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Left to right: City Councilors Julie Irish, Lisa Gordon, Martha Bixby, Cyrus Dahmubed and Julia Malakie
Newtonians reveled in the frosty season this weekend, as Spark Newton held its annual WinterFEST with events all around the city before the winter storm set in.
Friday brought ice sculptures and a cappella harmony to the Newton Centre Green.
On Saturday, there an ice bar on the Austin Street Plaza, a soup party at the Hyde and more. Sunday saw some events cancelled due to the apocalyptic snowstorm barreling toward Newton.
The annual festival is meant to “build community through creativity” during what’s usually the coldest, darkest time of the year, Spark Newton Executive Director Blair Lesser Sullivan said as she was highlighting Spark Newton’s community involvement to the crowd at Newton Centre on opening night. “We do a lot of free arts and culture events, including this festival and festivals throughout the year. We do a public art initiative. We give out art scholarships and micro grants. We have a grant open now for our festival of the arts.”
Visit Spark Newton’s website to learn more about the organization. And check out these photos from WinterFEST 2026.
A sculptor creates a bear from ice during Spark Newton’s 2026 WinterFEST on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Spark Newton’s 2026 WinterFEST didn’t have a hot seat, but there was a cold seat. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Dan Gaynor of Newtonville and his daughter, Poppy, enjoy the opening night of Spark Newton’s 2026 WinterFEST in Newton Centre on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Left to right: Spark Newton Executive Director Blair Lesser Sullivan, former City Councilor Vicki Danberg (and her dog, Walker) and Newton Arts and Culture Director Meryl Kessler enjoy opening night of Spark Newton’s 2026 WinterFEST on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
The B.C. Acoustics sing a cappella on the Newton Centre Green during Spark Newton’s 2026 WinterFEST on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Left to right: Newtonville Area Council members Harvey Young, Richard Huddleston, Laura DeVeau and Suzanne Cuccurullo hand out hot cocoa on the second day of WinterFEST on Jan. 24, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Newton Arts and Culture Director Meryl Kessler, left, and Spark Newton Board Chair Gloria Gavris mingle during the second day of WinterFEST on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Newton Chief Community Services Officer John Rice welcomes guests to the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Helen Garity, new director of the Hyde Community Center, speaks to the crowd alongside her predecessor, John Rice, at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Mayor Mark Laredo, shown here with Hyde Community Center Director Helen Garity and City of Newton’s Chief Community Services Officer John Rice, welcomes guests to the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
State representatives Amy Sangiolo and Greg Schwartz pass out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
City Councilor Julia Malakie doles out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Left to right: City Councilors Randy Block, Lisa Gordon and Maria Greenberg dish out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
City Councilor Brittany Hume Charm passes out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
City Councilors Susan Albright, left, and Pam Wright, right, pass out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
City Councilor Julie Irish, shown here with State Rep. Greg Schwartz and Mayor Marc Laredo, doles out soup at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
White Collar Crime rocks the stage at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Olaf (Spark Newton Board member and Newton Beacon Board member Howard Sholkin) entertains the crowd at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center on Jan. 24, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
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