The Southern Berkshires are active throughout the year. Four-season events calendars feature many activities, concerts, fundraisers, lectures, workshops, and festivals that attract both locals and visitors alike. There is always something to do and someplace to go just a short, back-roads beautiful car ride away. We are a community that shops and supports local. We even have our own currency, BerkShares! Our local, independent retailers take pride in the quality and uniqueness of their merchandise, and in the experience they provide when you walk through their door. And, we have been designated the “Antiques Capital of the Commonwealth,” with an eclectic array of antique shops along the Route 7 Corridor to entice serious buyers, collectors, and enthusiasts. Whether you stroll through the stores in downtown Great Barrington or hop in the car for a scenic drive to one of our surrounding towns and the businesses that make these towns their home, you’ll find what you’re looking for and more.
The Berkshires have long provided inspiration and a home to artists and arts lovers. Our community event calendar is filled year-round with concerts and performances, art exhibitions, and arts festivals. Many are held in historic buildings, arts spaces, and open air theaters. These venues enhance the experience and reflect our region’s rich arts heritage. We are a community that nurtures young artists. Outreach opportunities and creative collaboration between arts organizations and our public schools through residencies, writer workshops, and programs give emerging artists and performers, access to professional mentors and the chance to get noticed.
We are also home to world-class venues such as Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, which have a long tradition of bringing the best and brightest to the Berkshires. And when it comes to museums, Chesterwood, Norman Rockwell Museum, The Clark, and Mass MoCA are held in world esteem for their collections and special exhibitions.
Dance, Theater, Art, Music, Film, Performance Art … choose your interest and indulge your passion.
It doesn’t get any fresher — or closer to the source — than what’s brought to the Berkshire table. Our local farms, community gardens, specialty food stores and farmer’s markets inspire our home cooks, foodies, and local chefs to push the culinary boundaries with what’s local and seasonal. Our flourishing food culture extends to advocacy for local farmers, growing fresh foods, strengthening local food systems, and community supported agriculture. Farmer’s Markets, co-op markets, local non-profits, farmers, and local chefs collaborate to showcase the foods and farms in our region, earning the Southern Berkshires the reputation as a destination for foodies and the model when it comes to farm-to-table dining.