“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” — Hal Borland, journalist

The holiday season and the year are almost over as we’ve passed the halfway mark through December. There are Chanukah events, Christmas events and a holiday farmers market. This weekend also brings Winter Solstice, that time of year when the sun is farthest from the northern half of the planet and the days are the shortest of the year, and there’s an event for that, too.

Here are five things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, Dec 19

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Beth Menachem Chabad will host a special Chanukah version of their ‘Tot Shabbat,’ with latkes, challah, and Hanukkah music and movement. For children ages 0 to 4 and their caregivers. Free, but registration requested. Located at 349 Dedham St.

At 5:30 p.m.: There will be a Chanukah Shabbat dinner at Chabad of Newton Centre, 32 Loring Street. $55 for adults, $36 for children.

Saturday, Dec. 20

From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Newton Holiday Farmers Market will be held in Cold Spring Park. This pre-holiday shopping event will feature local farmers, cookies, pastries, olive oil, dumplings, meat pies and more. Pocket Watch Bakery will also have it charming, old-fashioned gingerbread men.

From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Newton Free Library will host Newton Folk Music with a wide range of traditional to contemporary folk songs. Singers and instrumentalists of all levels are welcome. Everyone will have the chance to suggest a song, and printed songbooks with selected favorites will be provided for participants to use during the session. This program is geared toward adults.

Sunday. Dec. 21

From 7:30 to 8 p.m., the Episcopal Parish of St. Paul will join with Grace Church and St. Mary’s for a Longest Night service. Also known as a Blue Christmas Liturgy, the Service of Solace and Strength usually occurs on or around Dec. 21. All are welcome.

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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.