Newton WinterFEST Returns To Garden City For 2024

NEWTON, MA — The third annual Newton WinterFEST will return to the Garden City for 2024 with events at four locations across the city on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28.

This year's events will take place at Cold Spring Park, Newton Highlands, Newton Centre and Newtonville.

"WinterFEST is back this season for a weekend of free and accessible family entertainment and exciting winter-themed programming for all to enjoy," Newton Community Pride Executive Director Blair Lesser Sullivan said. "Our end-of-January festival has become a calendar highlight and we are thrilled to be bringing it to the community for a third year. This year's event includes even more activities as well as a new venue, New Art Center."

The Jan. 27 morning event will be at Cold Spring Park where the Newton Conservators and Olaf from Frozen will host a family- and dog-friendly (on-leash) winter walk around the 1.5-mile wooden trail. The walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Beacon Street entrance.

Complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and donuts will be available after the walk.

The afternoon event on Jan. 27 will take place between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Hyde Community Center. There will be a community soup social with soup from area restaurants and a live performance from the Timba Messengers. There will also be a glow-in-the-dark hula hoop, Brighter Ignited public art, Olaf from Frozen appearance, and an appearance from Leo the community police resource dog. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

The Jan. 28 event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newton Centre Village Green with live music from Elsa from Frozen, the ZOVA Quartet, Newton North's Melocotones and Northern Lights acapella groups, BC's B.E.A.T.S, a Lion Dance from Wu An Martial Arts, and Indigenous performance from Tokalli Macehualli.

There will also be ice sculptures and a live sculpting demonstration from Images In Ice. Attendees can enjoy a photo booth, paint a plow with the Newton DPW, free hot chocolate and a Winter Pop-Up Market with crafts and goodies.

The NCP is also holding a winter blanket collection drive on the Newton Centre Green and has partnered with Welcome Home, a Newton non-profit providing families experiencing hardship with high-quality household items. Bring new or gently used full, queen, or king blankets (no rips or stains) and drop them off at the Welcome Home table during WinterFEST hours.

The final event of the weekend will be at the New Art Center from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. where there will be a family-friendly dance party with Josh and the Jamtones to go along with free hot chocolate and a winter craft sale.

The Village Bank is the 2024 WinterFEST Presenting Sponsor.