroll, sample complimentary cocktails, savor tasty snacks, and discover treasures perfect for holiday gift-giving. Look for Santa Claus, holiday music, and beautifully decorated streets, which add to the celebration.
• December 6, 12-4 p. m.
• Historic Lenox Village
• Free
Book launch: A History of Lenox by George H. Tucker. Ninety years in the making, the book is presented by Lenox Library Information Librarian Christy Córdova and volunteer Jim Biancolo. The book chronicles stories by early residents that range from Lenox’ s 1767 incorporation to its days as a Gilded Age getaway.
• December 10 @ 5:30 p. m.
• Lenox Library, 413-637-0197
• Free
Doctor Sax House invites you to an out-of-this-world New Year’ s Eve experience, a celestial-inspired evening featuring an elegant five-course tasting dinner, and a spirited dance party in the Carriage House.
• December 31
• Doctor Sax House, 413-200-0589
• Call for ticket pricing
More Lenox happenings are well as what’ s going on around the Berkshires during the winter season on page 10, as well as Berkshire Magazine’ s online calendar at berkshiremag. com. from Australia for the kiddos, each with its own backstory.
Shear Design Salon 25 Church Street • 413-637-2662
I’ m often asked for a salon recommendation, and the answer comes easily. As a longtime Aveda devotee, Shear Design was a natural fit. But it’ s the talent— and the real warmth— of the stylists that turned me from a one-time visitor into a full-on regular. Stop in for a chance to win the salon ' s monthly drawing, which is a playful nod to the“ guess the candies in the jar” tradition from grade school. The difference? Now, the winning guess scores an Aveda gift box worth $ 300 or more, not just bragging rights and a single lollipop.( No complaints, but it’ s a clear upgrade.)
Shots Café 27 Housatonic Street • 413-637-9820
Open Tuesday through Saturday, this continental-style café takes pride in serving local Berkshire favorites: hearty breads from Berkshire Mountain Bakery, freshly roasted coffee from No. Six Depot, ice cream from High Lawn Farm and SoCo, and all-natural treats from The Berkshire Dog. The menu brims with fresh-baked pastries, inventive breakfast and lunch dishes— such as crepes, paninis, and quiche— plus ever-changing daily specials. On chilly days, I can’ t pass up a mug of one of their warm seasonal drinks, such as hot apple cider. Adding the caramel apple butter topping is a splurge, but it’ s as delightful as it sounds.
What a Gift 68 Main Street • 413-551-7424
Step inside, and you’ ll find the quintessential gift shop. Trinkets you won’ t see everywhere else: dainty earrings sealed in glass vials( with actual cork stoppers, thank you), Lost Horizons hats and gloves hand-knit from New Zealand wool, each blooming with charm. There are watercolor workbooks from Emily Lex Studio for channeling your inner artist, an armoire of gifts for kids, and shelves lined with cards that are as witty as they are heartfelt. My personal go-to gift? A miniature canned candle— each one wrapped with a meaningful quote that’ s a balm to the soul. n
80 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday 2023 2025