As snowflakes swirl in the air and temperatures drop below freezing, you might be tempted to curl up with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa this December. While staying warm, though, you’d be missing out on a magical, memorable event: the Newton Centre Holiday Shop and Stroll from 5-8PM on Thursday, December 4th.
Lauren Berman, founder of All Over Newton – an organization spotlighting local businesses to help City residents find the perfect place to “shop, dine, and unwind” – created the relatively new tradition of the Shop and Stroll. Ironically, this community-driven event was born at a time of utter disconnection – during the COVID-19 pandemic, when residents were encouraged to limit direct contact with others. As Berman explains, “[the Shop and Stroll] started when stores weren’t getting foot traffic, and more people than ever were shopping online for contact-free purchases …so some of the businesses set up outside for those who were concerned about COVID.” A haven for Newton residents looking to interact with neighbors in a safe way during that time, the Shop and Stroll has remained favored by the community ever since.
This year, there’s something for strollers of all ages – notably the Newton Police and Fire Department’s Touch-A-Truck event, where emergency vehicles will be laid out for young kids to enjoy and explore. Older, 21+ festival-goers can enjoy tastings held by the Cork & Board, Oak & Barrel, or Market-Tiamo, where they can savor a piece of panettone paired with Italian wine. No matter one’s age, though, great food can be enjoyed by all: Grab a sweet (or savory!) bite to eat with Luna’s Cakes & Coffee’s “Ultimate Hot Chocolate Bar,” free churros courtesy of Tango Mango, or Hungry Ninja’s samples of Japanese Vegan food.
The event will begin with live caroling by singers from Newton’s First Unitarian Universalist Church (FUUSN) in the Newton Centre Plaza. This venue was only recently established as a more permanent fixture in the Newton landscape, with the City Council’s November 21st vote confirming that the Plaza would remain in place.
The City’s initial Plaza proposal was met with pushback from some residents as well as from local business owners who believed that the placement of the Plaza would negatively impact the availability of parking for shoppers and reduce their stores’ visibility to potential customers. A revised plan cut the size of the plaza in half and still met some resistance. But since its grand opening, the Plaza has remained open to the public and has hosted a variety of events, such as the Newtonville Books “Plates and Prose” gathering in early September. Berman celebrates the Plaza’s renewed lifespan, saying that hosting carolers in the area is “a perfect piece of [the event].”
Berman stresses that the evening is valuable because of its charitable opportunities as well. As she mentions, “Just one evening to bring the community out to support the businesses can make [a big impact].” Visitors can help fill a Newton Police cruiser with toys in support of The Village Bank’s Holiday Gift Drive, while Welcome Home, Newton’s own pantry of home goods, is holding a blanket drive to benefit its clients. Through making a contribution to these gift and blanket drives, strollers give back to their community in a meaningful way.
Though temperatures may be frosty, festival-goers are not likely to feel the cold. Equipped with piping-hot foods, steamy seasonal drinks, and the warmth of the Newton community, strollers will be anything but icy as they come together to celebrate the season with a festive, fun evening.
Chloe Carrano is a Fig City News student reporter and a sophomore at Newton South High School.
