Holiday Happenings and Festivals in Rhode Island

Looking to get in the holiday spirit? Check out the following holiday themed festivals, light displays, strolls and more.

(Psst.. If you’re in need of a local holiday market, click here).

Holiday Lights Spectacular 

The Holiday Lights Spectacular has returned to Roger Williams Park Zoo for a third year with more than 3.5 million twinkling bulbs across forty acres. Bundle up and stroll your way through glowing pathways and whimsical displays, including playful penguins and shimmering snowflakes. Along the way you can sip on hot chocolate or an adult beverage and toast and munch on some s’mores. Learn more here.

When: Nightly, now through Jan. 4. (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 5–9 p.m.

Where: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, rwpzoo.org/holidaylights

Courtesy of the Wickford Village Association

Holidays at the Newport Mansions

The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House and Chateau-sur-Mer are all dressed up in their finery for Holidays at the Newport Mansions. Visitors can view beautiful  seasonal displays, decorated Christmas trees and fresh garlands, poinsettias and floral arrangements inside and outside the gilded mansions. Visit website for ticket prices. Closed Christmas Day.
When: Now through Jan. 1. Visit website for times.
Where: Various locations, Newport, newportmansions.org

Courtesy of Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa

Newport’s Largest Gingerbread House

PVD Holiday Fest

Running December 4 through December 7, PVD Holiday Fest is a new celebration of light, culture and community. Most notably, the city’s signature City Hall Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday with entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. Programming at the Providence Rink will feature DJ Corva, Party with Rami and DJ LadyRuck. Meanwhile, the City Hall stage lineup includes the Saxophone Choir, Lillian Feinstein Choir, and the Mixed Magic Exult Choir, followed by a surprise special headline act. Santa will arrive in style just in time to count down to the spectacular tree lighting on the steps of City Hall. More highlights include:

• Thursday and Friday: The Avenue Concept will host guided Holiday Lit Mural Tours, offering families a chance to explore downtown public art starting from the PVD Downcity Holiday Market on Grant’s Block.
• Friday: FirstWorks’ presentation of Le Patin Libre’s “Glide,” a free ice performance at the Providence Rink  followed by a community skate party with a local DJ; WaterFire will hold a partial holiday lighting on Friday, December 5 at Waterplace Park with Santa, roaming entertainment, and activities hosted by partner organizations; and Illuminate PVD will return with a festive holiday stroll led by the Providence Drum Troupe and pop-up performers from Biltmore Park to Grant’s Block and the rink.
• Saturday: Christmas on the Hill will bring choirs, festive displays, and pop-up performances to Atwells Avenue.
• Throughout the weekend: The PVD Downcity Holiday Market at Grant’s Block will feature vendors, entertainment, workshops, and family activities that showcase local artists and small businesses; and Burnside Park will host Pneufest with large-scale soft sculptures by Pneuhaus, music from Stay Silent, and specialty holiday drinks.
• See a full list of the festivities here.

When: Thurs., Dec. 4–Sun. Dec. 7. See website for times.
Where: Downtown Providence, pvdholidayfest.org

Wickford Village Festival of Lights

Head down to Wickford Village from Thursday, December 5 through Sunday, December 8 for its thirty-ninth annual Festival of Lights. Step back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas as the village itself is transformed by thousands of sparkling white lights. As always, each day will be overflowing with holiday activities. Thursday will see the town tree lighting and a visit from Jolly Old Saint Nick; Friday will bring Santa’s return via boat led by kayaking and paddle boarding “reindeer,” followed by horse drawn hayride opportunities; Saturday will deliver an Elves’ Reception of hot cocoa and cookies at Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage prior to the festive Elf Parade down the main stretch; and Sunday promises more Santa greetings and hayrides as well as a performance by The Ladies of the Rolling Pin dance troupe. And of course, the many local shops will be at the ready to fulfill your holiday gifting needs.
When: Fri., Dec. 5 – Sun., Dec. 8. See website for times.
Where: Wickford Village, 1 Main St., North Kingstown, 401-295-8813, wickfordvillage.org

Bristol Christmas Festival

Bristol is staging an intimate European-style holiday market as part of its annual Christmas Festival. On December 6 and 7, visitors can spend the days browsing the holiday market where vendors will sell everything from nautical apparel and handcrafted metal works to indigenous ingredients and Narragansett Bay treasures, while on-site food trucks will offer everything from German pretzels and bratwurst to hot chocolate and mulled wine. Additional activities and events include balloon artistry demonstrations, ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and Forbes School of Irish Step Dancing performances, living statue Santa appearances and entertainment by Lou Couto.
When: Sat., Dec. 6 from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 7 from noon–6 p.m.
Where: 400 Hope St., Bristol, facebook.com/bristolchristmasfestival

Cinema Under the Stars

Visit Weekapaug Inn on Friday evenings in December to experience Cinema Under the Stars. The Inn will provide a cozy outdoor movie experience complete with heated fur blankets, a boozy hot chocolate bar and a specially curated dinner menu. They will show Elf on December 5, the Polar express on December 12, and Home Alone on December 19. The films begin at 6 p.m. and tickets cost $85 per person.
When: Fri., Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 6 p.m.
Where: Weekapaug Inn, 25 Spray Rock Rd., Westerly, 855-679-2995, weekapauginn.com

