Pittsfield has an eclectic mix of year-round festivals. From independent films (the Berkshire International Film Festival aka BIFF at the Beacon Cinema) to Independence Day and our famous 4th of July Parade + Jazz, Berkshire Pride Festival, monthly street festivals, baby animals, winter fun, summer block parties, black voices, the spoken word and more, it seems we are always celebrating something wonderful in Pittsfield. Photo credit: Emma Ware Rothenberg
10×10 Upstreet Winter Festival
The 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival is a collaboration between more than a dozen arts and cultural organizations. It brings more than 10,000 people downtown for 10 days in the heart of the winter. Save the date: Feb 13-23, 2025. Photo credit: Ben Garver, Berkshire Eagle
First Fridays at Five
Come to the Berkshires’ largest and most unique happenings of the year. Mark your calendar for live music, dance, art making, family fun and a makers market with great food on the first Friday of every month May through September. Learn more.
4th of July Parade
The annual 4th of July Parade is a a beloved Pittsfield tradition going back to 1824, when the procession consisted of Revolutionary War survivors, patriots, politicians and horse-drawn carriages! Today thousands of people line the streets for the celebration featuring modern floats and marching bands from across New England. Photo credit: Janet Pumphrey
Baby Animals at Hancock Shaker Village
Celebrate the CUTEST season and welcome spring with this Pittsfield tradition. Meet and greet the newest farm additions – baby lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kids (goats, that is). Tour the historic village and enjoy a wide range of activities. Photo credit: Ogden Gigli
1843 West Housatonic St. (Route 20) | 413-443-0188 | hancockshakervillage.org
Berkshire International Film Festival
With locations in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, “The BIFF” is a world-class festival that is an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Berkshires. BIFF showcases not only the latest in independent feature, documentary, short, and family films but also lively panel discussions and special events focusing on filmmakers and talented artists from both sides of the camera. Photo credit: Kevin Sprague
In Pittsfield at The Beacon Cinema | 413.528.8030 | biffma.org
Celebration of Black Voices
A week-long celebration of local Black artists! Started by Barrington Stage Company in 2021 to celebrate black culture and voices, this is scheduled to become an annual summer event.
August 5-8, 2021 | barringtonstageco.org/Season-Shows/celebration/
Pittsfield CityJazz Festival
The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival was formed in 2005 to present mainstream and traditional jazz in a downtown setting. For the latest information visit their website. Photo credit Lee Everett / finelinelenox.com.
Various downtown location | berkshiresjazz.org
Pride Festival
Berkshire County’s annual public LGBTQI Pride celebration takes place in June in Pittsfield. Berkshire Pride is a community alliance composed of individuals representing diverse organizations and projects whose goal is to promote LGBTQI equality via community organizing by implementing educational and support projects that empower LGBTQI people and enable a dialog about such issues in the community. Photo credit Roots Rising.
On the First St. Common | berkshirepride.org
WordXWord Festival
WordXWord uses spoken word, poetry and storytelling in shared space and time to celebrate diversity and creativity, empower the individual, foster understanding and empathy, and make real human connections.
Year-round events are listed on wordxwordfestival.com
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