Celebrate Black History Month - Meet the Authors: Lisa Stringfellow & Phoebe Sinclair

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling with authors Lisa Stringfellow and Phoebe Sinclair. Lisa, author of A Comb of Wishes and Kingdom of Dust, and Phoebe, author of Confessions of a Candy Snatcher, will read from their books and discuss the process of creating engaging stories for young readers. This event is perfect for families and readers ages 8-12, though all are welcome! Enjoy an afternoon of literary exploration, get your books signed, and discover new stories to take home. Registration is suggested but not required. Please register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-black-history-month-storytime-and-author-event-tickets-1232944884339?aff=oddtdtcreator">here. </a>

Newtonville Books

Celebrate Black History Month - Curated Guided Tour of Sensory Garden Exhibition with Reception

Experience the intersection of art and the senses in this guided tour of the&nbsp;Sensory Garden&nbsp;exhibition, featuring the work of 23 talented artists. This innovative exhibit offers a unique opportunity to explore a sensory oasis with artwork that you can see, smell, touch, and even taste (with specific signage guiding you). The curator will lead a discussion on the political, social, and cultural themes captured in the works. Following the tour, enjoy a reception and meet fellow art lovers. Registration is suggested but not required. Please register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newton-community-pride-presents-a-guided-tour-of-sensory-garden-tickets-1205665059649?aff=oddtdtcreator">here.</a>

New Art Corridor at TRIO

Celebrate Black History Month - Behind the Screen: Nickel Boys

Join us for a powerful panel discussion on The Nickel Boys, a film based on Colson Whitehead’s impactful novel. Hosted at West Newton Cinema, this event will explore the film’s profound themes through the lens of distinguished voices from film, theater, and history. Panelists include: Theodore “Regge” Life – Renowned filmmaker, educator, and Executive Director of Global Film Network Inc. Naheem Garcia – Celebrated actor and theater educator with a distinguished career in film and theater. Bradley Craig – Assistant Professor of History and African American &amp; Black Diaspora Studies at Boston University. Moderated by: Dr. Myisha S. Eatmon – Assistant Professor at Harvard University, specializing in African American history and law. The panel is free, but reservations are suggested as space is limited. The Nickel Boys will screen beofre the discussion at noon and you may purchase tickets for the film at <a href="https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/48589?siteToken=sq9871g21qvhktp727tnes3e3g">https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/48589?siteToken=sq9871g21qvhktp727tnes3e3g</a> Registration is suggested but not required. Please register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-black-history-month-panel-discussion-on-the-nickel-boys-tickets-1232108402399?aff=oddtdtcreator">here. </a>

West Newton Cinema

Celebrate Black History Month - An evening with Pianist Mark Copeland & Guests

Join us for an evening with Mark Copeland, a talented pianist, organist, composer, and educator. Mark, his musical trio, and three wonderful singers will perform various genres of music including gospel, soul, and smooth jazz. Registration is suggested but not required. Please register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-black-history-month-an-evening-w-pianist-mark-copeland-and-guests-tickets-1234721618599?aff=oddtdtcreator">here. </a>

