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January 2016
Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!
Wintering in Massachusetts
Winter Flutist at Field Gallery,  West Tisbury;
Credit:N. Friedler
The holidays are over, the kids are back at school, and January turns Massachusetts into a winter wonderland for visitors to cherish.   Venture outdoors and enjoy the state's skiing, skating and hiking, or stay indoors and revel in the cultural, historical and artistic riches all across the Commonwealth.  This month, MOTT is launching a Wicked Free Winter Fun calendar at massvacation.com, with over 100 free events for visitors to enjoy. So stay warm and have fun in Massachusetts. 

Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts! 
Featured Region: Greater Merrimack Valley

Kick off the New Year in the Greater Merrimack Valley. 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of National Parks, so head to the Lowell National Historical Park and view their exhibit "Piecing Together a Changing Planet" on display through February 7th, or pay a visit to the Minute Man National Historical Park to learn Lexington and Concord's historical significance of the Revolutionary War. Ski, snowboard or snow tube at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford. Bring the family to Wamesit Lanes in Tewksbury for 10 Pin and Candle Pin Bowling, state of the art golf simulators and aracde. Mark your calendars for Chelmsford's Winterfest Celebration, February 5th-7th and for the 16th annual Winterfest- February 19th and 20th in Lowell! For more exciting things to do and see in the Greater Merrimack Valley visit merrimackvalley.org.

Find more information on
Greater Merrimack Valley.
Central Massachusetts

Photo credit: Worcester Art Museum
The fun continues in Central Massachusetts this January! Enjoy the great outdoors with some snowshoeing at Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook or learn to ski or snowboard on Wachusett Mountain. If it's too chilly outside, The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts makes some noise on January 10th with the unforgettable performance STOMP, and The Worcester Art Museum gives us a first look at Spring with floral arrangements inspired by the artwork during Flora in Winter from January 28-31.  Find more information on Central Massachusetts.
Franklin County
Be a part of a tradition that began over 90 years ago at the Greenfield Winter Carnival February 5-7! Ice sculpture contests, fireworks, fire dancers, Parade of Lights, Breakfast with Frosty, Family Fun Day, Sleigh Bell Run, Cardboard Sled Race, K9 Keg Pull, sledding, ice skating, and so much more! Most events are free and there's something for everyone throughout the weekend. Then, warm up and sample a farm-to-table menu at a local eatery or visit a craft gallery in Shelburne Falls, Deerfield or Turners Falls for works by talented artisans. Find more information on Franklin County
Greater Boston
Boston is still dressed for the holiday season and the door is open for theatrical, musical and artistic performances of all genres, from Shakespeare's crossed dressed comedy Twelfth Night to the timely drama of Disgraced. Nice Fish is a good catch, be a guest at Beauty and the Beast or enjoy Sondheim on Sondheim, a musical review of the prolific composer/lyricist. Pop artist Corita Kent's work is on display at the Harvard Art Museums while the Peabody Essex Museum presents Native Fashion Now and Dutch Painting in the Golden Age is on view at the MFA.  In fact, there's so much to do - you have to stay over! Find more information on Greater Boston
Cape Cod
The arts are alive this January on Cape Cod! From January 9-February 14, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and Cotuit Center for the Arts will collaborate on the winter art exhibit "Balancing Act." The interactive exhibit will feature artists' interpretation of this theme - literally and figuratively! Next up, the Cape Symphony Orchestra will present "The Silk Road and Beyond" January 16-17. This special concert will be a blissful marriage between the ancient Chinese instrument, the Guzheng, and the lush, Western orchestra. Buy tickets now! Find more information on Cape Cod.
Greater Springfield
This month, the largest railroad hobby show in the northeast takes place at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield January 23-24! The exhibit "From Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs" also takes place at the Springfield Museums Jan 30-May 15th. For more information on these great events and others, visit valleyvisitor.com.  Find more information on Greater Springfield.
Hampshire County
Next month Sesame Street's Big Bird is coming to Northampton and it's a big deal! The Northampton Arts Council invites you to a special film presentation of I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story on Friday, February 12 at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton. The film will be followed by a Q&A session featuring Mr. Spinney himself, who is now in his 80s. Secure your tickets for this special event now. Find more information on Hampshire County.
Johnny Appleseed Country
Chase those winter chills with a crackling fireplace and great music in Johnny Appleseed Country this month! Settle in for a real New England treat at popular spots like the Tap Room at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, Twohey's Tavern at the King Phillip Restaurant in Phillipston, the Coppertop Lounge at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, or the Cracker Barrel Lounge at the Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster. Whether you prefer blues, soft rock - or anything in between - you can listen in cozy comfort in Johnny Appleseed Country. Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.
Martha's Vineyard 
The Annual Big Chili Contest is set for Saturday, January 30th in Oak Bluffs!
It doesn't get any hotter on Martha's Vineyard in January than at the Big Chili Contest. Enjoy amazing chili, live music, dancing and more chili at this annual event that gets the Island rocking! For all the information and tickets visit mvyradio.com. Businesses or amateurs interested in entering the contest can contact Greg Orcutt at 508-693-5000 or email gorcutt@mvyradio.com. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.
Mohawk Trail Region
Join Mass MoCA for their annual day of free admission on Saturday, January 30th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., when the galleries teem with visitors and activities! Enjoy elevator music (played live), art-making, gallery tours, pop-up performances, and all the usual Free Day excitement. Be sure to check out the results of the Kidspace artist residency with North Adams and North Berkshire students. Find more information on The Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest

