
winterfest-2024
“Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.”—George R.R. Martin
Winter is here. And it’s chilly.
Fortunately, Newton has a lot to keep you occupied and entertained as the annual WinterFEST celebration takes over the city for three days. And just a note on that: The Soup Social part of WinterFEST on Saturday has been moved indoors due to the cold. A bunch of the other events will still be outdoors though, so wear layers.
There’s so much going on, this weekly column is a bit more robust.
Here are eight things to do in Newton this weekend.
Friday, Jan. 24
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., WinterFEST will start outside on the Newton Centre Green, with several ice sculptures and a live carving demonstration by the talented Images in Ice, entertainment featuring a glow hula hooper, BC Acoustics and Newton North’s Melocotones. Warm up under the lights with free Dunkin’ hot chocolate and churros from Tango Mango. NCP is partnering with Welcome Home on that night, with a winter blanket collection drive on the Newton Centre Green. You can donate gently used full, queen, or king blankets (no rips or stains) at the Welcome Home table any time during that night’s event.
At 6:30 p.m., All Newton Music School will host its Global Harmonies Concert, part of the Paulette Bowes Friday Night Faculty Series, featuring pieces from the home countries of faculty members including Korea, Japan, Colombia, Poland and Brazil.
At 8 p.m., the Newton Theatre Company will perform Dracula, featuring Linda Goetz in the starring role. The play explores themes of desire and dominance through unconventional casting and intimate staging in a retelling of Brak Stoker’s classic.
Saturday, Jan. 25
At 10 a.m., the Newton Conservators and Olaf from Frozen will host a family-friendly dog walk (leashed) along the 1.5-mile wooded trail of Cold Spring Park. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the Beacon Street entrance and proceed left to the trail entrance near the sports fields. The walk will end with complimentary hot chocolate. Dogs are encouraged to wear costumes.
From 2 to 3:30 p.m., the Newton Free Library will host an event, “Celebrating the Lunar New Year,” featuring a cultural performance to celebrate and learn about Lunar New Year this Year of the Snake as well as various Asian costumes, dances and songs that celebrate the new year. This program is cosponsored by Newton Education Support Network, Chinese American Association of Newton and Newton Chinese Language School.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., as part of WinterFEST, there will be a Community Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands. The event has been moved indoors due to the cold. Hot bowls of soup will be provided by local restaurants and served by Newton notables while the Surefire Band performs on the Hyde Bandstand. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served, too.
Sunday, Jan. 26
From 10 to 11:30 a.m., West Newton Cinema will host a screening of the movie “Happy Feet.” Free popcorn will be available for all attendees.
From 1 to 2:30 p.m., as part of WinterFEST, the New Art Center in Newtonville will host a family-friendly dance party with Matt Heaton & The Lost Toys. There will also be winter crafts and a photo booth at the party.