December Holiday Events
Get cozy this holiday season and join us for an array of events ranging from concerts, teas, ghost story readings, marionette shows, story hours and more! Event information with ticket links below.
Christmas Traditions of the Victorian and Gilded Age
Local Berkshire County resident and Ventfort Hall volunteer will speak at Ventfort Hall about holiday traditions in the Victorian and Gilded Age. A tea will follow her presentation.
Her talk will include the history and description of such traditions as decorating the house (inside and out), the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Christmas Eve festivities, Christmas Day activities such as gift giving and Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve, Twelfth Night, and more.
Holiday Cabaret with Sherri James Buxton and Bob Sheperd
Information and tickets coming soon!
Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories with Robert Oakes
Join author and storyteller Robert Oakes beside the fire at the famously haunted Ventfort Hall in Lenox, MA, as he brings back the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas. There among the shadows, under the watchful eyes of Ventfort’s ghosts, Oakes will read selections of Christmas-themed ghost stories by some of the most accomplished authors of an eerier age. Please note: Due to some dark themes and advanced language, this event is intended for an adult audience. Guests will experience the magical atmosphere of this gorgeous Gilded Age estate, beautifully decorated for the holidays. Festive refreshments will be offered with a spirited holiday drink available for purchase.
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Marionette Show: Rumpelstiltskin
The popular puppeteer Carl Sprague will return to Ventfort Hall to charm all ages with Rumpelstiltskin for two holiday vacation week marionette performances. The dates and times are Monday, December 28th and Wednesday, December 30th, both at 3:30 pm. The audiences will have the opportunity to meet this wizard, who knows how to pull strings.
Rapunzel is a fairy tale, published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, about an imp who spins straw into gold in exchange for a woman's firstborn child. The story explores themes of greed, deception, and power imbalances.
FREE Children's Story Hour
Ventfort Hall is thrilled to host a Children’s Evening Story Hour again this year during the holiday season. This enchanting evening will bring families together for a cozy celebration of classic winter stories, hot cocoa, snacks, activities, and a memorable reading experience. Get Cozy. Arrive in your favorite pajamas and bring blankets to snuggle up with in the mansion library. Allergy-friendly food options are welcome if brought from home. The story hour will feature these cherished books: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, The Mitten, by Jan Brett, Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, and The Tomten, by Astrid Lingren
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Youth Ghost Tour with Robert Oakes
On Tuesday, December 29, at 4:30 pm, Ventfort Hall will host author and ghost tour guide Robert Oakes as he reads selections from his book, The Ghostly Tales of the Berkshires for young readers. The reading will be followed by a youth ghost tour of this historic mansion. The reading and tour, taking place during school vacation week, are geared toward children ages 8–12.
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