For the 34th year, families and friends are invited to head to Main Street from 11 am to 4 pm Sunday, December 8, for the Holiday Festival, an event that has become a much-loved holiday tradition in Newtown.

As one of the area’s longest running holiday events, the Holiday Festival includes activities for all ages to enjoy including the Festival of Trees, Holiday House Tours, The Nutcracker Suite Ballet, kid’s activities and special guest appearances from favorite Frozen characters.

The theme for the 34th year is “Frozen Winter Wonderland” which means Elsa, Anna and Olaf will be present throughout the event.

The festival is not only a great way to kick off the holiday season and have fun, it’s also the largest fundraiser for Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS).

“We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from the community and our sponsors,” says NYFS Executive Director Candice Bohr. “Without the event donations, volunteered time, and financial support we receive from local businesses and community members, the Holiday Festival wouldn’t be possible.

"Year after year," she continued, "we are overwhelmed by our Platinum Sponsor Newtown Savings Bank and their generosity. They continue to support our mission and initiatives."

Melissa Cercone, marketing director for NYFS, says attendees come from the tri-state area.

“People from all over Connecticut come to the Holiday Festival,” she said. “We even get people from New York and Massachusetts.

“For our attendees this event is a tradition, a girls’ day out, a chance to learn about Newtown’s history, an opportunity to see Santa, or a child’s dream to meet a Disney princess.”

Attending the festival means more than fun for those who spend time along Main Street.

“By attending the Holiday Festival they are supporting Autism programming, mental health and addiction counseling services, adolescent support groups, and everything else that NYFS offers to the community,” Ms Cercone pointed out.

Activities and events that make up the Holiday Festival will take place at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street; C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; and Trinity Church, 36 Main Street. In addition to these locations, the festival features a narrated historic trolley ride through the Newtown Borough and a tour of homes decorated for the holiday season.

Participating homes are located along and near Main Street.

The Festival of Trees, with extended hours this year, will be at C.H. Booth Library.

Decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces and gift baskets will be on display and ready for raffle ticket sales starting on Saturday, December 7. Patrons purchase raffle tickets then place their ticket(s) into the box for the item they would like to win.

Ticket sales continue on Sunday, December 8, from 11 am until 4 pm, with the drawing taking place immediately after.

This is the only Holiday Festival activity that does not require a Holiday Festival ticket.

Holiday House Tours will allow ticket holders to tour beautifully decorated homes located on and around Main Street. Local designers, including Queen Street Gifts and Elegant Windows, teamed up with those who volunteered their homes to create a festive display of fresh pine swag and sweeping garland with twinkling lights. A complimentary shuttle will be available.

The Nutcracker Suite Ballet will be performed by students of Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice at noon and 2 pm, in the Edmond Town Hall Theatre.

A condensed version of the full-length ballet will also include a story narrative.

One showing is included with the Holiday Festival ticket. Ballet tickets can be purchased individually for $8.

Holiday Tea, where guests can relax, listen to musical performers, sip a cup of tea and enjoy a bite to eat, will return to The Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall.

The room, transformed into a Holiday Tea Café, will be open from noon until 4 pm.

Kid’s Tea & Sing-Along with Elsa and Anna will feature hot cocoa, music and merriment from 11 am until noon in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall.

Afterwards, Elsa and Anna will head to C.H. Booth Library for a meet & greet and photo op from noon until 1 pm.

During the afternoon at the library, Kid’s Activities will also include Cookie Decorating (1-3:30 pm), Letters for Santa, and Crafts (11 am-4 pm).

Children of all ages are also invited to have Ice Cream with Olaf, at Trinity Episcopal Church, from 2 to 3:30 pm. While there guests can also make a snowflake craft.

Historic Trolley Tours will offer a chance to sit back, relax and take in all the beautiful history Main Street in Newtown has to offer. A spirited tour guide will narrate the rides, running from Edmond Town Hall to The Pleasance at 1 Main Street, with frequent stops to tell stories and the history of Main Street and the houses that line the historic street.

Tours are 30 minutes each and will depart at 11:15 am, noon, and 1:15, 2, 2:45 and 3:30 pm. Seating is limited; trolley tickets can be picked up outside Edmond Town Hall, otherwise the rides are first-come, first-served.

Finally, the festival will offer an Edible Creations Competition & Display: sugar cubes, gum drops, marshmallows, graham crackers and more… It’s more than just gingerbread, organizers promise.

Stop by Trinity Church between 11 am and 3:30 pm to view all of the competition entries. Judges will announce the winners at 3:30 pm.

Ticket Details

Tickets for the 34th Newtown Holiday Festival are $15 for adults in advance, $13 senior citizens (ages 60+), $8 for ages 2-14, free for those under 2, and $30 for a family four-pack (two adults, two children).

Advance tickets can be purchased at Newtown Savings Bank (Main Street and Sand Hill Plaza locations); NYFS, 15 Berkshire Road; or C.H. Booth Library.

Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org before 11:59 pm Saturday, December 7.

On December 8, tickets will be $18 for adults, $15 seniors, $10 ages 2-14, and $36 for a family four-pack.

Same day tickets will be available for purchase at Edmond Town Hall and C.H. Booth Library. Additional information about the Holiday Festival can be obtained by calling 203-270-4335 or visiting the NYFS website.