Come December, unmatched Christmas charm practically envelops this coast. Snow-kissed treetops, Gilded Age architecture dressed in twinkling white lights, cozy boutique shops and bustling wharves boasting decadent Christmas trees make this coastal enclave like something straight out of a Charles Dickens novel.
Each year since 1971, December 1 has marked the kick off of Christmas in Newport, a month-long celebration complete with festive events and happenings to honor the season and give back to charities throughout the community. Experience events for nearly each day throughout December as part of the celebration.
ABOUT
Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the noncommercial traditions of the holiday season. Today, it comprises 31 days of celebration hosted by residents, shopkeepers and local do-gooders who raise thousands of dollars to give back to charities throughout the community. Luckily for us, that means multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar.
The schedule below is courtesy of christmasinnewport.org
ONGOING EVENTS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
OFFICIAL OPENING OF CHRISTMAS IN NEWPORT
When: 5:00 PM
Where: Washington Square
Admission: Free
Features proclamation from the Mayor, tree lighting, Newport Artillery cannon salute, music by the Newport Public Schools music program.
Santa's Workshop
When: 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Easton's Beach Rotunda
Admission: $5 per child
Includes: goody bag, crafts, cookie decorating, a ride on the carousel, and a visit with Santa.
Newport Historical Society Holiday Open House
When: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Newport Colony House
Admission: Free, donations welcome
Tour the Newport Colony House before the Christmas in Newport Official Opening Ceremony and enjoy the sounds of 18th century caroling performed by costumed interpreters from the Second Massachusetts Regiment. Learn the origins of the songs and where they would have been sung.
Annual Lucy’s Hearth Designer Wreath Sale
When: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Easton’s Beach Rotunda
Admission: Free
Christmas wreaths and table top decorations created by designers, artists, gardeners and florists from the community. Also gourmet sweets bake sale. All proceeds go to Lucy’s Hearth.
Trinity Church Christmas Silver Tea
When: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Honyman Hall, Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square
Admission: $12
Holiday high tea.
Christmas Cards for Mariners
When: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Seamen's Church Institute, 18 Market Square
Admission: Free
Drop in to warm up with hot chocolate and write a Christmas card to men and women serving on the seas this Christmas.
Newport Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Shopping Event
When: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Middletown Knights of Columbus Hall, 7 Valley Rd
Admission: Free
Local Artisans and scrumptious baked goods.
Newport County Orchestra in Concert
When: 3:00 PM
Where: Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody Street
Admission: $10 admission, $8 seniors, students.
Classical and holiday music sponsored by the Salve Regina University Music Department.
Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting
When: 4:30 PM
Where: Bowen's Wharf
Admission: Free
Frosty the Snowman and caroling starting at 4:30 PM. Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live music and tree lighting at 6:00 PM.
HOLIDAY CRAFTS AT NEWPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY
When: 2:30 PM
Where: Newport Public Library, 300 Spring Street
Admission: Free, registration required, newportlibraryri
Children ages 5-12 years old are invited to create holiday crafts perfect for gift giving in the John Clarke Children's Program Rm. All materials provided for this free program.
Caroling + Crafting with Newport County Youth Chorus + Emmanuel Church
When: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Where: Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street
Admission: Free
An afternoon of free family fun, holiday caroling, crafting, dancing and treats.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
TOURO SYNAGOGUE 255TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE
When: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Touro Synagogue
Admission: Free
See the magnificent interior of the synagogue, explore the exhibits at the visitors center and enjoy cookies and cider on the patio.
Touro Synagogue Chanukah Party
When: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: Touro Synagogue
Admission: Free, reservations required
Enjoy a family concert and candle lighting in the Synagogue at 4:00 pm and stay after to enjoy latkes with all the trimmings and more holiday fun at the Levi Gale House. Email cji@tourosynagogue.org.
