On December 5th residents of Newtown and the surrounding communities can return to Main Street for the 36th Annual Holiday Festival, an event that’s become a much-loved tradition for families. After taking a year off, due to COVID, Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) is happy to bring back the Holiday Festival which will be bigger with more activities than ever before.
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 3 primary locations: Edmond Town Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church and C.H. Booth Library. The 3 primary locations will be connected by an Outdoor Holiday Market & Stroll featuring local food merchants and vendors selling handmade goods. In addition, there will be a kid’s activity, Superhero Academy, at Newtown Hook & Ladder which is right behind Trinity Church and a historic trolley ride through the Newtown Borough.
The December 5th 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 and end on that day. There are other Holiday Festival activities and events that start prior to the 5th like the Scavenger Hunt which is on December 4th and Elf Chats which begin on December 2nd and end on December 20th.
Below is a list of ALL Holiday Festival activities and events with dates and locations:
Letters to Santa - Nov. 5th - Dec. 15th, Mailbox located at The Toy Tree, 32 Church Hill Road, Newtown.
Children can write a letter to Santa and receive a personalized handwritten response back in time for Christmas! Letters, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, should be brought to The Toy Tree and placed in the Letters to Santa mailbox. Registration not required.
Bedtime Stories with Santa - Dec. 2nd, Dec. 8th, Dec. 15th, Facebook
Join Santa at the North Pole while he reads a few of his favorite stories for bedtime. Stories will be aired at 7:00pm on the dates listed above. If you miss it or if you want to watch again, the video will remain on Facebook. Registration is not required.
Elf Chats - Live from the North Pole!
Back by popular demand! - Dec. 2nd - Dec. 20th, Virtual.
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. 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 required.
Scavenger Hunt - Dec. 4th, Starts at Newtown Youth & Family Services.
Bring the family together and embark on a scavenger hunt around Newtown for a chance to win $500 towards a Disney destination vacation package! Teams will be asked to complete tasks to receive clues. Whoever finishes first wins! Only 27 teams can participate so space is limited! Registration required.
Silent Auction - Dec. 4th - Dec. 10th, Online.
Businesses and members of the community donated gift baskets, experiences, products, gift certificates and more. View all items and submit bids using an online platform. Registration not required.
December 5th Holiday Festival on Main Street
Festival of Trees - Dec. 4th, Dec. 5th, Dec. 11th - Trinity Episcopal Church, Glover Community Room.
All decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and gift baskets will be on display and ready for raffle ticket sales on December 4th. You can also visit and purchase tickets on December 5th during the Holiday Festival on Main Street and December 11th. NYFS will also open the Festival of Trees to specialty groups during the week of December 6th. Winners will be picked at 2:15pm on December 11th. Registration not required. Although, if you would like to bring a group during the week please contact Susan Smith, 203-270-4335, ssmith@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.
The Nutcracker Suite Ballet - Dec. 5th, Edmond Town Hall Theater. Newtown Centre of Classic Ballet & Voice will present two showings of The Nutcracker Suite Ballet. One showing is included in the general Holiday Festival ticket but you can also purchase Ballet only tickets and/or a recording of the Ballet. Registration is required.
Cultural Entertainment & Confections NEW! - Dec. 5th, Edmond Town Hall, Alexandria Room.
Celebrate world cultures through music, dance, and food. Pick up a box of confections to enjoy at home or while watching and listening to music and performance art. Included in the general Holiday Festival ticket.
Outdoor Holiday Market & Stroll NEW! - Dec. 5th, Along Main Street.
As you stroll to and from each Holiday Festival activity, take the opportunity to get some holiday shopping done while visiting with vendors showcasing handmade goods. You can also grab a bite to eat from one of the food merchants, listen to carolers and the Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band, take pictures with Santa and visit with Disney Princesses. Included in the general Holiday Festival ticket.
Historic Trolley Tour - Dec. 5th, Departs from outside Edmond Town Hall.
An intimate tour of Main Street starting at Edmond Town Hall and proceeding down to Pleasance Park, stopping frequently to hear stories of what happened among the houses that line the historic street. One ride is included in the general Holiday Festival ticket but there is limited availability, first come, first served.
Edible Creations Competition - Dec. 5th, Trinity Episcopal Church, Glover Community Room.
Sugar cubes, gum drops, marshmallows, graham crackers and more...This is more than just gingerbread! Join in on the fun by creating an edible display OR participate by voting! The winner receives a prize. Viewing and voting is included in the general Holiday Festival ticket. There is no cost to submit a display but donations are appreciated. If you would like to submit a display please contact Kim Merrill, 203-426-9060, kmerrill@trinitynewtown.org.
Kid’s Activities - Crafts, Stories & Disney Princesses - Dec. 5th, C.H. Booth Library.
Listen to Princess Belle read a story, do some crafts with the help of Princess Rapunzel and get your picture taken with both princesses. Crafts will happen all day but there is a schedule for story time and photo ops. Call or check our website for the schedule. Included in the general Holiday Festival ticket.
Superhero Academy with Spiderman & Wonder Woman - Dec. 5th, Newtown Hook & Ladder.
Jump, climb and crawl your way through Superhero Academy, with the guidance of Spiderman and Wonder Woman, to become a real superhero. After completing Superhero Academy participants will get a cape, mask, certificate and photo with Spiderman and Wonder Woman. Included in the general Holiday Festival ticket.
Volunteers
NYFS needs your help to pull off this massive event! Without volunteers the Holiday Festival can’t happen so if you need to complete volunteer hours or if you just want to volunteer please consider volunteering at the Holiday Festival. Volunteer opportunities are listed on the NYFS website along with the Holiday Festival information. You can also contact Susan Smith, 203-270-4335, ssmith@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.
Festival of Trees Donations
NYFS is looking for decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and gift baskets for the Festival of Trees. Decorating and donating an item to the Festival of Trees can be a fun family activity or an activity to do with friends. It’s also a great activity for scout programs and other youth organizations. Interested in participating? Visit the NYFS website or contact Susan Smith, 203-270, 4335, ssmith@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.
Holiday Festival Tickets and Registration Ticket sales and registration are happening online right now! Some activities require advanced registration and some require a Holiday Festival ticket. If you buy your ticket to the Holiday Festival on Main Street ahead of time you will save money and you won’t need to wait in the ticket line at the event. For pricing information, to register and pre-purchase tickets, visit the NYFS website www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org. If you need help you may also call NYFS at 203-270-4335.
The Holiday Festival is the largest fundraiser for NYFS. The proceeds support autism programming, mental health and addiction counseling services, adolescent support groups, community services and much more for the children, teens, adults and seniors of Newtown and surrounding communities.
About Newtown Youth and Family Services
Newtown Youth and Family Services [NYFS] is a non-profit youth service bureau and mental health clinic for children, teens, adults and seniors. For over 35 years, NYFS has been committed to providing high quality human health services to promote individual and community wellness. Specialized services include: outpatient individual, couples and family counseling, substance abuse treatment services, Autism and social skills programs, prevention initiatives and support groups. For services or information call 203-270-4335 or visit www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.
