September is a big month for monarch butterflies as the beautiful winged wonders prepare for their fall migration south. Monarchs are a big deal, as pollinators play a vital role in maintaining life on Earth. And they’re really pretty.

You can learn more about them at the Monarch Festival this weekend. And in keeping with that theme, there’s a Pollinator Garden Tour hosted by the Newton Conservators.

This is also a special weekend because we get two village days. Last Sunday, the Upper Falls Village Day was rescheduled for this Saturday because of rain. And this Sunday, Newtonville is having its village day.

Here are five things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, Sept. 18

From 6 to 8 p.m., the band Hurry Sundown will close out the Hyde’s Summer in the Highlands concert and movie series. The after-concert film will be “School of Rock” starring Jack Black.

Saturday, Sept. 19

From 9 to 10:30 a.m., the Sixth Annual Monarch Festival will be held at Wellington Park on Kilburn Road. There will be a play area with arts and crafts for the kids, monarch butterflies displayed in each stage of their life cycle, from eggs to butterflies ready to be released. Admission is free.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Scandinavian Cultural Center will host a Runes 101 Seminar, teaching about ancient symbols of the Norse world. The instructor will be Behzad “Bear” Bakhshandeh, an initiated Shaman in the Northern Tradition Shamanism Guild and practicing Norse Pagan.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Upper Falls Village Day, postponed from last Sunday, will take over Pettee Square. There will be live music, dancing, a bouncy house, a petting zoo and more.

From 12 to 4 p.m., the Newton Conservators will host their Fourth Annual Newton Pollinator Garden Tour. Homeowners will share ideas and answer questions about their pollinator gardens, and most public spaces on the tour are self-guided. Register to get an advance map and descriptions of the featured gardens. Admission is free.

Sunday. Sept. 20

From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Newtonville Village Day, hosted by the Newtonville Area Council,  will take over part of Walnut Street and the plaza next to Caffe Nero, which will be renamed in honor of former Mayor Setti Warren. There will be games, rides, about 75 vendors, live music and a big cake.

From 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St., will have its Community Expo after worship services. Representatives from the organization’s committees and action groups will be there to talk about opportunities to explore at FUUSN.

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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.