On Sunday, December 4th, residents of Newtown and surrounding communities can return to Main Street for Newtown Youth and Family Services’ 37th Annual Holiday Festival with Newtown Savings Bank as the Premier Sponsor.
This event has become a much-loved tradition for families; even Santa Claus is bringing his family this year. Mrs. Claus will also join in the fun and help spread some holiday cheer.
As one of the area’s longest running holiday events, the Holiday Festival includes activities for all ages that are spread out along Main Street in three primary locations: Edmond Town Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, and C.H. Booth Library. The three locations are connected by an Outdoor Holiday Market featuring local food merchants and vendors selling handmade goods. In addition – there will be a historic trolley ride through the Newtown Borough.
The Holiday Festival is the largest fundraiser for NYFS. Proceeds support autism programming, mental health and additional counseling services, adolescent support groups, community services, and much more for the children, teens, adults, and seniors of Newtown and surrounding communities.
December 4th Holiday Festival on Main Street
General admission Holiday Festival tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and children ages 2-12 if purchased by November 30th. On December 1st, tickets will increase to $22 for adults, $18 for children ages 2-12, and tickets for senior citizens will remain at $15. Children under 2 are free.
A general admission ticket includes one performance of The Nutcracker Suite, Outdoor Holiday Market, Festival of Trees viewing, Children’s Activities at the Library including Arts & Crafts and Princess Storytime, Superhero Academy, Gingerbread House viewing and voting, Cookies with Mrs. Claus, and one Historic Trolley Tour. All activities begin at 11:00 am.
For those who wish to only attend one performance of the ballet, separate tickets can be purchased for $12.
Tickets are available through the NYFS website at www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org. For additional assistance, contact the organization’s office at 203-270-4335.
The following is a list of this year’s Holiday Festival activities and details.
The Nutcracker Suite, sponsored by Kevin Alves Electric, will be performed in the theater of Edmond Town Hall. Students of Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice will offer two performances of the holiday classic at 12 pm and 2 pm.
Outdoor Holiday Market & Stroll, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, is returning along Main Street after a very successful first year. While strolling between festival activities, holiday shopping can be done while visiting with vendors showcasing handmade goods and more. Food will be available to eat from food merchants. Carolers and musicians will be performing along the way and photo opportunities with Santa Claus will be available.
Historic Trolley Tours, sponsored by Newtown Family Dentistry, will depart from and return to Edmond Town Hall. Reservations will be available inside the town hall lobby and will be first-come, first-served due to limited seating.
Due to popular demand, additional times have been added this year with 8 chances to catch a tour. Tours will depart at 11:10 am, 11:45 am, 12:20 pm, 12:55 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:05 pm, 2:40 pm, 3:15 pm. The tour along Main Street will travel south to The Pleasance, stopping frequently to hear stories of what happened among the houses and buildings that line this historic street.
Gingerbread House Competition, sponsored by Ingersoll Auto, will be offered at Trinity Episcopal Church. All are invited to join the fun by entering the competition and/or voting for your favorite. There is no cost for entry. Entry criteria and drop-off times are available on the NYFS website. Voting will be done during the festival on December 4th and winners will be announced at 4:15 pm. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Anyone interested in entering is encouraged to contact Susan Smith at 203-270-4335 or SSmith@NewtownYouthandFamilyServices.org.
Kid’s Crafts, sponsored by Fraser Woods Montessori School and Baum Braces, and Storytime & Photos with Princesses, sponsored by Macaroni KID, will be presented at C.H. Booth Library. Children can listen to Princess Belle read a story, do some crafts with Princess Cinderella, and/or have their photo taken with both princesses.
Crafts will happen all day, but there is a schedule for storytime and photo ops available on the NYFS website.
Superhero Academy, sponsored by Newtown Hardware, will be held at Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium. Returning by popular demand after a very successful first year, children will be invited back to jump, climb, and crawl their way through an obstacle course with the guidance of Spider-Man and Wonder Woman and become a real superhero. After completing the Superhero Academy, participants will receive a cape, mask, and certificate.
Cookies with Mrs. Claus, sponsored by Newtown Savings Bank, is a new activity happening in the Johnson Room at Trinity Episcopal Church. Children will be welcomed by Mrs. Claus to help her decorate her famous cookies and write a letter to Santa that Mrs. Claus will hand deliver. Photo opportunities will be available while meeting her. Children will be able to take home their decorated cookie.
