Winterfest opens grant applications, sets 2027 dates

April 19, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

As winter makes what many hope is a last-ditch appearance, organizers of Waterbury Winterfest have opened applications for this year’s recreation grants, and they’ve locked in dates for the 2027 celebration. 

Kids take part in a cross-country ski-a-thon at Dac Rowe Park during Winterfest 2026. Photo by Gordon Miller. See more photos in Scenes Around Town.

Waterbury Roundabout also serves up numerous scenes collected during Winterfest 2026, which ran from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. Check out the photo galleries on the Scenes Around Town page here. 

The volunteer-run Waterbury Winterfest allocates funds each year from proceeds from participant fees and event sponsors to award grants to local organizations offering a range of recreation programs and activities. 

This year, grants of up to $750 will be available. Applicants are asked to provide a summary of their recreation project or program, the number of people likely to benefit from the initiative, and a proposed budget. Those seeking grants also should describe how their organization would participate in next year’s Winterfest activities should they be awarded funding.

Winterfest’s Wassailing event features multiple amateur musical groups performing at multiple downtown venues. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

In previous years, Winterfest has provided grant support to programs by Waterbury Youth Soccer, Green Mountain Performing Arts, Green Mountain Roamers, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports, Clyde Whittemore Little League, Waterbury Area Trails Alliance, Waterbury summer recreation programs, Youth Hockey, Co-ed Volleyball, Waterbury Rotary Concerts in the Park, The Children's Room, MakerSphere, Capital Soccer and others. 

Grants are used in a variety of ways, including recreation program scholarships, equipment, support for specific events, and facilities maintenance and upgrades.

More information and the grant application form are available online at waterburywinterfest.com. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 31.

In addition, anyone interested in getting involved with Waterbury Winterfest planning for 2027 is encouraged to email the group at waterburywinterfest@gmail.com. 

Dates for next winter’s Waterbury Winterfest will be Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 27-31, 2027.