
WinterfestPreview
Newton Community Pride is hosting its 4th annual WinterFEST next weekend, Jan. 24 to 26, in Newton Centre, Cold Spring Park, Newton Highlands and West Newton.
“WinterFEST is back this season for a jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment and exciting winter-themed programming for all to enjoy,” Newton Community Pride Executive Director Blair Lesser Sullivan said. “Our end of January festival has become a calendar highlight and we are thrilled to be bringing an even bigger event back to the community for a fourth year. Many thanks to our donors and partners for helping to make this happen.”
NCP is a nonprofit building community through free and accessible arts and culture programming, public art, beautification and service projects.
All events are free and ADA-accessible, with some indoors and some outdoors.
Friday, Jan. 24
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., outside on the Newton Centre Green. Enjoy several ice sculptures and a live carving demonstration by the talented Images in Ice, entertainment featuring a glow hula hooper, BC Acoustics and Newton North’s Melocotones. Warm up under the lights with free Dunkin’ hot chocolate and churros from Tango Mango.
NCP is partnering with Welcome Home on that night, with a winter blanket collection drive on the Newton Centre Green. You can donate gently used full, queen, or king blankets (no rips or stains) at the Welcome Home table any time during that night’s event.
After the event, Oak N’ Barrel will have an exclusive wine and spirits tasting and Tango Mango will have live music featuring the funk/pop/jazz group ZOVA.
Saturday, Jan. 25
At 10 a.m., the Newton Conservators and Olaf from Frozen will host a family-friendly dog walk (leashed) along the 1.5-mile wooded trail of Cold Spring Park. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the Beacon Street entrance and proceed left to the trail entrance near the sports fields. The walk will end with complimentary hot chocolate. Dogs are encouraged to wear costumes.
At 1 p.m., Newtonville Books will host a Winter Storytime.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Community Soup Social at the Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands. Hot bowls of soup will be provided by local restaurants and served by Newton notables while the Surefire Band performs on the Hyde Bandstand. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served, too. This event will be moved indoors if the weather gets rough.
Sunday, Jan. 26
From 10 to 11:30 a.m., West Newton Cinema will host a screening of the movie “Happy Feet.” Free popcorn will be available for all attendees.
Then from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the New Art Center in Newtonville will host a family-friendly dance party with Matt Heaton & The Lost Toys. There will also be winter crafts and a photo booth at the party.
The Village Bank is the 2025 WinterFEST Presenting Sponsor. For more information or to register for any of the events, visit newtoncommunitypride.org/winterfest.