UPDATED: Newton Highlands to Hold First Annual Holiday Stroll

Updated Dec. 11, 1:24 p.m. with additional details on the stroll. 

Shopping, wine tasting, hot cocoa, a tree lighting and a candlelight sing-a-long; it's the perfect recipe for a holiday celebration. 

The Newton Highlands community will bring all those festive ingredients together this Friday, Dec. 14 for the village's first Holiday Stroll.

The event will take place on Lincoln Street and Walnut Street in Newton Highlands from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Sponsored by the Newton Highlands Village Merchant Coalition, the Newton Highlands Holiday Stroll follows in the footsteps of the Arts Stroll & Shop, a similar community event that takes place in Newton Centre at the beginning of December.

For those looking to shop local this holiday season, some merchants in Newton Highlands will stay open late during the Holiday Stroll. Businesses will also be offering special discounts as well as giveaways. A full list of merchant deals is available here.

The evening will also include a candlelight sing-a-long on the plaza in front of Bread & Chocolate. The sing-a-long will be led by Martha Holmes, a Newton Highlands resident and professional choir director.

Other activities planned for the Highlands Holiday Stroll include:

• Candlelight sing-a-long
• Photos with Santa
• Tree lighting on the plaza
• Wine & beer tasting
• Candy contest
• Holiday crafts
• Free hot chocolate for kids

In addition, Bread & Chocolate Bakery Cafe will host a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Social that night from 5 p.m - 8 p.m. Patrons can bring in one canned good for the Newton Food Pantry and get a soup and sandwich supper for $5. Or, patrons can bring in five cans to get the supper for free. 

Alternatively, Soup Social tickets are available for pre-purchase ($8) and a portion will be donated to the food pantry. Contact Bread & Chocolate (617-795-0500) for more details.

According to Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce President Greg Reibman, the Chamber will also be sponsoring another one if its "Ca$h Mobs" during the Newton Highlands event. 

The Ca$h Mobs, which usually last for an hour, encourage shoppers to spend at least $10 at local, village merchants. Similar events were recently held in Auburndale and West Newton.

The Newton Highlands Ca$h Mob will kick off at 6:15 p.m.

Information provided by Newton Highlands Holiday Stroll & Sing-a-long flyer.