Courtesy of West Place Animal Sanctuary

Winter Bonfires

Warm up this holiday season with Saturday afternoon bonfires at West Place Animal Sanctuary. These small, intimate events offer a new way to experience the sanctuary and stay cozy while enjoying the outdoors. Enjoy complimentary cider and blankets, with the opportunity to take your blanket home at a discount. Outside snacks are also welcome. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased here.
When: Sat., Dec 6 and Sat., Dec. 20 from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: West Place Animal Sanctuary, 3198 Main Rd., Tiverton, 401-228-6800, westplace.org

Pawtucket Winter Wonderland

Step into a world dedicated to the chilly season when Slater Park is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with holiday lights, visits from Santa and train rides through the park. With more than forty decorated acres, this event is Rhode Island’s largest Christmas display and festival. Free.
When: Sat., Dec. 6–Sun., Dec 7 and Sat., Dec. 13–Sun., Dec. 14 from 4–8 p.m.
Where: Slater Memorial Park, Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, facebook.com/pawtucketwinterwonderland

Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty

On Saturday, December 6, the first-ever Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty will take over Aborn and Westminster Streets in Providence with festive programming for pets and their people. This free, pet-friendly event invites the community to celebrate the season with live entertainment, local vendors, holiday photo opportunities, contests and charity support for the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL). At the center will be the Pawty Zone, hosted by Mario Hilario (NBC 10 WJAR) who will bring lively commentary to the day’s various competitions. The event also features the heated Tail Wag Tavern, which will offer holiday cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.
When: Sat., Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Corner of Westminster and Aborn Streets, Providence, bcrcreativerelations.com/holidaypaws

Woonsocket Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll

The Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative & The City of Woonsocket seventeenth annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll will be held on Saturday, December 6. Always held the first Saturday in December, this is a wonderful event for families and friends. Visitors can enjoy entertainment such as choirs, singers and dancers all afternoon and evening on both the Market Square Stage and brand-new stage at River Island Art Park. Stroll activities and decorations will span from Market Square to Monument Square and up to North Main Street. These include a scavenger hunt with great prizes, a tree ornament contest, local craft artisans at Millrace Event Space, a fire performer, a best dressed window contest, a free trolley bus ride around the downtown area, and the crowd favorite horse and buggy ride. Furthermore, River Island Art Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, and Santa will arrive by fire truck around 4 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. Additional activities in the area will include pony rides, a petting zoo, live ice sculpture and food trucks. Meanwhile, don’t miss special activities like Showcase Pro Wrestling, a holiday open house featuring a LEGO workshop at the Museum of Work & Culture, and pictures with Santa at Beacon Charter High School.
When: Sat., Dec. 6 from 2–8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Woonsocket, dwc02895.org

Light Up Garden City

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, Garden City Center welcomes guests to enjoy an enchanting stroll through twinkling light displays, live entertainment and festive performances — all of which will lead up to Santa’s big arrival at 4:30 p.m., as well as a special tree lighting at 5 p.m.
When: Sun., Dec. 7 from 2–6 p.m.
Where: Garden City Center, 100 Midway Rd., Cranston, 401-942-2800, gardencitycenter.com

Candlelight Christmas Carols

On Thursday, December 11, Candlelight, the globally acclaimed series of live concerts, will takeover Bishop McVinney Auditorium with thousands of flickering candles and host an unforgettable string quartet performance of classic Christmas carols and timeless holiday melodies. The tentative program includes the “12 Days of Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” “Deck the Halls,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel,” and more.  The series was created with the aim of making music more accessible by bringing it to unique venues beyond the traditional concert hall. Ticket prices range from $35 to $55 and can be purchased here.
When: Thurs., Dec. 11 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Bishop McVinney Auditorium, 43 Dave Gavitt Way, Providence, 401-278-4588, mcvinneyauditorium.org

Courtesy of Sakonnet Vineyard

Christmas Cookie and Wine Tasting 

On Saturday, December 13, head to Sakonnet Vineyard to enjoy a selection of classic Christmas cookies crafted by the pastry team at the Coast Guard House and paired with Sakonnet wines, all while listening to the live modern acoustic stylings of Stefan Couture. Throughout the season, guests can also enjoy mulled wine and hot chocolate by the fire in the tasting room and outdoors by the fire pits and heaters.

When: Sat., Dec. 13 at noon (music performance begins at 1 p.m.)

Where: Sakonnet Vineyard, 162 W Main Rd., Little Compton, 401-635-8486, sakonnetwine.com

Christmas library. Courtesy of the Lippitt House Museum

Holidays at Lippitt House Museum

On Saturday, December 13^th, guests are invited to enjoy the festively decorated Lippitt House Museum and discover how families like the Lippitts celebrated Christmas in the nineteenth century. Enjoy a short guided tour of the Victorian mansion and then feel free to wander through the space adorned with sparkling trees, garlands and twinkling lights (hint: perfect for taking family photos!). While there you also can create your own Victorian-inspired paper ornament. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, $2 for SNAP EBT cardholders, and free for children younger than twelve.
When: Sat., Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. Note: Timed entries at 12, 1 and 2 p.m.
Where: Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope St., Providence, 401-453-0688, preserveri.org/lippitt-house-museum