Cookie decorating and letter writing will happen all day, but there is a schedule for Mrs. Claus available on the NYFS website.
Silent Auction, sponsored by Caraluzzi’s and Boost Bowls, will be on display for viewing in the Glover Community Room at Trinity Episcopal Church on December 4th. This online activity will run from November 28th - December 10th.
Businesses and members of the community donated gift baskets, experiences, products, gift certificates, and more. Shoppers can view all items and submit their bids using an online platform accessed through the NYFS website.
Festival of Trees, sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church, will be conducted Friday through Sunday, December 2nd – 4th in the Glover Community Room at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and gift baskets will be on display and ready for raffle ticket sales on December 2nd from 5 pm – 8 pm, December 3rd from 10 am – 4 pm, and December 4th 11 am – 4 pm. Tickets are $2 for one ticket, $15 for ten tickets, and $20 for 20 tickets.
Winners will be announced on December 4th at 4:15 pm.
Anyone interested in donating an item to the Festival of Trees is encouraged to contact Susan Smith at 203-270-4335 or SSmith@NewtownYouthandFamilyServices.org. Donation drop-off schedule is listed on the NYFS website.
Concession Stand, sponsored by Connie Widmann and Team at William Raveis Real Estate, will be available inside the lobby at Edmond Town Hall. Enjoy some pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, water, soda, hot chocolate and more.
Holiday Festival beyond Main Street
The December 4th festival on Main Street will be chock-full of activities with something for all generations to enjoy, but the Holiday Festival fun does not start or end on that day. Santa and his family are connecting with the Newtown community throughout the holiday season. Children can receive a personalized letter from Santa Claus or a personalized chat with his elves. They can even hear Santa read some of his favorite holiday books for bedtime.
For events that require registration, visit www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org and click on the green Holiday Festival button in the upper right corner of the home page.
Letters to Santa, sponsored by The Toy Tree
Through December 15th, a North Pole mailbox will remain located at The Toy Tree in The Village at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road.
Children can write a letter to Santa Claus and receive a personalized handwritten response back in time for Christmas. Letters, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, should be hand delivered to The Toy Tree and placed in the Letters to Santa mailbox.
This activity is free of charge and registration is not required.
Bedtime Stories with Santa, sponsored by Quality Dry Basements on Wednesday, November 30th, Saturday, December 3rd, and Thursday, December 8th live on Facebook at 7 pm.
* Join Santa at the North Pole while he reads a few of his favorite bedtime stories.
* For those who miss a bedtime story or want to watch again, the video will remain on Facebook.
This activity is free of charge and registration is not required.
Elf Chats Live from the North Pole, sponsored by NewSylum Brewing Co.
Elf Chats will be offered from December 6th to December 16th.
Children can talk with one of Santa’s elves, live from the North Pole, during a 10-minute Zoom call. This is a totally personalized experience. During their scheduled visit, children can ask questions, see what the elves are working on, read a story, sing songs, etc. Elf Chats include a personalized handwritten letter from Santa following the chat.
Registration is required for this activity. Cost is $15 for up to two children, $20 for three children, and $25 for four children. Having more than four children during the short chat does not allow for much time for each child.
Family Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by The Around Town Real Estate Team
The third annual Scavenger Hunt will be on Saturday, December 3rd, starting from the NYFS office at 15 Berkshire Road. The event begins at 10am and is expected to last until 12pm.
Registration is required and space is limited. Cost is $25 per team. Teams of 2 to 6 people will be sent around Newtown to complete tasks to receive the next clue.
Grand prize is a Visa gift card for $300. All teams that complete the scavenger hunt in 2 hours will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a Visa gift card for $100.
Volunteer Opportunities
NYFS needs help to pull off this massive event. For anyone who needs volunteer hours or is simply interested in offering their time, volunteer opportunities are available for most Holiday Festival activities. To register, contact Susan Smith at 203-270-4335 or SSmith@NewtownYouthandFamilyServices.org.
Sponsors
“The Holiday Festival is only possible due to the care and dedication of our local businesses. Without their financial and volunteer support, this event would not be as successful as it is,” said Candice Bohr, Executive Director of NYFS. We are infinitely grateful for all of our sponsors including: Newtown Savings Bank, M&T Bank, New Insights Boutique, Interstate Propane/People’s Oil, and Nuvance Health.