The Holiday Spirit Comes to Newton's Villages this Weekend

The spirit of Christmas will fill the streets this weekend with tree lighting ceremonies in Waban and Nonantum, and the annual Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair returns to Newton South High School.

The will take place in Waban Center at the corner of Beacon and Woodward streets on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

The tree lighting is a tradition that has been going on for over 20 years in Waban, says Theresa Fitzpatrick, chair of the Waban Improvement Society.

This year, a sing-along of seasonal songs will be led by the Newton Family Singers as the tree is lit, she says. 

With Wyman Street closed off for the event, they will be giving out cookies and hot chocolate donated by Starbucks.  They will also be giving glow sticks to kids, she says. 

“It’s a very fun neighborhood event with everyone in the middle of the street,” says Fitzpatrick.  “It’s a community-building event.” 

The will also take place on Sunday, at 7 p.m. in on Watertown Street, accompanied by the annual return of a giant Santa Claus statue. 

, also on Sunday, is a great place to do some holiday shopping while celebrating the creativity of Newton artists.

Taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at , the annual juried crafts fair will feature the work of 50 local artists including weavers, jewelers, quilters, potters, printers and photographers, says Celebrate Newton’s website.

There will also be live music. 

The admission fee for the craft fair is $3 per person, and kids under 12 are free.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Newton Community Education scholarship fund.