The Allen Center

WinterFEST

Join us for a fun-filled weekend of winter activities and community celebration at WinterFEST 2025! All events are free, accessible, and open to all. Registration is suggested using the links below but is not required. SCHEDULE  Friday, January 24th Newton Centre Green – 4:30 pm – 6:30pm (performances 5-6 pm) 1221 Centre St, Newton Centre, MA 02459 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-kickoff-event-on-the-newton-centre-green-tickets-1125487997899?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Ice Sculptures &amp; Live Carving Demo: Watch an artist carve an intricate ice sculpture in real time! ❄️ Live Music: Enjoy performances from BC Acoustics and NN Melocotones. ❄️ Glow Hula Hooper: Watch a talented hula hooper create stunning light displays as they perform. ❄️ Welcome Home Blanket Drive: Help support local residents in need by donating new or gently used blankets. ❄️ Free Hot Chocolate: Warm up with a free cup of hot chocolate while enjoying the festivities. Saturday, January 25th Cold Spring Park – 10:00 am – 11:00 am 1094 Beacon St, Newton, MA 02461 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-winter-walk-at-cold-spring-park-tickets-1125508529309?aff=erelpanelorg">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Guided Winter Walk: Join us for a scenic winter walk! Feel free to dress up your dog in costume, and don’t miss Olaf’s winter adventures. ❄️ Free Hot Chocolate: Enjoy a hot drink as you take in the natural beauty of winter. Newtonville Books – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm 10 Langley Rd, Newton, MA 02459 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-winter-story-time-tickets-1125518810059?aff=erelpanelorg">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Winter Storytime: Bring the whole family for a cozy, interactive story hour with winter-themed tales. Hyde Bandstand – 5:30 pm –7:00 pm 90 Lincoln St, Newton, MA 02461 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-soup-social-tickets-1125521518159?aff=erelpanelorg">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Community Soup Social: Warm up with a delicious bowl of soup as we come together as a community. ❄️ Surefire Band: Enjoy live music. ❄️ Brighter Ignited Interactive Public Art: Explore a stunning, interactive art installation. Sunday, January 26th West Newton Cinema – 10:00 am –11:30 am 1296 Washington St, West Newton, MA 02465 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-free-screening-of-happy-feet-at-the-west-newton-cinema-tickets-1125340045369?aff=erellivmlt">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Free Screening of Happy Feet: Gather with family and friends for a heartwarming, animated movie. New Art Center – 1:00 pm –2:30 pm 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA 02460 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterfest-family-dance-party-and-craft-tickets-1125525891239?aff=erellivmlt">REGISTER HERE</a> ❄️ Winter Craft &amp; Family Dance Party: Get creative with a fun craft activity, then dance the afternoon away with Matt Heaton and the Outside Toys. ❄️ Photo Booth: Capture the moment with fun photo booth props and winter-themed backdrops.

Newton Centre Green

Newton Community Pride's Fall Village Concert Series: Alexander Xhoja Trio

<a href="https://www.alexanderxhoja.com/biography" target="_blank">Alexander Xhoja</a>&nbsp;is a recent Newton South High School graduate and currently attends Berklee College of Music. Alexander is a talented Jazz pianist and received a “Most Valuable Player” award by the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Education in 2023. He has won many state and regional awards for his musicianship, and plans to continue developing his craft while studying at Berklee. Joining him for this concert is bassist Lucy&nbsp;Southan and drummer,&nbsp;<a href="https://harshuupd.wixsite.com/mysite" target="_blank">Harshit Upadhyaya</a>&nbsp;Registration is suggested, but not required.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncps-fall-village-concert-series-the-alexander-xhoja-trio-tickets-957489104687?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">Register here</a>

The Allen Center for the Arts

Newton Community Pride's Fall Village Concert Series: Crowes Pasture

Join Monique Byrne and Andy Rogovin for a night of moving and inspirational songs. The duo,&nbsp;<a href="https://crowespastureduo.com/about" target="_blank">Crowes Pasture,</a>&nbsp;intimately blends vocal harmonies with a unique instrumental style that is best described as “a banjo-guitar romance.” The soulful folk duo has released two EPs and three full-length albums in just six-years, and they are presently recording their third full length album. The origin of the group’s name, Crowes Pasture, comes from the salt marsh and tidal flats on the north side of Cape Cod. Registration is suggested, but not required.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/957487058567?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">Register here</a>

