A Rhode Island Christmas is magical, particularly when our finicky New England climate cooperates and delivers a White Christmas. From gentle shows to annual vacation occasions, to conventional reveals, we all know how one can make Christmas in Rhode Island particular and get you into the spirit of the season.
Regardless of for those who want to spend your time indoors or out, there are various Christmas occasions in Rhode Island to maintain you occupied via the New 12 months. Collect your loved ones and buddies and partake in one of many occasions beneath and maybe begin a brand new vacation custom within the course of!
Windfall Space Vacation Occasions
Three Nights of Lights
In early December, this three-day competition with citywide light-themed occasions kicks off the Christmas season in Windfall. The spotlight is three evenings of WaterFire, Windfall’s signature arts occasion, that includes a collection of bonfires illuminating downtown’s rivers.
The Avenue Idea provides to the expertise with a nighttime public artwork gallery with illumination, sound, and cultural experiences at murals and sculptures all through Downtown.
There are additionally ice skating performances offered by FirstWorks. From tree lightings to vacation buying occasions, town will probably be aglow with heat gentle and vacation cheer. Every of the three nights of the WaterFire Vacation Celebration will characteristic Vacation ArtMart distributors and meals vans providing seasonal treats. One night time Santa will even arrive at Santa’s Village by boat.
A Christmas Carol- Trinity Rep
From November twenty third via December 4th and December 26-29, 2024, A Christmas Carol returns to Trinity Rep for its annual run. A preferred Christmas custom, Trinity Rep dazzles audiences annually with the story of the notorious Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim. All ages will get pleasure from this basic vacation story on stage.
Competition Ballet Windfall Presents The Nutcracker
Dazzling units, enchanting music, and delightful choreography all come collectively within the crown jewel of the vacation season with the timeless vacation story of The Nutcracker from December 19-29, 2024 at The Vets. Watch in awe as this vacation custom involves life on stage for the entire household’s merriment.
This family-friendly manufacturing incorporates a tree that grows 38 ft, a captivating Nutcracker character designed by Large Nazo Lab, intelligent magic tips, vibrant and shimmering costumes, and dozens of pleasant younger dancers that carry out alongside the Competition Balley Windfall Firm of world-class resident artists.
Vacation Lights Spectacular on the Roger Williams Park Zoo
From November 29, 2024, via January 4, 2025, the Roger Williams Park Zoo transforms into a vacation wonderland with a blinding gentle show all through the Zoo. Guests stroll via 40 acres of festive larger-than-life luminous shows and over 3.5 million illuminated lights to brighten the vacation season.
Open rain or shine, this walkthrough Vacation Lights Spectacular is obtainable with a timed entry ticket solely, which should be bought on-line. The occasion is held nightly from 5:00 – 9:30 pm however is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Santa will even be on the Spectacular on choose Thursday nights in December via Christmas.
Ice Skating & Bumper Vehicles on the Financial institution Newport Metropolis Heart
Whereas not notably distinctive to Christmas, ice skating or bumper automobiles on the BankNewport Metropolis Heart rink in Downtown Windfall is one among my favourite issues to do in Rhode Island in winter.
Windfall is the third metropolis within the nation and the primary in New England to supply ice bumper automobiles. Simply remember to make timed reservations very far upfront as a result of tickets promote out quick.
Vacation Wreath-Making Workshops
Be taught to make a vacation wreath ornament on the Roger Williams Park Botanical Heart. This workshop contains an evergreen wreath, all supplies, and admission for as much as 4 folks to the Botanical Heart. Tickets are $65 and extra Wreaths are $55. The gardens may even be embellished for the vacations with festive prepare shows within the two predominant greenhouses. Tickets should be bought upfront.
Vacation Markets
If you’re on the lookout for enjoyable, inexpensive, and festive vacation buying, Windfall Flea is internet hosting the Annual Vacation Markets indoors at Farm Recent RI Market Corridor each Sunday from December 1st via the twenty second and each Friday from Black Friday via December 20, 2024. The Market options 80+ native indie makers, artisans, classic distributors, meals vans, recent native espresso and spirits, craft beer and cocktails, ice cream, baked items, recent flowers and vegetation, and extra!
Vacation portray
For these which are feeling artful, native paint and wine studio Paint and Vino is providing a collection of holiday-related portray lessons together with Winter Gnomes with LED Lights, Starlit Snowman with LED Lights, Dwelling for the Holidays wood signal, Grinch with LED Lights, and extra. While you reserve your seat at this session you’ll get pleasure from two complimentary drinks (beer, wine, or soda), and all provides are included.
