- Parking at Tanglewood is free, but much of it is a distance from performance settings, so you'll want to pack as lightly as possible.

- Spreading out a picnic blanket is the ideal way to go, but check to see if there has been rain in western Massachusetts. If so, your seating will soak through and leave you in an uncomfortable bind. Lawn chairs are a good solution, but remember, you'll have to carry them quite a distance. As an alternative, lawn chairs can be rented at Tanglewood for $4 cash each. Lawn chairs are available at the Grille at the Main Gate entrance for Shed concerts or at the Bernstein Gate for Ozawa Hall concerts.

- Some ambitious picnickers will actually set up canopies. If it's windy, don't spread your blanket close by, as they may blow over. If you have lawn seats and it looks like rain, make friends with these people if you can! If you've brought along a big, tent-like contraption, set it up on the very outskirts of the lawn seating area as a courtesy to your fellow concertgoers.

- A nice bottle of wine is a must. If you don't drink alcohol, substitute sparkling cider or grape juice. But remember... bring a corkscrew! If you do, you're bound to meet some of your fellow concertgoers, who will be searching about for a neighbor on the next blanket who planned ahead.

- Candles are a nice touch, and citronella candles can help to keep your picnic area bug-free. That said, be very cautious on windy evenings that your picnic blanket doesn't blow up and come in contact with the flames. Igniting your blanket during a symphony performance is a big no-no.

- Pack as much of your picnic food in disposable containers as possible so that you'll have a lighter load to carry out when the concert is through.

- My favorite Tanglewood picnic foods include:
Cold Quiche
Brie and Crackers 
Cold Cooked and Seasoned Chicken Breasts
Wheat Pita Bread and Hummus
Celery and carrot sticks
Seedless Green Grapes
Strawberries
Peaches
A Thermos of hot herbal tea
Chocolate Chip Cookies or anything chocolate!

Need more ideas? About's Home Cooking Guide Peggy Trowbridge provides links to Picnic Food Recipe Collections. You might want to click through my ever-growing collection of New England Recipes for inspiration, too!

Bon Appetit!