Unpack the Ultimate Berkshires Picnic Experience at Tanglewood

Tanglewood, a former Berkshires estate turned concert venue, has served as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer residence since 1937. Many regulars at Tanglewood's annual music festival wouldn't dream of sitting anyplace other than the beautiful, spacious lawns despite the fact that its main, outdoor arena has a capacity of more than 5,000. Follow their lead and pack a delectable picnic dinner, bring a soft blanket, and lie back on a balmy summer night to enjoy the sounds of a world-class symphony.

It's a fairly typical night at Tanglewood in that everyone else has a picnic, a blanket, and a bottle of wine with them. The lawn is a rich, well-kept summer green, and the sky is a perfect summer blue. But the Stockbridge Bowl's 250-acre grounds, which are located just past the lake, are a little busier than usual. This midsummer night's dream of a concert, an 80th birthday celebration for John Williams, the former conductor of the Boston Pops, attracted thousands of attendees. Yo-Yo Ma is scheduled to perform. James Taylor isn't, but he'll still be present as the expected surprise visitor. Overall, this concert well captures the Tanglewood experience.

• Location: Massachusetts