It can be hard to feel cheery when it’s cold and the sun sets at 4 p.m. But there are plenty of fun events in Newton in December—for kids, teens and adults—to keep your spirits up.
Dec. 1: The Jackson Homestead is free on the first weekend of the month. It is a historic house at 527 Washington St. and has various exhibits, including Newton history and its use as a way station for the Underground Railroad. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 1: Brio Sonores, a Moldovan pop group, will be performing at Newton City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $80 for adults ($65 if bought in advance), $40 for ages 13-15, and free for kids under 13.
Dec. 1: There will be a park lighting in Nonantum hosted by the Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association at Coletti-Magni Park. Hot chocolate and caroling at 6:15 p.m., tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Dec. 2: The Pro Arte Bass Quintet will be performing holiday music at the Scandinavian Cultural Center at 206 Waltham Street at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 ($10 for members).
Dec. 2: Boston College will be hosting Geraldine Byrne Nason, the Irish ambassador to the United States, to talk about 100 years of US-Irish state relations. This is at the Burns Library (140 Commonwealth Ave) and begins at 4 p.m., with a reception after. This is a free event, but registration is required.
Dec. 3: Tammy Donroe Inman, an award-winning chef and dessert cookbook author, will be speaking at the Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library from 7 to 8 p.m. about New England desserts.
Dec. 5: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Durant-Kenrick House at 286 Waverley Avenue is hosting a learn-to-sew event for kids. This is intended for ages 5-15, but older and younger siblings are welcome. $5 per person (kids under 5 are free). Sign-ups required.
Dec. 5: The Gilded Harps will be performing different kinds of Latin American music on the harp at the Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library from 1 to 2 p.m. This is a free event, but registration is requested.
Dec. 5: Learn how to make a wood veneer globe at the Newton Free Library from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required.
Dec. 6: The Allen Center, located at 35 Webster Street, is hosting an evening of jazz music with Berklee College of Music students and faculty. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Dec. 6-8: There will be a mini golf course in Newton City Hall. Groups of up to ten can sign up to play together. Please bring a gift for a child; this event benefits the Holiday Gift Drive.
Dec. 6-17: Gingerbread houses from this year’s gingerbread house contest will be on display on the second floor of City Hall.
Dec. 7: The Durant-Kenrick house is free the first weekend of the month. This 18th-century house has exhibits on American history and family-friendly puzzles and activities. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 7: Rasheeda Brown will host a Kwanzaa craft event to make art to give as gifts at the New Art Center at 61 Washington Park from 12 to 3 p.m.
Dec. 7: Shira Weiss will be hosting a Hanukkah arts event from 1 to 4 p.m. at the New Art Center to make art to share light with people in your life.
Dec. 7: The Newton Theatre Company is hosting Broken Box Mime, a family-friendly event of physical storytelling. This is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at DiMauro Hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 96 Otis St. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids, and free for kids under 5.
Dec. 7: St. Ignatius Church will be hosting an Advent choral concert with medieval chant and Christmas carols at 7 p.m. at 28 Commonwealth Ave. Suggested donation of $20.
Dec. 8: The Durant-Kenrick House at 286 Waverley Ave. is hosting a candles and cards event where you can dip candles and make cards inspired by vintage greeting cards from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Dec. 8: West Newton Cinema at 1296 Washington St. is hosting a talk by Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, after the 12 p.m. screening of the film. Tickets are $20. The film is rated PG.
Dec. 8: The Jameson Singers, a choral ensemble, will be performing various pieces of classical music at the Second Church in Newton at 60 Highland St. This starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $45 for preferred seating, $30 for general admission, $15 for students, and $5 for under 18 (more expensive if you buy at the door). People with an EBT or WIC card can receive two free tickets.
Dec. 8: Lessons and carols, a service of Christmas music and readings, at Newton Highlands Congregational Church at 54 Lincoln St. at 3 p.m. There will be a reception after.
Dec. 8: The Waban Improvement Society will be lighting up the Waban Library, and all are welcome for singing, hot chocolate, and festive treats beforehand. This is at 1608 Beacon St. and starts at 4:45 p.m.
Dec. 10: The Newton Free Library will be showing Little Women (2019) from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Druker Auditorium. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. This movie is rated PG.
Dec. 10: Jazz Jam at Moldova Restaurant at 344 Watertown St, from 7 to 10 p.m. Jazz musicians of all levels are welcome to play. Tickets are $10.
Dec. 12: The Newton Free Library will be showing The Ride Ahead, a film about a young man learning how to be an adult while also having a physical disability, followed by a discussion. There will be ASL interpretation. This event starts at 6 p.m. This film is intended for teens and adults and contains some swearing and discussion of sex.
Dec. 14: Wicked-themed drag brunch at the Biltmore Bar and Grill at 1025 Chestnut St. from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.13.
Dec. 14: The Newton Free Library will be showing “Inside Out 2” from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. This movie is rated PG.
Dec. 15: There will be a Christmas parade with Santa, elves, and floats in Nonantum, hosted by the Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association. This begins at 12 p.m.
Dec. 15: The Jewish Community Center is hosting a Dreidel Disco Party with dancing, treats and Hanukkah crafts from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Tickets are $18 per family (free for members).
Dec. 15: Stephen Porter, an acclaimed solo pianist, will be giving a recital at the Newton Free Library from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library.
Dec. 18: The Newton Senior Chamber Ensemble will be performing at the Newton Free Library from 2 to 3 p.m. There will also be a holiday music sing-a-long.