Fun And Hot Cocoa As Winterfest Returns For 2023

Winterfest returns to Amherst beginning Saturday, January 28 at Cherry Hill Golf Course and ending with the Fire and Ice Festival on the Town Common February 11. A complete schedule of events can be found here., view the flyer below, or scan the QR code below.  The events are organized by the Amherst Recreation Department.  For additional information, contact Director Ray Harp at the Recreation Department harpr@amherstma.gov.

The cardboard classic sledding event for all ages will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. on January 28 at Cherry Hill, 323 Montague Road. There will be prizes for most creative sled, best theme, and longest run. There will also be hot cocoa, popcorn, and s’mores. Other activities will include a kids’ carnival, a wildlife scavenger hunt, golf contests, photo opportunities, hiking, winter crafts and sledding. There will be a shuttle back and forth from the Mill District PVTA bus stop and free parking at Cherry Hill. Sponsors are the Mill District, the Business Improvement District, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, the Amherst Cinema, the Jones Library and branches, Amherst College, and the Amherst Senior Center.

On Saturday, February 4, the Amherst Cinema will show the movie Frozen at 12:45 with a sing-along. Admission is $5. Then, at 5 p.m., there will be Luminaria installation on the Town Common. The Coronation Café will supply hot chocolate. The luminaria is sponsored the the BID, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center, and the CRESS program.

The festivities conclude with the Fire and Ice Festival on the South Common from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 11. Besides the beautiful ice sculptures on view, there will be hot cocoa, s’mores kits, winter tie dye, fire pits, live ice sculpting, and a fire performance by Matica Circus. These events are sponsored by the BID.

In addition to the main events, there are men’s and women’s hockey games at Amherst College’s Orr rink and nightly performances at the Drake.