Harvest Festival
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Announces 2025 Harvest Festival: A Celebration of Community, Creativity, and Local Craft
Newtown, CT — November 2025 — The Housatonic Valley Waldorf School (HVWS), Connecticut’s only accredited Waldorf grades school, invites the community to its Harvest Festival on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, at its campus in Newtown.
This newly reimagined event brings together two beloved traditions—Fall Fair and Winter Market—for the first time in over a decade, creating a weekend-long celebration of craft, community, and seasonal joy. The festival continues a tradition that traces back to 2010, now refreshed with a new name and expanded offerings for all ages.
The festivities begin on Friday, November 7, with an Adults-Only Vendor Market from 5:00–9:00 p.m., featuring artisan vendors, local food and beverages, and live music. Admission is $5 per person. The Vendor Market continues Saturday, November 8, open to all visitors.
Saturday’s Harvest Fair runs from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and will feature performances and activities for the entire family:
- Live music by local favorite Dan Tressler
- Robin McCahill of Intuit Puppets and her handmade puppet creations roaming the grounds
- Cynthia Rauschert of Bethel’s Circus Moves offering hands-on demonstrations in her circus tent
- Classic children’s activities such as face painting, bracelet making, and “make your own jump rope” stations
Entry to the festival is free, with craft activity tickets available for $1 each, including bundle discounts.
Food and refreshments will be provided by:
- The Pizza Truck, an alumni family returning for the third year, with all proceeds benefiting HVWS
- Batchy Brew of Torrington, serving premium coffee and beverages (pay-per-order)
- An HVWS bake sale and farm tent featuring goods from The Hickories, a Ridgefield-based farm owned by HVWS parents Dina Brewster and Garth Harries
The festival will showcase 17 local artisans and vendors, including Lalaa Kanani, Willow Glen Stationery, Sheep Thrills, The Patterned Pie Maker, Balms Herbals, Square Pegs Vintage, Mount Cornwall Bindery, My Mama Gnome, J Helena Art, MELK Handmades, Cabbage Hill Farms, Moon Rut, Thatcher Clay Studio, Karma Knitted, Gcrafts, Hi Tree!, and Moon Song Medicinals.
“The Harvest Festival, being the biggest public event that we host at the school, is not just about fun but it’s a way to show the greater community what we do here and what we are building,” said Leslie Lew, HVWS Executive Director. “Festival life and community building are a big part of Waldorf education, and the Harvest Festival is a wonderful way to bring people together.”
About the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Founded in 1989, the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School serves five counties across Connecticut and New York, offering screen-free classrooms for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. HVWS is the only accredited Waldorf grades school in Connecticut and part of a global network of more than 1,000 Waldorf schools in 64 countries. Based on the ideas of educator, scientist, and philosopher Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), Waldorf education emphasizes experiential learning, artistic development, and academic excellence—preparing students to be creative, compassionate thinkers and engaged citizens.
Event Summary:
📅 Dates: Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8, 2025
📍 Location: Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, Newtown, CT
🎟️ Friday (Adults Only Vendor Market): 5:00–9:00 p.m. | $5 entry
🎉 Saturday (Family Harvest Fair): 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Free entry