Long summer days bring a full week of music, theater, art, gardens, and history across Stockbridge and the Berkshires. Independence Day programming, America250 reflections, world-class performances, and lively community events fill the holiday week with ways to explore and connect across the region.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Norman Rockwell Museum — We Hold These Truths

July 4 | 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Celebrate Independence Day with one of the week’s most meaningful gatherings, presented in partnership with the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Center. We Hold These Truths features a community reading of the Declaration of Independence led by Berkshire residents and civic voices, accompanied by live music from Wanda Houston, Rob Putnam, and Doug Mishkin. Families can take part in hands-on art activities, and visitors are invited to experience the museum’s powerful exhibition American Stories: Revolution to Rockwell, offering a reflection on the nation’s past through illustration and storytelling.

READ MORE ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Highlights for the Week Ahead in & Around #StockbridgeMA

June 26 – July 2, 2026

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, The Red Lion Inn presents two special programs. On June 28 at 2 p.m., historian Richard Skolnik, Ph.D., offers Against All Odds: Victory in the War for Independence, examining how the colonies prevailed against the world’s most powerful military force. Then on July 1, Voices of Democracy: 250 Years Creating America brings actors and musicians together for an inspiring evening of storytelling and song. Festive dinner and cocktails begin at 4 p.m., followed by the performance from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Music lovers will be drawn to Tanglewood Music Festival, where the summer season continues with the return of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis on June 26 at 7 p,m,. The weekend brings two evenings with legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon on June 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Jerry Garcia Celebration with the Boston Pops on June 30 at 7 p.m.

LEARN ABOUT ALL EVENTS

SUMMER BEGINS IN THE BERKSHIRES

June 19–25 Event Highlights in and around Stockbridge, MA

Summer officially arrives on June 21, and Stockbridge is ready. From opening nights on legendary stages and Pride celebrations in historic gardens to new exhibitions, author talks, family activities, and live music throughout the county, the week ahead offers countless ways to experience the arts, culture, and beauty of the region.

Tanglewood Kicks Off Summer

The summer season begins in grand style at Tanglewood Music Festival with the Popluar Artist Series. On June 20 at 7 p.m., Jon Stewart takes the stage with special guest Church and State in a phone-free evening of comedy and commentary. The celebration continues on June 21 at 2:30 p.m. when Yacht Rock Revue brings its acclaimed PRIMETIME presented by CANN tour and a nostalgic soundtrack of ’70s and ’80s favorites.

Powerful Stories Take Center Stage

At Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre, The American Five opens June 18 and runs through July 11, exploring the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones in the days leading to the March on Washington. In Lenox, MA, Shakespeare & Company opens its 49th season with Fireflies, running June 19–July 19, a touching story of unexpected romance and second chances.

READ ALL THE EVENTS

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 

2026 TANGLEWOOD SEASON (June 21 to Sept. 2)

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Norman Rockwell Museum will unveil an ambitious, multifaceted 2026 program of exhibitions, events, and creative workshops that invite visitors to explore — and imagine — America’s journey through art and visual storytelling.

“The year 2026 invites us to reflect on how our nation has evolved and to imagine the future we hope to build,” said Museum CEO and Director Laurie Norton Moffatt. “Spanning heroic historical painting and inventive comic-strip art, NRM’s exhibitions and programs will illuminate the shared human experience at the heart of American life, moving from the iconic to the innovative.”

In the year ahead, Norman Rockwell Museum asserts its role as a vital cultural hub—one that honors the past while embracing new forms of storytelling, from the grand sweep of history in  American Stories: From Revolution to Rockwell, to witty, insightful imagination in Exploring Calvin and Hobbes. With accompanying workshops, talks, and guided tours, the season promises meaningful engagement for art lovers, families, history buffs, and curious creators alike.

“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the formation of our nation,” reflected Norton Moffatt, “we invite visitors not just to look back — but to take stock of the present and look ahead: at who we’ve been, who we are, and who we might become, through the storytelling lens of American illustration art.” 2026 marks an important moment in the history of the Norman Rockwell Museum, ushering in a year of transition with the announced retirement of longtime Director and CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt and the selection of a new leader by the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

Read More

The Clark Art Institute announces its summer 2026 events lineup, encouraging visitors to engage with art and nature both inside the galleries and on the grounds. Featuring talks and tours, nature programs, performing arts events, family programs, and special events connected to our summer exhibitions and renowned permanent collection, there is something for all ages. Community Day: Eye on Art!, the Clark’s annual summer free day, takes place on Sunday, July 12, and includes art-making activities, live musicians, and food vendors. For more information and to register or purchase tickets to Clark events, visit events.clarkart.edu.

Additional summer programming is planned for Clark members. Visit clarkart.edu/join-give for more information about becoming a member and enjoying access to unique, member-only events and discounted tickets to performances.

Through June (and beginning again in September), the Clark is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. The Institute is open on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) and Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). In July and August, the Clark is open daily from 10 am–5 pm.

Read More

—

There’s no single way to experience a Berkshire summer—but in Stockbridge, MA and its neighboring towns, the season unfolds as one continuous cultural journey. A morning in the galleries can lead to an afternoon in the gardens, followed by an evening concert beneath the stars or a late-night jazz set in a historic inn.

In summer 2026, that rhythm carries special resonance as many of the Berkshires’ leading institutions reflect on America’s story in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Across the region, museums, theaters, music venues, and historic estates are presenting exhibitions, performances, conversations, and celebrations that connect past and present in fresh and inspiring ways.

Whether you arrive for a weekend or linger for the summer, the Berkshire calendar offers countless ways to move between inspiration, relaxation, and discovery.

The calendar is full! Read the Full schedule here.

Chesterwood 2026 Season May 15 – October 31

 American Renaissance sculptor Daniel Chester French’s iconic statue of the Minute Man takes center stage this season in the Residence Galleries, while the annual Outdoor Sculpture Show and Performing Arts Series highlight Chesterwood as a thriving hub for the arts.

The 122-acre summer residence, studio and gardens of American Renaissance sculptor Daniel Chester French will be open to visitors from May 15 – October 31, 2026.
Read More

Stockbridge, MA blends rich culture, breathtaking outdoor experiences, and historic small-town charm for the ultimate spring escape. Picture yourself wandering through our museums, charming shops, and vibrant galleries. If you’re feeling adventurous, lace up those hiking boots and embark on scenic trails that reveal nature’s splendor. As you meander through our blooming gardens or indulge in delicious local bites and brews, you’ll find that every corner of Stockbridge invites you to engage, explore, and enjoy. Our New England Inns, B&Bs and Hotels offer specials and packages. Stockbridge is easily accessible, making it the ideal destination for a weekend getaway or an extended stay. Read the entire Schedule