Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/)
The Polar Plunge will return to Watertown on Feb. 7, 2026, and the Watertown Police seek to raise even more this year fro the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Participants will take a cold dip into the mobile plunge tank that will be set up in Bond Square at Arsenal Yards, said Watertown Police Officer Michael Scafidi. “Last year we had just over 50 participants and raised over $20,000 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts,” Scafidi said. “This year we are aiming for ’26K in ’26’!”
Arsenal YardsThe Bluebikes station outside Arsenal Yards. With Watertown’s contract with the Bluebikes bicycle share company expiring, City officials hope to sign a more favorable agreement. The contract ends in early 2026, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he hopes to sign a several year agreement. “This particular contract is a five year agreement with two optional two year renewals for a maximum term of nine years, which is designed to enhance service delivery, strengthen the sponsorship system, to make the system work better and support continued operations and stability in the bikeshare system here in Watertown,” Proakis said. Because the contract is longer than three years, the City Council had to vote to allow the City staff to enter into an agreement.
Caspian Persian Cuisine opened Jan. 1, 2026, on Bigelow Avenue. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A new restaurant has joined the eating scene in East Watertown, with a familiar team behind it. Caspian Persian Cuisine opened at 72 Bigelow Ave. on Jan.
John J. York
A Mass of Christian Burial for Retired Watertown Detective Sergeant John J. York will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. John “Jack” York was born in Brighton to the late John Joseph York, a retired member of the Watertown Police Department, and Rita (Marion) York. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on January 6, 2026, at the age of 85. Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Patricia (Ambrose) York.
World in Watertown is thrilled to invite you to the 26th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast on Jan. 19, 2026 from 8:30-11 a.m.
Join us in person at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. Get your ticket at https://watertownunitybreakfast.eventbrite.com
A hot breakfast from Wicked Bagel will be served at 8:30 a.m. followed by music, roundtable conversations, student essays, and the presentation of the Unity Award. Every year, the community in Watertown, Massachusetts, comes together on Martin Luther King Day to honor his life and civil rights legacy by recommitting to foundational principles of racial, social, and economic justice.
All ages are welcome to attend the event! The suggested donation for adult attendees is $10-$25.
The Community Read: Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Watertown Free Public Library. See the announcement provided by the Unity Breakfast organizers. Please join us for a Community Read on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00-3:30 in the MasterangeloRoom of Watertown Public Library. Together we will be reading aloud a work by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing its message and relevance for today.
The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)
Cooking enthusiasts are wanted to join the Watertown Free Public Library’s cooking group. See details in the announcement from the Library, below. The 2025 Cook the Books group celebrated a delicious year of recipe swapping with a cookie exchange at the Watertown Free Public Library!
Once a month, the Cook the Books Group meets in the Library café to share favorite cookbooks, recipes, and food. Members share cooking tips and tricks while bonding over great food and great company.
The results of the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be discussed at a community forum hosted by the Watertown Youth Coalition and the Watertown Public Schools. The Watertown Youth Wellness Community Forum will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Learning Commons at Lowell Elementary School, 123 Lowell Ave. The announcement from the Watertown Youth Coalition said:
“We will present and discuss the findings from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and work together to explore how data relates to: Youth Belonging, Youth Connections with Trusted Adults, Youth Perception of Substance Use Prevelance.” Light refreshments will be served.
Watertown residents can put their Christmas trees out for pickup through Jan. 19. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up Christmas trees through the week of Monday, January 19, 2026. To ensure your tree is collected, remove all ornaments, lights, and decorations and place it on the curb on your designated trash and recycling day.
