In light of the current public health situation, Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) has decided to transform this year’s Holiday Festival from a one-day in-person event to a weeklong series of virtual and at-home activities and experiences.

The 35th Annual Holiday Festival will take place Tuesday, December 1 through Monday, December 7.

NYFS Executive Director Candice Bohr said one of the highlights each year for the agency is bringing people from Newtown and surrounding communities together for the Holiday Festival.

“But this year, we feel it is not responsible to bring hundreds of people together for a traditional Holiday Festival during flu/virus season in the middle of our current public health situation,” she added. “The safety of our dedicated festival-goers, community partners, sponsors, volunteers, and staff has always been and will remain our primary concern.”

The Holiday Festival staff and planning committee have been working hard to plan a festival the community can participate in from the comfort of their own homes or while safely distancing.

They are transforming favorites from the traditional event and coming up with new and exciting activities.

A preview of what’s in the works includes a virtual Festival of Trees; Elf Chats, when children of all ages will be able to chat with an elf in Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole; a virtual holiday tea & kid’s tea; Carol-O-Grams, which will send a small group of carolers to area homes to brighten the day of those within; take-home kids’ crafts; and a scavenger hunt, which will bring families together to embark on a scavenger hunt around Newtown for a chance to win a great prize.

“This year our 35th annual festival will look a little different, but we’re confident that the Holiday Festival will continue to be a great kick off to the holiday season for our community, as it has been for the past 34 years,” said Bohr. “We have the support from our largest sponsor, Newtown Savings Bank, and our community partners who help us make the festival happen!”

The Holiday Festival is the area’s longest-running holiday event and is the largest fundraiser for NYFS. The proceeds support autism programming, mental health and addiction counseling services, adolescent support groups, and much more for the children, teens, adults, and seniors of Newtown and the surrounding communities.

For more than 30 years, the nonprofit NYFS has been committed to providing high-quality human health services to promote individual and community wellness.

For additional information, including details on current services and offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic, call 203-270-4335 or visit newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.

Look for additional Holiday Festival information in The Newtown Bee as the holiday season draws nearer.