Moonlight Magic is back for its 39th year of celebrating light and community. The annual festival will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 29 in downtown Shelburne Falls. 

The village will  be transformed into a winter wonderland where visitors can view window displays from shops participating in a decorating contest, shop the wares of local artisans and crafters, and watch the annual parade of lights led by Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

“I think it’s really magical,” said Molly Cantor, who’s been involved in organizing the annual festival since 2019. “It’s more than just a shopping night; it’s a really magical night with the lights and the lanterns and carolers and parade.”

The event will also include children’s activities such as ornament painting and a scavenger hunt through out town, Magical Trolley Rides at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, a craft fair at the  Shelburne Falls Eagles Club and Buckland Town Hall, a warming station serving cocoa, cider and cookies, a makers market at The Mill on Conway Street, and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Additionally throughout the village, local shops and restaurants will be open late and hosting performances from local musicians, such as Welcome Yule and Jolly Holly Horns.

The annual festival began in 1985 and was created by The Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association as a way to support local businesses. 

“It started out decades ago as a local response to Black Friday to get people excited around shopping at local businesses,” Cantor said. 

West County Arts and Culture took over organizing the event in 2022. This year, dedicated volunteers have been meeting since September to work out details of the event. Cantor said it has been smooth sailing as many volunteers and vendors have been been running the same activity for years. For example, she said the Masonic Lodge has been leading a luminary lantern-making station for years, so organizers never have to worry about there being enough lanterns at the festival of lights. 

“One of the amazing things about this festival is people have taken on their own part and we don’t need to worry about them,” Cantor said. 

The parade will begin at 5 p.m., and the rest of the planned activities will be available throughout the evening. The event is free to attend, and free shuttles will be available to carry people throughout the village. Bridge Street will be closed at 2 p.m. to allow vendors to begin setting up their tents. 

For more information visit shelburnefalls.com/moonlightmagic or visit the Moonlight Magic Facebook page. 

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com