|
WORCESTER, MA – The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) announces announce the 4th Annual Downtown Worcester Winter Festival, taking place on Saturday, February 1, from 1 pm to 4 pm. In the event of inclement weather, an alternate festival date is set for Saturday, February 15. This event will once again bring together the community for an afternoon of fun-filled winter activities on the Worcester Common Oval and around Downtown Worcester, including free ice skating for all festival attendees. Skate rentals are available for a $6 fee, or you can bring your own skates.
This year’s festival promises to be bigger than ever, with new attractions like “ice bumper cars,” and the return of favorites like ice sculpture carving, a 25-foot “alpine slide,” arts and crafts, street performances, local food vendors, and more.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Winter Festival back to the heart of Downtown Worcester for the fourth year in a row,” said Katelyn O’Brien, Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester BID. “With exciting new attractions like ‘ice bumper cars’ and the addition of free ice skating for all festivalgoers this year, this year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet. We have a fantastic mix of activities planned for all ages, and we can’t wait to see the community come together for an afternoon of winter fun Downtown.”
Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for Woo Fridge, a community-led initiative that helps provide 24/7 access to free food throughout Worcester via publicly accessible refrigerators around the city, including a fridge located Downtown on Portland Street. As a thank-you, the first 100 people to donate will receive a free hot chocolate and cookie from Brew on the Grid.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Woo Fridge, a 100% volunteer-led organization that is dedicated to combating food insecurity in Worcester through mutual aid,” O’Brien said. “We’re inviting everyone to come out, enjoy the Downtown Worcester Winter Festival with us, and consider donating to support Woo Fridge’s mission to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.”
In addition to the main festival on Saturday, Downtown businesses and organizations will participate in “Winter Festival Weekend,” offering additional events and special discounts from Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2, including:
-
The Side-By-Side with Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra & Symphony Pro Musica at Mechanics Hall on Friday, January 31, at 7:30 pm
-
A Circus Variety Show by Peter Cannizzaro presented by The Hanover Theatre at Francis R. Carroll Plaza on Saturday, February 1, with a free performance beginning at 12 pm
-
A Blackberry Smoke Concert at The Palladium on Saturday, February 1, at 6 pm
-
Winter Festival Weekend discounts and special offers at local businesses, including Woo Juice, Odd By Worcester, Ila Verde, Brew on the Grid, Cocktail Garden & Kitchen, and Off the Rails
- And more!
For additional details on the 2025 Downtown Worcester Winter Festival and Winter Festival Weekend activities and special offers, visit: downtownwinterfestival.com.
Sponsors and Partners
The 2025 Downtown Worcester Winter Festival is proudly presented by the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District along with Gold Sponsor: Streetplus; Silver Sponsors: Cornerstone Bank. Fontaine Bros., Howard Stein Hudson, Price Chopper, and The Arbella at Bramble Hill; Bronze Sponsors: Brew on the Grid, Kelleher & Sadowsky, Polar Beverages, and the Worcester Red Sox; Media Sponsors: WICN and WXLO; With Additional Support From: Worcester Arts Council, Mass Cultural Council, and The Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink, powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
| 