Advent Lessons and Carols
When: 5:00 PM
Where: St. John the Evangelist, 61 Washington Street at Willow Street
Admission: Free
Atmospheric sequence of traditional readings; journey from twilight to light with music.
Newport Community Band/ Salve Regina Jazz Ensemble Concert
When: 3:00 PM
Where: Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody Street
Admission: $10, $8 seniors & students
SRU Newport Community Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Flute Ensemble performing holiday favorites.
Christmas at Whitehall
When: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Whitehall Museum House
Admission: Free
Enjoy wassail and Christmas treats while viewing 18th century Whitehall by candlelight.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
St. George’s School Service of Lessons & Carols
When: 7:30 PM
Where: 372 Purgatory Road, Middletown
Admission: Free
The birth of Jesus is told by lesson and song. Congregational singing and carols by the school choir and hand bell choir.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT REDWOOD LIBRARY & ATHENAEUM
When: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Redwood Library & Athenaeum
Admission: Free
Chariho High School Choir, a pop-up exhibition of selected treasures from the vault, Christmas book display, scavenger hunt, children's crafts and refreshments.
SEAMEN'S CHURCH INSTITUTE OPEN HOUSE
When: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Where: Seamen's Church Institute, 18 Market Square
Admission: Free
Open House tours with music featuring the Emmanuel Church woodwind trio.
NEWPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS
When: 7:30 PM
Where: St. Mary's Church
Admission: $25, $5 children
This heartwarming Christmas concert will delight young and old. Performers include Trevor Neal. Enjoy harp, piano, organ, and percussion accompanied by the children's choirs from St. Mary's and St. John's churches.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
Traditional Christmas Tea at St. Columba’s Chapel Parish Hall
When: Seatings at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Where: 55 Vaucluse Ave., Middletown
Admission: $12 adults, $5 children under 12
Bring your friends and enjoy an oasis of calm in a busy season.
Christmas Open House at Glen Manor House
When: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: 3 Frank Coelho Drive, Portsmouth
Admission: Free
401-683-4177 for details.
NEWPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS
When: 7:30 PM
Where: St. Mary's Church
Admission: $25, $5 children
This heartwarming Christmas concert will delight young and old. Performers include Trevor Neal. Enjoy harp, piano, organ, and percussion accompanied by the children's choirs from St. Mary's and St. John's churches.
Music of the Season
When: 7:00 PM
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Broadway at Everett Street
Admission: Free
An opportunity to sing some favorite carols. In the event of inclement weather the re-schedule date is December 16.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10
CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT JESUS SAVIOR CHURCH
When: 6:30 PM
Where: 509 Broadway
Admission: $10
To benefit Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Wakefield Concert Band.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11
107th Annual Medieval Christmas Pageant
When: 7:30 PM
Where: St. George's School Chapel
Admission: Free
Candlelit service of the portrayal of the Christmas story.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
Annual WADK Christmas Concert at The Newport Marriott
When: 7:00 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: Free, donations of non-perishable food items for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center welcome
Larry Brown's Swinglane Orchestra and a local choral group
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
Student’s Impressions of Christmas in Newport
When: 5:30 PM
Where: Newport Yacht Club, 110 Long Wharf
Admission: Free
Student K-12 art exhibit, commemorative Christmas in Newport postmark, United States Postal Service. Light refreshments. 401-846-9410.
CAROLING ON BROADWAY
When: 3:30 PM
Where: Starting at the Colony House
Admission: Free
Join local musician Christopher Carbone, Thompson Middle School chorus and OBNA in a caroling along Broadway. All are welcome to participate.
Christmas on the Point
When: 7:00 PM
Where: Church of St. John the Evangelist, Washington and Willow Street
Admission: Suggested donation $15, seniors/students $10
Merry organ music, professional choristers of the Choir School of Newport County and the adult choir of St. John's Church, instrumental selections with the reading of "The Christmas Story."
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
Christmas at Mount Zion: The Reason for the Season
When: 7:00 PM
Where: Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, 101 Van Zandt Ave.