Hope & Fundamental Vacation Market
This Vacation Market will happen on December 18, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and options Hope & Fundamental Makers. This can be a excellent place to seek out domestically sourced vacation items, stocking stuffers, and connoisseur treats.
See a Vacation Present at The Vets
The Vets is upping the vacation leisure sport with reveals for various audiences. Along with the Nutcracker, you too can get pleasure from performances of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra for a shifting efficiency of Handel’s Messiah.
Vacation Gentle Present
After Confreda Farms wraps up its pumpkin patch and Scary Acres, it transforms into Rhode Island’s longest-running drive-through vacation gentle present. The Rhode Island Vacation Gentle Present options a number of hundred holiday-themed shows synchronized to music alongside a one-mile route. The Rhode Island Vacation Gentle Present is open from November 15-December 31, 2024 from Thursday via Sunday and 7 days per week from December 19-Thirty first. Tickets might be bought on-line or on the door (bank card is most popular.)
Backyard Metropolis Stroll
Backyard Metropolis Heart in Cranston hosts “It’s a Fantastic” Stroll. The occasion incorporates a tree lighting, a go to from Santa, and reside leisure.
Buyers may go to Santa in his cozy cabin proper exterior the Backyard Metropolis Heart Gazebo to satisfy and greet essentially the most holly jolly man within the neighborhood and get images with the Large Man. Reservations are strongly inspired. Stroll-ups are welcome however will probably be given a return time upon arrival.
Northern Rhode Island Vacation Occasions
An Outdated Normal Christmas at Hearthside Home
When you ever questioned what Christmas was like throughout the colonial period, then a go to to the Hearthside Home Museum is the proper place for you. Right here you’ll find three flooring of this 200-year-old mansion embellished for the vacations.
An Outdated-Normal Christmas takes place on Saturday, December 14-15, 2024. Throughout this occasion, households can meet Santa (and take some images) to recollect the second. Festive musical leisure and refreshments are additionally offered.
Over the past weekend in December, the home will nonetheless be embellished for the vacations and guests can expertise each the historical past and the decorations on this “candlelight” tour by our docents in interval apparel.
Pawtucket Winter Wonderland
Slater Park is remodeled right into a winter wonderland for the entire household to get pleasure from. The show is made up of 650 Christmas timber embellished by their sponsor households throughout 30 acres the primary two weekends in December from 4:00 to eight:00 pm.
Households will get pleasure from hayrides, kids’s prepare rides, the carousel, and a go to from Santa. Within the leisure tent, there’s free leisure offered by gifted college students and adults from the native space. The Meals tent has sizzling canine, sizzling chocolate, snacks, and cookies on the market all at very affordable costs.
The Polar Categorical
Hop on board the historic Blackstone Valley Prepare for a three-hour journey that brings Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas basic to life. Storytelling, sing-a-longs, video games, delicious cookies, and scrumptious sizzling cocoa make this occasion a real delight for kids. Santa himself even delivers the primary reward of the season to every little one aboard (a silver bell after all)!
Along with the 90-minute prepare experience to view the North Pole, the enjoyable begins exterior of the depot with a stage present, photograph alternatives with the characters, and kids’s actions which are positive to fill everybody with the spirit of Christmas!
The Polar Categorical departs from Woonsocket and journeys run on weekends from mid-November via Christmas with two reveals a day. Remember that this sells out so e-book your tickets early!!
Annual Scituate Village Candlelight Stroll
For the primary Thursdays in December, Chepachet Village gives candlelight buying all alongside Fundamental Road from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Native outlets are embellished for the season and the streets glow with vintage road lights.
The sounds of vacation music add to the old style ambiance that people have loved for a few years. Chepachet Village Wine & Spirits additionally gives photograph alternatives with Santa and his reindeer all through December and the city’s annual Christmas Tree Gentle Ceremony takes place on the primary Thursday of December on the Pavilion at Kent Discipline.
Blackstone River Theater Vacation Craft Truthful & Competition
The Blackstone River Theater Vacation Craft Truthful and Competition allows you to store native whereas supporting the theater and native home-based companies. Going down on the primary Saturday in December, there are 24 distributors on website between 9 a.m. and three p.m. The occasion may even characteristic steady reside music.
