The Island’s antidote to the winter blues is a festival where everything is free

WinterFest happens this weekend in Deer Isle and Stonington, with a packed schedule of food, performances, seminars and fireworks—free to all attendees

Fireworks will again light up the winter sky as they did in this photo from WinterFest in 2024. Photo by Dan Rajter, courtesy of the Healthy Island Project.

Jan. 12, 2026

By Jessica Hardy

THE ISLAND—Started 20 years ago, Healthy Island Project’s WinterFest is back again this weekend to help conquer the blues.

WinterFest, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17 in Deer Isle and Stonington, was started in the mid-2000s to help lift spirits of the community during the hard times of the winter months, organizers said. It was also created to offer something for free to local residents after the financial costs of the holidays, coupled with the burden of wintertime heating costs.

The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers are among the packed list of events for this year’s WinterFest. Photo courtesy of the Healthy Island Project.

This year’s WinterFest features a wide variety of events, including food, pickleball lessons, seminars for teens, parents and seniors,a performance by the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, music, a climbing wall, a cheer squad performance, a cribbage tournament and evening fireworks. HIP has a full listing of events on its website.

 “It’s free. It’s a very important part of it.” said HIP director Rene Colson.

More than 50 sponsors have donated to this year’s event, with those funds used to bring activities and performances to the community. All activities are free of charge, although community members are welcome to make donations.

“It’s a celebration of the community.” Colson said. “There is something for everyone.”

The day will conclude with hot dogs and cocoa outside at the Island Community Center, fireworks over the Stonington Ball Field and a contra dance.