St Mary of Carmen Festival, Newton
🎉 Festival Overview
Dates: The 90th Annual Festival is scheduled for July 16–20, 2025.
Location: Pellegrini Park, 11 Hawthorn St, Newton, MA.
Admission: Free and open to all.
Each year, the festival attracts over 10,000 attendees, offering a blend of religious observance, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and culinary delights. stmaryofcarmen.org
🎠 Festival Highlights
🎵 Live Entertainment
Nightly performances feature a variety of bands, with opening acts at 6:00 PM and headliners at 8:00 PM. Attendees can enjoy the music from the Fabrizia Beer & Wine Garden or bring their own chairs for a comfortable viewing experience. stmaryofcarmen.org
🍽️ Food & Drink
A diverse selection of food vendors offers Italian specialties and carnival favorites. Highlights include Fatty’s Raw Bar and traditional gnocchi. The Fabrizia Beer & Wine Garden operates from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday.
🎡 Carnival Rides & Games
Fiesta Shows provides a range of carnival rides and games from Wednesday to Saturday (5:00 PM–11:00 PM) and Sunday (4:00 PM–11:00 PM). Discounted ride prices are available on Wednesday and Thursday, with unlimited ride passes offered online and on-site.
🙏 Religious Traditions
The festival's spiritual centerpiece is the Sunday procession honoring La Madonna del Carmine. Following a 2:00 PM Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, society members carry the adorned statue through the streets of Nonantum, accompanied by a marching band and community members. The procession stops at homes of recently deceased community members, with donations pinned to the statue's sashes.
🎓 Community Engagement
Beyond the festival, the St. Mary of Carmen Society actively supports the community through scholarships and charitable donations. To date, the society has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to local students and continues to assist families and organizations in need within Nonantum and surrounding areas.
For more information and updates, visit the St. Mary of Carmen Society's official website or follow them on Facebook.