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Jimmy Foley sings to a packed Hyde Community Center at the 2025 WinterFEST Soup Social. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
“Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It’s going to be cold this weekend—oh, so very cold—with afternoon highs barely reaching 20 degrees and single digit temperatures in the evenings. Fortunately there’s lots of community love to keep everyone warm.
If you can’t beat the frosty season, you might as well enjoy it. And there’s a lot of togetherness to be had, thanks to Spark Newton, which has its annual WinterFEST all weekend long. Friday night kicks off with music and ice sculptures. Then, on Saturday, there’s drop-in time for the kids at the library and a Soup Social at the Hyde.
There’s also a movie screening in West Newton, a library book sale and a workshop on pressing flowers just in time for Valentine’s Day preparation.
Here are 11 things to do during this eventful weekend in Newton.
Editor’s note: The WinterFEST walk through Cold Spring Park has been canceled due to expected freezing temperatures. So, even WinterFEST is a victim of this winter.
Friday, Jan. 23
From 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Enjoy music and ice sculptures on the Newton Centre Green at 1221 Centre St. for the kickoff of WinterFEST.
From 6:30 to 8 p.m.: All Newton Music School will host a free concert of pop, rock, jazz and folk music performed by faculty in their lobby at 321 Chestnut St. This event is sponsored by Harsha and Sena Gopal and the Nicolazzo Family.
Saturday, Jan. 24
From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: the Friends of the Newton Free Library will host its Big Book Sale event.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: WinterFEST will have Hot Cocoa and Cool Jazz Snowflake Ice Bar with the Newtonville Area Council on the Austin Street Plaza (next to Cafe Nero, across from the Star Market parking lot).
From 2 to 3 p.m.: Learn how to press flowers at Derby Flowers, 1280 Centre St. Registration requested but not required.
From 2 to 3 p.m.: Listen to Women in World Jazz at the Newton Community Stage, 15 Walnut Park (Lincoln-Eliot School).
From 3 to 4 p.m.: Drop in at WinterFEST at the Newton Free Library at 330 Homer St. where there will be activities for children of all ages.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Eat soup and ice cream at the WinterFEST Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center at 90 Lincoln St., and meet Newton Police’s comfort dog Leo. Registration requested but not required.
Sunday, Jan. 25
From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Watch Abominable, a 2019 film about a girl finding a Yeti on her Shanghai rooftop and becoming friends, at West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St. Registration encouraged but not required.
From 1 to 2 p.m.: Dance to the music of the Stacey Peasley Band at the New Art Center, plus enjoy family arts and crafts time. Located at 61 Washington Park. Registration encouraged but not required.
From 2 to 3 p.m.: Listen to Boston Meshk Ensemble play classical Turkish music from the 17th to the 20th century at the Newton Free Library at 330 Homer St.
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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.