Stadium Theater
The Stadium Theater in Woonsocket rings within the holidays with many performances from late November via Christmas together with A Christmas Carol, Divas of Drag Deck the Halls, and The Vacation Pops.
Santa’s Jeeps Parade
On December 7, 2024 in Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland, Jeep house owners and residents collect for the Santa’s Jeep Parade. Offered by PVD Meals Truck Occasions, the occasion contains DJ leisure, Cumberland Excessive Faculty Clef Singers, photos with Christmas characters, prepare rides, create your personal ornaments, meet and greet with Santa, and the Kick off the Jeep Parade with Santa via the City.
Newport Space Vacation Occasions
Sparkle! at Blithewold
On choose dates from December 4, 2024, to January 4, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00, Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum sparkle with vacation cheer. You’ll be able to stroll via the illuminated grounds of Blithewold Mansion and accumulate scavenger hunt clues. Comply with superbly illuminated paths all through the grounds to find gorgeous, newly expanded gentle shows, handmade bamboo lanterns, and enjoyable photograph ops.
Afterward, collect round cozy fires within the Enclosed Backyard and hear whereas seasonal music floats via the air. RI Cruisin’ Cocktails will heat you up with a sizzling beverage, together with drinks with a kick!
You’ll be able to add on a go to to the Mansion and take within the splendor of vacation spirit in every room and the Large Tree. Advance registration is required.
Christmas in Newport
A month-long celebration, every day boasts a brand new occasion or exercise corresponding to strolling excursions, craft festivals, and museum visits. Downtown Newport is remodeled with clear bulbs that are supposed to replicate candles, which brings again reminiscences of the candlelit vacation of the previous.
November 29, 2024 marks the Newport Illuminated Boat Parade at 6:00 PM when spectators can view the dazzling show of nautical vacation spirit from many factors on the Newport waterfront because the embellished vessels circumnavigate Newport Harbor.
Different occasions embrace Vacation Lantern Excursions, Santa Magic at Lengthy Wharf, the recent chocolate bar at The Chanler, and lots of live shows, bazaars, and open homes.
Bowen’s Wharf has a tree lighting on December seventh and shops have particular promotions simply in time for the vacation buying season. The big tree is lit promptly at 6:00 – the official starting of the vacation season at Bowen’s Wharf! Santa and Mrs. Claus motor into Bowen’s Basin by boat (climate allowing) wanting to hear to each little one’s want.
Christmas on the Newport Mansions
Three Newport Nationwide Historic Landmarks and iconic houses of the Gilded Age are embellished for the vacations and open for excursions. Poinsettias, gingerbread homes, 30-foot Christmas timber, interval china, and silver are displayed in a grand method. Put together to step again in time and have a good time the vacations in type. See my full publish about issues to do in Newport within the winter.
Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
Rosecliff Mansion gives a singular and interactive twist on an previous favourite. Friends will comply with the primary character via the fabulous rooms of the Mansion as she celebrates the vacation season together with her household, battles the Mouse King, dances with the Snow Queen, and travels together with her beloved Nutcracker to the magical Land of Sweets.
The primary act of this distinctive efficiency is an experiential journey the place visitors stroll and stand to look at the story unfold. The second act then unfolds within the Land of the Sweets, within the grand ballroom, the place visitors are assigned desk seating. The efficiency is roughly 2 hours in size together with the intermission.
Glowing Lights at The Breakers
Certainly one of Newport’s latest Christmas points of interest is the Glowing Lights at The Breakers Mansion. On choose evenings from November 22, 2024, via December 29, 2024, The Breakers lights up for the vacations. Guests can stroll via a blinding 50-foot-long tunnel of sunshine and alongside a half-mile-long path glittering with tons of of 1000’s of vacation lights whereas pleasant gnomes level the way in which and music fills the winter air.
Glowing Lights embrace illuminated snowmen, reindeer, and lots of extra glowing surprises. Youngsters will get pleasure from peeking into Santa’s Workshop contained in the Kids’s Cottage and households ought to remember to get a household photograph on the Van”deer”bilt selfie station.
Six hearth pits will assist guests keep heat and festive and the again terrace of the mansion can have warming stations and grownup drinks together with sizzling chocolate with liqueur, apple cider with bourbon, wine, and beer. There are vacation sweets and treats, and even s’mores kits to prepare dinner over the fireplace pit.
Fireplace Concert events on the Linden Place Museum
Collect with family and friends and partake in one of many many holiday-themed occasions occurring at Linden Place. A 200-year-old Gothic-style mansion is remodeled for the vacations with decorations, elegant tables, particular musical occasions, and even a go to from the large jolly previous elf himself.