Suzuki School of Newton

Newton Community Pride's Fall Village Concert Series: Women in World Jazz Trio

<a href="https://womeninworldjazz.net/about/">Women in World Jazz Trio</a> is an all-female ensemble, featuring international performers from across the globe. The group showcases diverse musical styles and songs, hoping to give the audience a taste of all different cultures through their single performance. All of the group’s members have an extensive background in music and education, and the group was awarded the City of Newton New England – Universal Legendary Awards in 2019. Registration is suggested, but not required. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncps-fall-village-concert-series-women-in-world-jazz-trio-tickets-957482695517?aff=oddtdtcreator">Register here</a>

TRIO Courtyard

Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts

Newton treasure&nbsp;<a href="https://olgalisovskayasoprano.weebly.com/about.html" target="_blank">Olga Lisovskaya</a>,&nbsp;a soprano from Kiev,&nbsp;Ukraine, stands out in the classical music world for her remarkable vocal talent and impactful performances. In this year’s festival she will be performing with a string quartet. Critically acclaimed for her “wonderful coloratura soprano” abilities, Lisovskaya has excelled in roles across a broad operatic repertoire but she is also a celebrated concert singer, having performed alongside renowned soloists from the Bolshoi Theater, The Met, and La Scala.&nbsp;As the Executive Director of Commonwealth Lyric Theater and a Director of Talents of the World, Inc., Lisovskaya plays a crucial role in advancing the arts community. She is also passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge and love for music with students of all ages and levels.

Hyde Bandstand

<a href="https://www.mattjenson.com/">Matt Jenson</a>, a renowned keyboardist, composer, arranger, and performer, leads a captivating homage to Bob Marley with his ensemble, presenting the reggae legend’s iconic songs with authenticity and fervor. Jenson’s diverse career features collaborations with music luminaries like Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Chinna Smith, and many more, underscoring his deep connection to Marley’s music and philosophy. <a href="https://artofreggae.com/author/art-of-reggae/">“The Music and Life of Bob Marley” Ensemble</a> is more than a performance – it’s an invitation to explore reggae’s heart, celebrating its messages of love, unity, and resistance and a unique opportunity to experience Bob Marley’s enduring impact, reinterpreted through Jenson’s visionary lens.

<a href="https://college.berklee.edu/people/dennis-montgomery" target="_blank">Dennis Montgomery III</a>&nbsp;grew up singing and playing in Babtist churches around the upper Louisiana area under the tutelage of his father and mother.&nbsp;Shortly after he arrived at Berklee in 1983, he headed for the gospel choir which he&nbsp;believes is a fundamental ingredient of the American experience for international students. Montgomery states, “When I was young, I had to learn European musical styles. So when foreign students come to Berklee, I think it is important to educate them in a true form of American music.” The choir has launched some premiere voices in the music industry such as Paula Cole, Lalah Hathaway, Susan Tedeschi, Claude Kelly, Rob Lewis, and Mark Whitfield.

“… Take a healthy dose of Sly and The Family Stone, add a liberal pinch of Stevie Wonder, put on your dancing shoes and boogie to the music of Thaddeus Hogarth …“– –Bruce Gelerman, NPR. &nbsp; So popular with Newton audiences, Thaddeus Hogarth is making his third appearance at the Festival of the Arts and our closing performance. Bring your dancing shoes because he is a dynamic force in the contemporary music scene. Recognized for his multifaceted talent as a guitarist, vocalist, harmonica player, songwriter and educator he draws from influences rich in a tapestry of genres including funk, blues, R&amp;B, and rock. His unique sound is characterized by a blend of soulful vocals, intricate guitar work, and a deep understanding of groove, making him a standout artist in the industry. Hogarth's professional career is marked by a series of successful albums and collaborations that showcase his versatility and creativity.&nbsp; He has shared the stage with such legends as Tower of Power, Ernie Isley, Average White Band, Fred Wesley (James Brown), Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic), Matt Schofield, Steve Kimock, The Neville Brothers, Eric Gales, Johnny Winter, Donald Harrison and James Montgomery.

