Newark Recreation Manager Obalaji Baraka claims that “There is no need for local residents to go to Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park to go ice skating. People can come and get free cocoa and stay in Newark.”
Quatisha Bronson claims that the festival is a beautiful event and that it “Is a fun and great way to celebrate all the positive things that are happening in town.”

Members of the Benitez family sip the free hot cocoa as they relax after skating. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Adva

Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Adva

Friends Idalis Rodriguez, Miracle Roman, Josmary Amaya, and Kaitlyn Catota look at a phone on the ground as they pose for a photo in the park. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Matar and Nahiyya look at their phone on the ground as they dance for a Tik Tok video they were making. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Free cocoa is available and pastries can be purchased from Newark's own Tonnie's Minis at the festival. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Quatisha Bronson and Arneida Greene pose while in a 360-degree photo booth. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

A group of boys compete in curling. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Adva

Across the street from the park vendors sell a variety of goods in the Ironside Newark building. Newark Winter Village opened at Mulberry Commons Park located across the street from the Prudential Center. This year the festival has grown to include an ice skating rink. Saturday, December 4, 2021. Newark, N.J.