Monday
December 11, 2023 
Winter Festival launches its 23rd year as a mid-winter break from Jan. 17 to 26, by providing visitors and local residents with many fun-filled events and activities for all ages.
Kicking off the evening events on Saturday, Jan. 18, is Oldies Dance Night featuring Joey D’s Rockin’ Oldies Band, performing hits from the 50s and 60s along with some of the latest pop and uptown funk dance tunes.
Tickets include a night of music and dancing and a trip back in time with the oldies photo booth. Light fare food will be available from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be door prizes and the Ultimate Dance Contest.
Earlier in the day on the 18th, the Revolutionary Pub Crawl begins at 12:30 p.m. It starts in Lambertville, and crawlers are led the by fife and drum corps into New Hope. Participants will visit four pubs, enjoy a drink, light fare and a theatrical presentation from professional, historical reencactors.
The fun continues at the after-party featuring live music at Havana’s in New Hope and a special dance performance by the Roxey Ballet.
New this year is “Amigos, Amigos, Amigos,” Winter Festival’s sixth annual warm weather themed event. Join in for an evening of “side-splitting fun” in the re-created tiny Mexican village of “Santa Poco” at Karla’s Restaurant on Jan. 22 in New Hope. Brush up on “Three Amigos” trivia to win prizes. Dress the part and be ready for “some fabulous Mexican food.”
Visit winterfestival.net to order tickets and to get all the details and information about these events, and the nine days of fun and family activities, like the Winter Walking Food and Shop Tour, the “Amigos-Amigos-Amigos” event and dinner at Karla’s Restaurant in New Hope, the Taste of Winter Festival at the Inn at Lambertville Station, the Magical Musical Pub Crawl, the Beef ‘n Brew at Triumph Brewing Company, and many others.
Also new this year is the Soup-A-Thon Cook-Off from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19, at the Lambertville House. Inside the ballroom, there will be chef’s tables lining the entire room with each chef’s best soup, chowder, bisque or stew. Guests can work their way around the room and taste all the entries as much as they’d like. Included are endless free drinks, in many varieties, for all guests. They include coffee, juice boxes, soda, water and more. Guests can vote for their favorites in each category. There will be live music and a photo booth.
This year’s Winter Festival Concert at the New Hope Winery is “Come Together – Abbey Road Live,” a one-night-only event on Friday evening, Jan. 24, featuring a band of musicians and very special guests playing the Abbey Road album in its entirety.
On Jan. 23, Taste of Winter Fest at the Inn at Lambertville Station spotlights the culinary delights that the river towns have to offer, as well as featured tastings from wineries and breweries. There will be sampling tables of food from over 18 local restaurants, strolling magic by Ran’ D Shine and music by Russell Norkevich.
Check the website for the many live ice sculptures, beginning Jan. 17 with the Meet Group at Union Square in New Hope at 1 p.m., and at the Lambertville Academy at 4 p.m. Pre-carved and additional live ice sculptures are scheduled throughout the week.
Visit the festival’s Music Mountain Theatre event with the children on Jan.18, featuring a special children’s stage production of “Frozen Jr.,” along with the Mad Science Slime booth, Glitter Tattoo booth, and the special “Frozen” photo booth.
New Hope Park & Recreation hosts its “A Cappella Extravaganza” on Jan. 25. Local colleges will compete to win cash prizes and New Hope Solebury High School students will sing during intermission.
Top off nine days of adventure on Sunday, Jan. 26, at Triumph Brewing Company in New Hope by coming in from the cold for the festival’s spicy hot Chili Cook-Off competition, featuring some of the tastiest, tangiest and most original chili created by the finest local restaurants and accompanied by local beers.
Guests can vote for their favorite chili in the People’s Choice Award competition and stay for trophy presentations and for the Judge’s Choice winners. The competition and the chili will be lively and tickets sell out quickly, so don’t delay.
Visit winterfestival.net for the complete schedule of activities, events, tickets and information.
A special thanks to Visit Bucks County for help with the event, and to event media sponsor, the Bucks County Herald.