MetroWest's new and expanded performance venues offer great spaces for experiencing music, theatre and dance. The breaktaking new Hopkinton Center for the Arts fills beautifully renovated barns with stages and galleries. Further south, you'll find the new Black Box Theatre in Franklin. The Natick Center for the Arts (TCAN) is adding a second story for watching independent films, and Amazing Things Arts Center's refurbished firehouse in Framingham offers a wide range of musical performances. Find more information on MetroWest
Nantucket Island

The Nantucket Hotel & Resort is delighted to host a weekend with best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand January 15-18! Spend a special two or three-day weekend with Elin on the island of Nantucket. Enjoy either a private tour of Nantucket with Elin, showcasing many of the locations described in her books or a "So You Think You Know Elin" round-table discussion with some of her closest friends. Attend an exclusive first reading from her upcoming book, "Here's to Us." Click here to join Elin. Find more information on Nantucket Island.
North of Boston
Located in the scenic seaport village of Rockport, Rockport Music presents exceptional musical performances and events year round, This January, enjoy National Theatre in HD: Hamlet, Met Opera in HD: Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Guest Presentation: David Bromberg, Vadym Kholodenko, piano, Beantown Swing Orchestra, National Theatre in HD: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Met Opera in HD: Turandot, and Bolshoi Ballet in HD: Taming of the Shrew. For more information or to purchase your tickets, click here! Find more information on North of Boston.
Plymouth County

Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton is running the first U.S. solo exhibition of Danish fiber artist, Grethe Wittrock entitled Nordic Currents. The exhibition, on display through January 31st, includes a series of bird-like fiber objects, experimental paper clothing, and wall hangings. There will be about 25 pieces included in the exhibition, many of which will be suspended from the ceiling or mounted on the wall. Grethe Wittrock created the works for Nordic Currents during a residency at The Danish Art Workshops in Copenhagen.  Find more information on Plymouth County.  
Southeastern Mass

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul...but what happens when we remove that window? Are we still able to feel the person in front of us? The goal of the series of photographs in "Without a Face" was to make creative, soulful artist portraits without showing his/her face directly. Exhibit open from January 23 to February 19 at the Narrows Center for Performing Arts in Fall River. Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts
The Berkshires

Save the date! The 5th Annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival in Downtown Pittsfield, MA promises to be the biggest and best fest yet!  The festival, taking place February 11-21, features music, art, theater, dance, comedy, film, and more.  There is something for the entire family from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival and 10 days of play at the Berkshire Museum to a bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at the newly renovated Pittsfield Common. Come and discover winter fun in the Berkshires!  Find more information on The Berkshires
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Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism