Nearly 400 years of historic charm breeds the coziest of holiday seasons on The Classic Coast.

Think cobblestone streets lined with the glow of white lights, the glitter and gold of Gilded Age mansions bedecked with dozens of Christmas trees and thousands of poinsettias, and warm, quaint shops with candlelit windows. Truth be told, enchanting doesn't quite begin to explain it.

We rounded up some of the most classic holiday events in and around Newport this season. Full of tradition and enchantment, here's everything you need to make the season merry and bright.

 

Holiday Events

All things merry and bright. 

Holidays at The Newport Mansions

Back to Top of List
Where:
The Breakers, Marble House, Chateau-sur-Mer and The Elms
When:
November 22, 2025 - January 1, 2026

Wander the mansions, The BreakersMarble HouseChateau-sur-Mer and The Elms bedecked in ornamented evergreens, Christmas trees that reflect the rooms they occupy, wreaths, fresh flowers, dining tables set with period silver and china, decorations on all mantelpieces and many more festive touches. 

Please note: All houses closed Thanksgiving Day, November 28 and Christmas Day, December 25. Houses close early on December 24 at 2:00 PM. 

More Details

Christmas at Marble House

 

Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

Back to Top of List
Where:
The Breakers
When:
Various evenings throughout the holiday season, November 21 – December 28, 2025
Hours:
Timed admission, 4:00 to 6:00 PM, (every half-hour)

An outdoor magical wonderland.

For the sixth year, the exterior of The Breakers and its landscape will be awash in thousands of festive colored lights illuminating the grounds' paths and trees. The gardens will be decorated in different themes as holiday music fills the air.

Walk through a dazzling 50-foot-long tunnel of light, see illuminated snowmen, reindeer and many more sparkling surprises. Afterwards, don't forget to make your way to the Children’s Cottage outlined in lights to take a peek through the windows at Santa’s Workshop. 

More Details

Breakers Holiday

 

Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade

Back to Top of List
Where:
Newport Harbor
When:
Saturday, November 29th at 6:00 PM (originally scheduled on the 28th)
Cost:
Free

EVENT UPDATE: Due to high winds, the illuminated boat parade has been postponed to Saturday, November 29th — same time, same place! ⛵️
 

Bundle up and head to the harbor for the Illuminated Boat Parade as boats deck the hulls and festive music heralds the arrival of the holiday season. Watch the parade of lights are boats compete for best decorated.

More Details

Newport Illuminated Boat Parade

 

Newport Nutcracker

Back to Top of List
Where:
Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
When:
Wednesday, November 26 at 5:30pm, Friday November 28 – Sunday, November 30, Tuesday December 2 – Friday, December 5, times vary by performance date
Cost:
Starting at $148 per person

Newport Contemporary Ballet invites you to enjoy their Rhode Island ballet tradition, A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff. 

Follow the young protagonist through the rooms of Rosecliff mansion as she celebrates the holiday season with her family, battles with the Mouse King, dances with the Snow Queen, and travels with her beloved Nutcracker to the magical Land of Sweets.

More Details

Newport Nutcracker

 

Santa Magic at Long Wharf

Back to Top of List
Where:
Shops at Long Wharf
When:
November 29th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM (Rain Date: November 30th)

The name say's it all—Santa Magic.

Come join the shops at Long Wharf for their 4th annual tree lighting. This is a free community event with Santa. Tree lighting, pictures with Santa, kids crafts, letters to Santa, music and much more.

Santa Magic

More Details

 

Bristol Santa House

Back to Top of List
Where:
140 High Street, Bristol, RI
When:
Various Dates

File under: places that make you feel like a kid again.

The Bristol Santa House is an inclusive experience for children with disabilities and their families to visit with Santa Claus. The Bristol Santa House welcomes the public, but please know that the core mission is serving families with special needs children, who schedule private visits to ensure an accessible experience. 

THE SCHEDULE
  • 11/22: Santa Claus Party
  • 11/27: Closed — Happy Thanksgiving
  • 12/3: Open to the Public
  • 12/5: Open to the Public
  • 12/6 & 12/7: Bristol Christmas Festival & Grand Illumination
  • 12/10: Open to the Public
  • 12/14: Open to the Public
  • 12/17: Open to the Public
  • 12/19: Open to the Public
  • 12/21: Open to the Public

Public visits are always free, wait times may vary. For the full schedule, and hours of operation, click here

Bristol Santa House

 

Bristol Holiday Preview Weekend

Back to Top of List
Where:
Downtown Bristol. RI
When:
Friday, November 21st & Saturday, November 22nd

Shop, Stroll & Be Merry!