Admission: Free will offering
An evening of sacred and secular Christmas music by the Voices of Unity/RPM Voices of Rhode Island.
Christmas in Song by the Newport Navy Choristers
When: 7:30 PM
Where: St. Barnabus Church, 1697 East Main Road
Admission: $15, $10 students
Concert to benefit Kate Grana Music and Arts Assoc. Portsmouth High School.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Community Tree Decorating at Seaman's Church Institute
When: 12:30 - 1:00 PM
Where: Seaman's Church Institute, 18 Market Square
Admission: Free
Bring an ornament and help decorate the tree before a visit from Santa Claus.
Christmas in Sign Presented by James L. Maher Center
When: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: Casino Theater, 9 Freebody Street
Admission: Free
Christmas songs done in sign language.
HOLIDAY EVENING DUET AT THE ELMS AND MARBLE HOUSE
When: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: The Elms and Marble House
Admission: $35 in advance, $45 at the door
Take a leisurely self-guided evening stroll through both Marble House and The Elms. Enjoy live holiday music and refreshments.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
St. Petersburg (Russian) Men’s Ensemble In Concert
When: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street
Admission: Free, $20 suggested donation
This male quartet will present a dazzling concert of Russian choral music, folk songs, and popular music spanning centuries.
Rhode Island Ballet Theater Presents "Newport Holiday"
When: 4:00 PM
Where: Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody Street
Admission: $25 per person
Includes dances from The Nutcracker and Elf on the Shelf.
A Live Nativity at St. Peter's Lutheran Church
When: 4:00 PM
Where: 525 Broadway
Admission: Free
Dress up and be part of the live Nativity, Crafts, Refreshments, photo opportunities, 5:45 p.m. sing your favorite carols with the angels. In the event of inclement weather, activities will be held inside.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
Winter Solstice Stories & Crafts
When: 10:30 AM
Where: Newport Public Library, 300 Spring Street
Admission: Free
For children 2-6 years old + a caregiver are welcome to celebrate with stories, treats and a craft. In the John Clarke Children's Program Rm. No registration required.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22
ANNUAL "MESSIAH AND CAROL SING: THE CHRISTMAS STORY"
When: 7:00 PM
Where: Emmanuel Church, Spring and Dearborn Streets
Admission: $13, $ children 12 and under, $30 per family
This beloved Christmas in Newport tradition will feature the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah, as well as carols, organ selections, and the telling of the Christmas Story. Bring a score to sing along or just immerse yourself in the gloious sounds of the season.
Holiday Evenings at The Breakers
When: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: The Breakers
Admission: $35 in advance, $45 at the door
Live holiday music and refreshments.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24
CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
When: 5:00 PM + 10:00 PM
Where: 61 Washington Street
Admission: Free
Professional Choristers of the Choir School of Newport County and the adult choir of St. John's Church. Incense free family service.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29
Holiday Evenings at the Breakers
When: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: The Breakers
Admission: $35 in advance, $45 at the door
Live holiday music and refreshments.
Christmas in Newport Candlelight Tour of Historic Private Homes
When: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Throughout Newport
Admission: $3 per house, payable at the door of each residence
Listing of homes and addresses will be available after December 15 at christmasinnewport.org and at the Newport Visitor Information Center. Note: No children under 10 years old and no high heel shoes.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30
Christmas on Historic Hill: A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Trinity Church
When: 4:00 PM
Where: One Queen Anne Square
Admission: Free will offering to support Martin Luther King Cente
Join the choir of Trinity and the Newport Community Youth Choir in a festive celebration of Christmas.
Christmas in Newport Candlelight Tour of Historic Private Homes
When: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Throughout Newport
Admission: $3 per house, payable at the door of each residence
Listing of homes and addresses will be available after December 15 at christmasinnewport.org and at the Newport Visitor Information Center. Note: No children under 10 years old and no high heel shoes.
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