Winter Afternoon Tea at Blithewold
On choose dates from November 26, 2024 – January 3, 2025, get pleasure from Afternoon Tea in Blithewold’s Eating Room. Collect with buddies or household to thrill in a cup of tea, freshly baked scones with candy cream, and a three-tiered tray crammed with candy and savory treats. The value for Tea contains admission to the Mansion and Grounds, so remember to depart time for strolling!
If brunch is extra your vibe, have a good time with a Vacation Jazz Brunch on the Mansion with mimosas, tea, espresso, and a tasty plated brunch that includes reside jazz musicians.
Shiny Night time at Tiverton 4 Corners
On Friday, December 6, 2024, Tiverton 4 Corners comes alive with a night of vacation buying and particular occasions. Luminaries gentle the way in which with an array of outlets to go to in addition to a particular vacation characteristic offered by the 4 Corners Arts Heart.
The Annual re-Tree, an out of doors showcase of home made timber of recycled materials created by neighborhood members, is a enjoyable and joyful occasion sponsored by The Tiverton Farmers Market. Retailers and eating places supply particular treats, video games, prizes, and vacation decor.
Coastal Queen’s Sweet Cane Categorical Cruise
The Coastal Queen gives a number of vacation cruise choices for households or grown-ups. The Meet and Greet Cruise with Santa Claus gives sizzling chocolate and a sweet cane for every little one. The boat experience cruises round Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
Bristol Santa Home
The Bristol Santa Home supplies an inclusive Santa expertise for kids with particular wants and their households. They supply an accessible, sensory-friendly atmosphere that’s festive and cozy for kids with Autism, Down Syndrome, mobility impairments, and different developmental disabilities, no matter bodily or psychological challenges. Visits to Santa are at all times free and it’s open from November 23, 2024, via December 23, 2024, on most Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. Remember to verify instances and dates earlier than you go and arrive 45 minutes prior to shut.
Southern Rhode Island Vacation Occasions
Stone Ridge Luminaria
A yearly custom that spans over 30 years, the neighborhood of Stone Ridge in East Greenwich dazzles locals with its vacation gentle show. That includes over 4,000 paper bag lanterns and conventional vacation decorations, Rhode Islanders from throughout flock to drive via this neighborhood show.
Ocean State Artisan’s Annual Vacation Craft Present
The annual Ocean State Artisans Vacation Craft Present now takes place on the Occasion Heart at Bally’s On line casino and Resort in Lincoln, RI. This fashionable Thanksgiving weekend occasion is a buying custom for a lot of and is without doubt one of the largest vacation craft reveals in Rhode Island, that includes all kinds of handcrafted objects made by native artisans with over 80 cubicles.
This yr’s present additionally options made-to-order recent wreaths from Large John Leyden’s Tree Farm. Kids can get pleasure from face portray and a go to with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Competition of Lights Wickford
The Competition of Lights is a three-day occasion from December 5-8, 2024 that begins with Santa arriving by boat on the city dock and culminating with a neighborhood refrain efficiency.
Downtown Wickford is remodeled by 1000’s of twinkling white lights and vacation occasions occurring all through the three-day competition. Artwork reveals, Smith Fortress excursions, and hayrides with Santa are simply a few of the actions deliberate.
Vacation Stroll & Luminaria
Downtown Westerly on December 7, 2024, is lined with luminaria as customers get pleasure from particular retailer promotions, take heed to carolers sing, and even take a hayride with Santa. Complimentary sizzling cocoa and cookies will make your candlelit stroll via downtown full.
Close by Massachusetts Vacation Occasions
La Sallette Competition of Lights
Simply over the border in North Attleboro, MA lies LaSallette with over 300,000 twinkling lights that may absolutely amaze the entire household. This spiritual lights show additionally incorporates a creche museum, spiritual retailer, meals court docket, youngsters actions, and extra.
As soon as the vacation season is over, there’s nonetheless a lot enjoyable to have throughout the winter season right here in Rhode Island. Remember to take a look at the favourite winter actions in Rhode Island and issues to do in Newport in winter to study how one can hold busy all through the winter season right here in Little Rhody!
Additionally see 21 festive methods to have a good time Christmas in Massachusetts.
Or, in case you are going a bit of additional, plan a weekend getaway at one among these nice vacation locations.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
