Newton's St. Mary Of Carmen Festival Returns For 86th Year

NEWTON, MA — The St. Mary of Carmen Festival is set to return for its 86th year after being cancelled for the first time ever in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The five-day festival, which is scheduled for July 14-18 at Pellegrini Park on Hawthorne St., is a celebration of Italian-American culture and features live music and entertainment, carnival rides and games, and food and drinks.

The St. Mary of Carmen Society began in 1935 as a mutual-benefit society in the Italian neighborhood during the Great Depression to help provide disability insurance and modest death benefits to members. The society has since shifted to raise money for charitable donations and college scholarships for local students.

The festival is attended by over 10,000 people annually and serves as the primary fundraising mechanism for the society. The organization's other fundraisers include an annual dinner and dance and Christmas tree sales.

More information about this year's event and a complete entertainment lineup can be found here. To make a donation to the St. Mary of Carmen Society, click here.