The second weekend in October means an extra day to relax and unwind. In Newton, it comes with a celebration of the region’s indigenous tribes.
On Monday, Indigenous Peoples Day Newton will host its annual celebration on Albemarle Field, free and open to the public. There will be music, dancing and more than 70 local Indigenous vendors offering food, art and other products. The weather calls for mild temperatures in the mid-50s and a chance of a rain shower or two, so dress in layers.
Newton’s City Council voted in November 2020 to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in honor of Native American peoples and cultures. The next year, Indigenous Peoples Day Newton held its first celebration.
Native Americans have occupied what is now New England for thousands of years. Much of eastern Massachusetts and the land Newton stands on was inhabited by Wampanoag and Massachusett tribes.
For more information on Newton’s festival, visit the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton website.
There’s also a musical to check out at West Newton Cinema, a fall family party and more.
Here are five things to do in Newton this weekend.
Friday, Oct. 9
At 8 p.m., Newton Theatre Company will present “Parade,” a Tony-winning musical, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 96 Otis St., Newtonville. “Parade” is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager wrongly accused of the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan in Atlanta. If you can’t see it Friday night, don’t worry. There are performances on Saturday and Sunday, too.
Saturday, Oct. 10
From 9 a.m. to noon, Newton Community Farm will host Fall Family Fun Day, featuring pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts and more. This is not a drop-off event, so kids need to have a grown-up with them. Admission is free, and parking is available on Nahanton and Winchester streets.
From 1 to 3 p.m., West Newton Cinema will host another Musical Matinee, screening the film “Tommy” starring Roger Daltrey. “Tommy” is a rock opera about a deaf and blind boy written as an adaptation of The Who’s iconic album. Tickets are $12.
Sunday, Oct. 11
From 1:15 to 4 p.m., the Newton Recycling Committee will host a Fix-it Clinic at the Newton Free Library. You can bring broken household items and someone will guide you on how to diagnose and repair.
Monday, Oct. 12
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Newton will have its fourth annual Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration on Oct. 14 at Albemarle Field from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and attendance is free and open to the public.
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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.