Amanda Shea is a distinguished spoken word artist, multidisciplinary creator, educator, and advocate, celebrated for her dynamic contributions to the arts and community activism. Her notable roles include hosting BAMSFest and numerous poetry events, leading youth workshops in spoken word, visual arts, and public speaking, and working as a publicist for hip-hop artist Brandie Blaze. Recognized among WBUR The ARTery's 25 artists of color shaping the cultural scene in 2021, Shea has significantly impacted the Boston arts community. &nbsp; In 2022, Shea was honored as the first Spoken Word Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards. Her work has been showcased in venues such as the Museum of Fine Arts and on TEDX and Netflix. Shea is also the driving force behind GBH's “Outspoken Saturdays,” offering a stage for poets in New England.&nbsp; Grey Held is a recipient of a NEA Fellowship in Creative Writing, and the 2019 Future Cycle Poetry Book Prize Winner. Three books of his poetry have been published. His poems have been included in numerous anthologies. He works with Newton arts organizations to direct projects that connect contemporary poets (and their poetry) with a wider audience. He is also a visual artist who, together with his wife, Leslie Held, has been creating public art in Newton – on doors for Newton OutDoors, on Artful Pianos, and on Jersey barriers repurposed (during Covid) to create outdoor dining places in village center parking spots.

Allen Center for the Arts

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProArteQuartet/" target="_blank">Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra</a>&nbsp;is a collection of multi-talented and accomplished chamber musicians. They return to the Festival with a supergroup of talents. Violinist&nbsp;Julia&nbsp;Cash&nbsp;serves as the concertmaster of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and has held principal positions with Opera Boston and collaborates with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and Boston Ballet. Cash’s international work includes being guest concertmaster with the Orchestra of the European Uni0n. She teaches at the New England Conservatory, Boston Latin School, and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. Her festival appearances include Academia Musicale Chigiana and Tanglewood, where she won The National Music Clubs Award. Cellist&nbsp;Leo&nbsp;Eguchi,&nbsp;known for dynamic performances across continents, participates in numerous chamber and orchestral ensembles. He has received accolades for his solo work and collaborations with diverse artists. Eguchi teaches at Boston College and assists the MIT Symphony Orchestra, with degrees in Cello Performances and Physics. Violinist&nbsp;Jeff Pearson, with a Master’s from New England Conservatory and a dual degree in math and music from Williams College, performs with the Boston Philharmonic and coaches at NEC’s preparatory school. Pearson is the winner of the Berkshire Symphony Competition. Violinist&nbsp;Yeolim Nam, born in Seoul, is an accomplished chamber musician and veteran of chamber music festivals. She has performed with multiple orchestras, including the Boston Philharmonic and the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Maine. Russian-born&nbsp;Liana Zaretsky, educated across top music schools, holds the Principal second violin position with the Portland Symphony. She performs with leading orchestras and teaches at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and the Rivers School.

Since 2013, Newton native&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hankus.netsky/" target="_blank">Hankus Netsky&nbsp;</a>(piano and accordion) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fiddlegarden.com/" target="_blank">Eden MacAdam-Somer</a>&nbsp;(violin, voice, and percussive dance) have been blending Yiddish, Hassidic, and Klezmer melodies with their rich backgrounds in Western classical music, jazz, and global folk traditions. They lead the Department of Contemporary Improvisation at the New England Conservatory in Boston and are releasing their first Jewish music album, “Give Me Back My Heart,” this spring. Hankus Netsky, a noted multi-instrumentalist, composer, and scholar of Jewish music, founded the Klezmer Conservatory Band, a globally recognized Yiddish ensemble. He has contributed significantly to Jewish music education and composition, collaborating with notable figures like Itzhak Perlman and Robin Williams. Eden MacAdam-Somer, equally accomplished, has showcased her talents internationally, including performances in Afghanistan and China, and collaborates with various ensembles while maintaining a vibrant solo career. A Houston native, she refined her craft at prestigious music schools before joining Netsky in both performance and educational endeavors.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.