The magic of Christmas returns to the Newport Mansions starting Saturday, November 18, 2017 through January 1, 2018. The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will each be dressed in beautiful trees, ornaments, fresh flowers, wreaths and evergreens, sure to invoke the Christmas spirit in both adults and children.
Explore a total of 30 decorated Christmas trees of all sizes, plus thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens and wreaths, plus white candles in each of the windows throughout the three houses, all tailored to match the historic decor.
New this year, on display in the kitchen of each mansion will be a large gingerbread model of the house, each created by a local pastry chef. Also new this year, in the butler's pantry of The Breakers, a 9-foot Christmas tree will be decorated with ornaments made by 4th grade students at Newport's Pell Elementary School.
The traditional 15-foot tall red poinsettia tree will once again be on view in the Great Hall of The Breakers. Made up of nearly 150 individual plants, the poinsettia tree is a perennial visitor favorite. On the second floor loggia, model train reproductions of the Vanderbilt family's New York Central Railroad will run through a vintage landscape, overseen by volunteers from the Little Rhody Division of the National Model Railroad Association.
At The Elms, a winter wonderland theme in the ballroom will feature period sleighs and lanterns, mannequins wearing vintage clothing, trees and a topiary horse. There will also be a "selfie" photo spot, where visitors can take their own photos surrounded by a gilded frame. Also on display at The Elms will be a collection of vintage toys.
Marble House will feature two new Christmas trees on its first floor, in the gold ballroom and the library, as well as a large fresh-cut tree outside the front door, decorated with white lights to complement the white candles in the windows.
Among the three houses there will be 24 decorated mantelpieces, each with its own theme. At Marble House, regional garden clubs will decorate the fireplace mantels in the second floor rooms in a competitive challenge. Each club will be given a subsidy for materials, and their creations will be judged by certified flower show judges.
Visit with Santa Claus
Santa Claus will make a special trip to Newport from the North Pole to visit the houses in December to visit with children from noon to 3:00 PM at The Breakers on December 3, Marble House on December 10, and The Elms on December 17. Included in the regular admission price. Don’t forget your camera!
Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions
Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions recreate the ambience of an evening soirée during the Gilded Age. These open house evenings allow guests to stroll at their leisure through the decorated house, listening to live holiday music and enjoying cookies, eggnog and cider. Holiday Evenings at The Breakers are scheduled for Saturdays, November 25, December 2, 9, 23 and 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On December 16, guests can enjoy a Holiday Evening Duet: The Elms and Marble House, and see both of those houses for the price of one, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission:
Adults: $35 in advance, $45 day-of the event
Children 6-17: $10 in advance, $15 day-of.
Children under 6: free
Preservation Society members: $30 in advance, $35 day-of.
On December 16, a single ticket provides admission to The Elms and Marble House, as well as shuttle service operating between the two houses. More information and tickets are available online at NewportMansions.org, or call 401-847-1000.
Shopping at the Newport Mansions Stores
The shopping season at the Newport Mansions Store gets underway with the annual Members' Sale from November 16-19. Preservation Society members enjoy 25% off all purchases at The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House and the downtown Newport store at Bannister’s Wharf.
The stores will also host book signings, food tastings and other shopping events throughout the season.
Holiday Operating Schedule
The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will be fully decorated and open daily for tours starting Saturday, November 18, 2017, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, through January 1, 2018. In addition, Rosecliff will close briefly from November 18 to December 2 to accommodate the "Newport Nutcracker", but will reopen on December 3 for tours and visits to the exhibition.
DEAL ALERT
The Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all four houses can be purchased for $30 for adults, $10 for children 6-17. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free. Individual house tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at NewportMansions.org or at each property.
