In order to meet state and local COVID guidelines and for the safety of all, every person attending (including children) must be registered in advance. We also ask that all participants wear masks and remain physically distant.

In the event of rain, the days festivities will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 16th.

FREE tickets are available HERE.

Additional time info:

Family Fun Day Schedule of Events:

10:30 – 11:30am: Tanglewood Marionettes at Newton Centre Playground
Join the Tanglewood Marionettes for a theatrical production of An Arabian Adventure. Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette theater based in New England. Large, beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, colorful sets, and integrated lighting and sound create a fully immersive theatrical experience. These highly skilled puppeteers have spent many years perfecting their art, delighting audiences of all ages as they bring our repertoire of classic tales to life.

1:00 – 2:00pm: Drum Circle on Newton Centre Green
Marcus Santos of Grooversity will lead a multi-generational drum circle at Newton Centre Green! The beat of the drum offers an accessible entry point for people of all ages and abilities. Through guidance and demonstration on basic drums and percussion instruments, entire families will be drumming along and having fun together in no time! Bring something to drum on – a bowl, a pot, a cup – anything to make some noise! Each family will receive a free hand drum with their registration.

Grooversity is an innovative and creative drumming project envisioned by Brazilian percussionist Marcus Santos to promote music as an educational resource, entertainment and as a catalyst for social change. Grooversity is based on community outreach for positive outcome while targeting global diversity awareness.

3:00 – 4:00pm : Story Starters Workshop at the Hyde Center Bandshell
Story Starters program will open with a kid-friendly introduction of Story Starters followed by a read aloud by Newton-based author Mia Wenjen. Mia will share her book Sumo Joe and the story behind how it was written! Her read aloud will inspire kids and model for the adults the way in which books can be a tool in starting conversations about race. The first 50 families to register will be able to pick up their own copy of Sumo Joe at the event. Additional copies of Sumo Joe and other Story Starters favorite children’s book titles will be available for pre-order at Newtonville Books and pick-up at the event.

Story Starters supports parents in disrupting racial bias and preparing their young kids to engage in our diverse world. Our program provides parents with research-based skills, curated books, and guides for engaging in conversations about race with kids aged 3-8 years old. Once parents have made habits of talking and learning about race in their home, we provide the opportunity for families to engage in community conversations to become changemakers.