Newton-area museums welcome the public to the “Five Places of Christmas” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 2nd 2017

The Annual Holiday Open House is a collaborative event among Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum, Kauffman Museum, Warkentin House and Bethel College Women’s Association. Admission is free for all of the venues, with most offering free refreshments and activities.

As a special treat this year, the Goerz House, 2512 College Drive, North Newton, will be included as an event venue. Normally closed as a private residence, this Bethel College landmark will be the host site for the Bethel College Women’s Association’s open house. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now the residence for the college president and his family. The women’s association will offer handmade crafts and gifts for sale, candy by the pound, baked goods and music by Bethel College Academy of Performing arts and Bethel College students.

Visitors to Kauffman Museum, located at 27th and Main streets in North Newton, can enjoy the museum and refreshments as well as an afternoon organ concert. Included in the museum’s exhibits is the special exhibit “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.”

Carriage Factory Art Gallery, 128 E. Sixth St. in Newton, will feature special music and family art activities. Art and other items will be for sale throughout the gallery, including special displays in the gift shop and on the mezzanine. Children’s make-and-take art activities and a book signing with children’s author Bill Bush will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon, and the NUTS ukulele group also will perform from 10 a.m. to noon. “Artists at Work” demonstrations will be held from noon to 4 p.m. and an artist studio sale will be open all day.

The Harvey County Historical Museum, 203 N. Main St. in Newton, invites visitors to enjoy refreshments and view the final weekend of the special exhibit “Purposeful Stitches: Community Quilts” exhibit. The Coke Santa, a tradition at the museum, will also greet visitors.

The Warkentin House, 211 E. First St. in Newton, offers peppernuts and Mrs. Warkentin’s Russian tea while visitors can explore the Victorian home decorated to its holiday finest by local volunteers. Children and youth from the Home School Association of Newton and friends will share their vocal and instrumental talents throughout the day while visitors enjoy tours of this historic landmark.

All “Five Places of Christmas” sites are open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 2nd and offer free admission, refreshments and activities to share the holidays with the community. If you have questions, please contact Melody Spurney at the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau at (316) 284-3642 or mspurney@newtonkansas.com or any of the “Five Places” venues.

More Holiday Events in Newton! 

The 30th annual Holiday Bazaar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 18th at the Newton Recreation Center, 415 N. Poplar. The annual market features beautiful handmade items from regional craft vendors. Admission is free. Drawings for door prizes donated by craft vendors will be held throughout the day.

The Hesston Bethel Performing Arts Series will offer its annual Christmas program with the Mirari Brass Quintet, an engaging and eclectic group, which brings a spirit of joyful collaboration and innovation to music spanning many centuries and genres in a celebration of Christmas. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1st at Hesston Mennonite Church at Hesston College. Tickets are available online at Hesston-bethel.org.

The Newton Lions Club sponsors the annual Parade of Lights. All of the participating floats in this classic Christmas parade are illuminated. Newton visitors and residents are invited to watch the parade, beginning at 6:30 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 7th. The route follows Main Street in the historic downtown business district. Admission is free. The public is also invited to the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce at Fifth and Main streets from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 7th for a free community open house. Following the parade, spectators can shop many downtown stores that will stay open late.

Bethel College jazz musicians will present their holiday concert at 8 a.m. Dec. 8th in Krehbiel Auditorium in the Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College in North Newton.

Suzuki & Strings, affiliated with Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts, will perform its Sounds of the Season concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 16th at Bethel College Mennonite Church.

Linda Fern Johnson will lead a workshop entitled “Fused Glass Christmas Ornaments” from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 16th at Carriage Factory Gallery, 128 E. Sixth St., in downtown Newton. Cost is $40 and includes materials. To reserve a space, call 316-284-2894 Ext. 2749.

For more information on any of these Events, visit the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau website