As we enter the final crunch up to the holidays, it’s time to start thinking about those last-minute gifts. I’m guessing that you have music fans on your shopping list, and they are the easiest to shop for because they only need one thing: more music.

One of the best ways to treat the music lover in your life is by supporting music venues. Operating a music venue has always been a tough game, but it’s even more difficult in the post-pandemic years. So, instead of giving someone more unneeded stuff, consider a card noting that you donated to their favorite music venue.

One of these that could benefit from help is the Watermelon Wednesdays series in Whately, which presents acoustic shows of varying genres at the historic West Whately Chapel and Whately Town Hall. You might have attended their sold-out inaugural bluegrass festival.

Paul Newlin of Whately is the driving force behind the series he founded in 2000. He — along with some help from his partner Claudia — does most of the work involved in putting on the shows. The pair even host dinner and sometimes lodging for the musicians at their home. It’s a labor of love, and Newlin feels that the enjoyment the music brings, combined with the community that is created make all the work worth it.

The revenue he brings in comes from ticket sales, and he uses that money to pay for the world-class talent that he routinely brings to Whately.

However, there are other expenses that need to be covered for the concert series to break even, and this is where a donation could help. The expenses include insurance, utilities, rent, media, web design and upkeep, email, marketing, sound tech support, food for the performers and portable restrooms. And we can’t forget the watermelon that is served during intermission at summer shows, and the cider doughnuts and brownies that take their place in the cold weather.

Watermelon Wednesdays will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2024 and we can count on them to have some exciting events to mark the occasion. Their operating costs are not huge, so consider donating during this season of giving. As Newlin said, “never has there been more need for experiencing the joy of live music together.”

To donate, visit the Watermelon Wednesday site at watermelonwednesdays.com and click on the “donate” button or send a check to Paul Newlin, 148 Conway Road, West Whately, MA 01039. Make checks out to Watermelon Wednesdays.

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Other venues all welcome your help and are thankful for any donation given. The Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls is in the process of conducting its end-of-year fundraising campaign. The Shea hopes to do bigger and better shows next year but needs the funds to bring this vision to life. According to its Facebook page, an anonymous donor has offered the Shea a $10,000 match if it can raise an additional $25,000 before the end of the year. Visit sheatheater.org and donate via PayPal and/or become a member of the Shea.

Earlier this fall, the Parlor Room Collective launched its fundraising campaign to refurbish and reopen the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton. It needs to raise $750,000 for vital renovations, including new bathrooms, improved accessibility, improved heating and cooling, and other improvements. The goal is to complete this project in time to reopen the Iron Horse in the spring.

Donations can be made at ironhorse.org or, if sending a check, mail it to: The Parlor Room, ATTN: Chris Freeman, 32 Masonic St., Northampton, MA 01060.

And remember, not only is donating to music halls a great way to celebrate the season, but your donations to these non-profit venues are tax deductible.

In a previous column, I mentioned what a great gift concert tickets make. So many shows have already been announced for 2024, and most of our local venues sell gift cards. And don’t forget festival tickets for that favorite person on your list. Remember, weekend passes for the Green River Festival are on sale at greenriverfestival.com. The festival will occur on June 21 to 23 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

Weekend passes are also on sale for the celebration of roots music that is the Back Porch Festival, held in Northampton on March 15 to 17. The festival’s evening shows at the Academy of Music in Northampton, which are ticketed separately, are a tribute night to the music of Willie Nelson, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Richard Thompson. You can purchase a Ramble Pass for the festival that will admit you to shows that feature more than 50 artists at 10 venues across Northampton. The Ramble Pass does not include admission to the evening shows at the Academy of Music. You can purchase a Ramble Pass until Dec. 31 without additional service fees. They are available at backporchfest.com.

Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival will be held June 28 to 30 at MASS MoCA in North Adams. This past Monday, festival organizers announced the full lineup that includes Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Iris DeMent, Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets, Dry Cleaning, Horsegirl and the Young@Heart chorus, along with so many more. Who wouldn’t want to find a weekend pass to this festival in their stocking? Available at solidsoundfestival.com.

Also just announced is the Field Day Festival, which will take place at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton on May 31 to June 2. The festival debuted last year and was held at the fairgrounds in Guilford, Vermont, but it is now switching to Northampton.

The idea behind Field Day is to showcase up-and-coming artists. Some of the performers include Indigo De Souza, Nation of Language, DEHD, Geese, Butcher Brown and The Heavy Heavy. You may recognize the latter from their killer set at the 2023 Green River Festival. Another thing that makes Field Day special is its emphasis on showcasing regional talent, and they’ve put together a solid lineup of locals that you will want to check out, including Thus Love, Prewn, Love Crumbs, Sun Parade and others. The full lineup and weekend passes are available at fieldday.rock

It’s not too late to get a few holiday parties in before the arrival of Christmas. On Friday, Dec. 22, Rice: an American band and Woody & the Rebel Alliance will team up for a show at Pioneer Valley Brewery in Turners Falls at 7 p.m.

They are calling this show the Winter Warmup Event and will be accepting donations of new socks, hats, mittens and other warm clothing that will be given to members of the local community. Admission is $10 at the door.

Some of the other local breweries will be hosting Christmas parties as well. Sunny D and the Tangy Originals will be leading the festivities at Floodwater Brewing Co. in Shelburne Falls on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a Santa contest at this one. Hitchcock Brewing Co. in Bernardston will host Christmas karaoke on the same night beginning at 6 p.m. Ugly Christmas sweaters are encouraged. There is no cover for these two shows.

On Saturday, Dec. 23, Seth Glier will wrap up his three-month residency at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center with a show at 7:30 p.m. Given the timing of this event, it is going to be a holiday sing-along. Lyrics will be provided.

Glier’s residency shows have been a preview of his upcoming album “Everything” that will be released on Jan. 26. However, he has been selling the album on vinyl and CD at these shows alongside other merch. So, not only can you spend an evening singing some of your favorite holiday tunes, but you can get your last-minute shopping done at the same time.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of show. Available at hawksandreed.com.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at soundslocal@yahoo.com.