“Get busy living, or get busy dying.”—Stephen King

Newton has an abundance of amusement for the stir-crazy this weekend.

The City of Newton’s Community Events & Programs department hosts SpringFest at the War Memorial Circle at City Hall on Saturday, complete with music, a carnival and a lot more fun for the whole family.

And on Sunday, the city will host its annual Memorial Day Parade, this year called the 250th Anniversary Salute to Service Parade. In years past, the parade and the Newton Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony have both been on Memorial Day weekend, but this year the city is having the parade portion a week early, so Sunday will feature the parade and next weekend, the city will have its more solemn ceremonies.

There’s also a chance to learn self-defense, a talk with a Boston Globe journalist and a whole lot more to fill up your dance card.

Here are 12 things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, May 15

From 7 to 8 p.m., Author Pernille Ipsen will be at the the Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St., talking about her book, My Seven Mothers: Making a Family in the Danish Women’s Movement. Free with registration.

At 7 p.m., there will be a semi-staged performance of “Godspell” at St. Ignatius Church, 28 Commonwealth Ave. Suggested donation is $20.

Saturday, May 16

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Newton SpringFest brings a full day of entertainment and a celebration of art for all ages, including live music and dance performances, a community art project, public art walk unveiling of student mural boards for project SHINE, craft/vendor booths, food trucks, carnival with kiddie rides and games, and more! This outdoor event takes place at the War Memorial Circle at Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.

From 12 to 3 p.m., Newton Community Farm will host its Annual Seedling Sale with nearly 100 varieties of vegetable, herb and flower seedlings for sale, along with Vermont Compost Company potting soil. Gardening experts will be there to answer your gardening questions. If you can’t make it Saturday, don’t worry. The seedling sale will be held on Sunday, too.

At 12:30 p.m., the Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St., will celebrate Norway’s National Day with food, games and a small parade. Lunch tickets will be sold at the event and are $15 for adults and $5 for children.

From 2 to 3:30 p.m.,  Daniel Mola from Atom Jiu-Jitsu & Science on Needham St. will host a free self-defense class and demonstration for all ages. This hands-on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu workshop will present useful basic principles based on leverage, balance and intelligent movement. No experience is needed. Participants should bring athletic clothing that allows free movement, sneakers (no sandals) and a bottle of water. The workshop, presented by the Newton Highlands Area Council, will take place at the Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands.

From 2 to 6 p.m., Suzuki School of Music will host a free afternoon of performances including a violin student graduation at 2 p.m., a Fiddle Jam at 3 p.m., and Nuestro Canto with Lydia Mills at 4 p.m.

From 7 to 9 p.m., The Allen Center, 35 Webster St., West Newton, will host a concert by sister duo Ari Friedman (cello and voice) and Mia Friedman (fiddle and voice) performing chamber-folk music on stage in a special CD release celebration. Tickets are $30.

Sunday, May 17

From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a Spring Tree Tour through the historic Newton Cemetery & Arboretum. This guided tour will show how the plantings in the arboretum fared over the winter, The tour will take place rain or shine. Comfortable walking shoes, water, a camera and plenty of questions are recommended. Suggested donation is $10.

At 10:15 a.m., First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton will have “Folk Music Sunday: Homeward Bound.” The FUUSN Band and FUUSN Folk Singers will present music about journeys and returning home. Admission is free.

From noon to 5 p.m., Historic Newton will host its 43rd annual Newton House Tour, showcasing historic homes throughout the villages, each selected for interesting design and renovation choices. The tour starts at Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, where you can pick up your admission wristband. General admission tickets are $50; $40 if you buy them in advance.

From 3 to 5 p.m., The city’s 250th Anniversary Salute to Service Parade, which will begin at Newton City Hall. The parade will travel up Walnut Street to Washington Street and end at Coletti-Magni Park in Nonantum.

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You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.