BERKSHIRE MUSIC FESTIVALS

There is a long tradition of live music in the Berkshires. There are numerous festivals throughout the mountain towns that cultivate upcoming talent and feature the best and brightest in the world of music. We’ve put together a short list of recommendations for festivals you should visit.

Tanglewood Music Festival

• Location: Tanglewood, Lenox, MA

Simply put, the Tanglewood Music Festival is a classical music lover’s dream. Hosted primarily by the Tanglewood Music Center, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this festival has gained both national and international recognition. 

The festival has been a long running tradition here in the Berkshires. Each summer between June and August, the Tanglewood Music Festival draws in over 350,000 visitors from around the world and attracts talent both new and old. During this time, you can enjoy performances of pieces from the greatest composers in history as well as experience new works from living composers.

Whether you prefer intimate chamber music or grand orchestras, you can find world-class performances from most kinds of ensembles. There are also open workshops, allowing visitors to expand their musical horizons under the tutelage of professional artists. For those wanting to learn more about music, Tanglewood often hosts engaging seminars expounding on history and performance.

Freshgrass Festival

• Location: Mass MoCA, North Adams, MA

The Freshgrass Festival is an annual event dedicated to grassroots music of all kinds, both traditional and cutting-edge. The multi-day event has consistently had a diverse lineup showcasing the best in acoustic music. Both masters and up-and-coming artists perform original compositions, compete in contests, and take part in unexpected collaborations.

The festival is decidedly a family-friendly experience that offers far more than just musical concerts. You’ll find opportunities for art projects and instrument making. Held at Mass MoCA, the famed Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery, moves its art bar outdoors to help spur young creativity.

To learn more about the venue, feel free to read our article about museums in the Berkshires.

Berkshire Opera Festival

• Location: Pittsfield, MA

Opera is an aged and cherished form of music that you’ll find is alive and well in the region, thanks to the Berkshire Opera Festival.

Held in the summertime, the festival is a fully-producing event, meaning that guests will find the world-class performances held will be both musically and dramatically compelling. The Berkshire Opera Festival has a reputation for maintaining strict standards of excellence, with professionally designed sets and costumes.

Being able to experience some of the most groundbreaking operas of their time, such as Don Giovanni, at an affordable price would be enough for any music, but there are other events held as well. Visitors can enjoy recitals and other musical events such as fundraising dinners, allowing you to indulge in a wonderful night of fine dining set to live music written by some of the best composers in history.

If all of this sounds amazing, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a night at the opera.