The BMA (Bristol Merchants Association) is hosting their 30th annual Holiday Preview Weekend. Starting on Friday, followed by all-day strolling on Saturday. Follow the luminaries to stores participating in the Holiday Preview!

Find unique gifts, sip refreshments and delight in the sights & sounds of the season. Bring a friend or two along and make an evening of it!

 

More Details

 

Christmas in Newport

Back to Top of List
Where:
Throughout Newport
When:
November 22 - December 31

Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the non-commercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 55th year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar.

Enjoy a series of concerts, tree lightings, craft fairs and so much more.

More Details

Christmas at Blithewold Manor

Back to Top of List
Where:
Blithewold Manor, 101 Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI
When:
November 25th, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Each year, Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum transforms into a sparkling display of Christmas magic to celebrate the season. Wander the elaborately decorated rooms and enjoy a glimpse into the family's Christmas and New Years traditions. (Closed December 24th and 25th)

Don't Miss: Stroll the grounds at night to catch Blithewold's newest holiday display, Night Magic! Explore the beautifully lit gardens and grounds with custom light displays, handmade bamboo ornaments, “selfie” photo opportunities, and a scavenger hunt with clues hidden throughout. Finish the night around cozy fires, s'mores kits, seasonal music, hot drinks, and so much more! 

More Details

Night Lights Blithewold Mansion Christmas

 

more holiday events at blithewold

Warren Holiday Festival

Back to Top of List
Where:
Downtown Warren
When:
November 28th & 29th

Starting over 40 years ago, the annual Warren Holiday Festival was created to kick-off the holiday season. 

Today, the event marks its 36th season with events on both Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th. Events include visits from Santa paired with hot chocolate and cookies, to holiday crafts and festive shows, to downtown caroling and the iconic Main Street light ceremony. 

More Details

 

Lighting of the Lighthouse

Back to Top of List
Where:
Newport Harbor Island Resort, Newport
When:
Saturday, November 29th at 5:00 PM

Make your way to Newport Harbor Island Resort for a lighting of the lighthouse on Saturday, November 29 at 5:00 PM.

Enjoy holiday carolers, festive decor, spiked ciders and hot chocolate for the kids, all with panoramic views of the iconic Newport Bridge. Guests and locals alike are welcome to join us in kicking off Newport’s holiday festivities!

More Details

Goat Island Lighthose

 

A Rough Point Holiday

Back to Top of List
Where:
Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
When:
Friday - Sunday, November 28th - December 28th from 10:00 AM - 4:00PM

Experience the holiday traditions at Doris Duke’s Newport home during the coziest and merriest days of the year.

Rooms of the museum will be spruced up for the Christmas holiday, while other rooms will be cloaked in their winter coverings. Together, these spaces tell the story of Rough Point’s holiday traditions and the off-season routines of one of Newport’s summer cottages.

Tickets can be purchased here, and are free for Newport County residents. 

Want to go at night? Experience A Rough Point Holiday: After Dark on Friday and Saturday nights from 4:00 - 5:30 PM. 

More Details

 

   

Annual Santa Ride

Back to Top of List
Where:
Bike Newport
When:
Thursday, December 18th from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Cost:
Free

It’s time for some rolling HOHOHOs!

Join us for a jingle bell roll around downtown Newport with a few especially festive stops along the way. We’ll meet across the street from Bike Newport HQ in front of City Hall and roll out at 5:30 PM. Headlights required; decorative lights and Santa suits encouraged

More Details

 

Holiday Lantern Walking Tour

Back to Top of List
When:
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday

Take a lantern-lit stroll through Newport’s historic streets and learn how early Newporters celebrated the holidays. Join this enchanting guided tour Fridays through Sundays at 4:00 PM, November 14 - December 28, 2025.

More Details

 

Holiday Bright Night in Tiverton

Back to Top of List
Where:
Historic Tiverton Four Corners
When:
Friday, December 5 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Cost:
Free

Picture this: the quaint and charming Tiverton Four Corners decked in holiday decor and illuminating lights with open galleries, holiday shopping, exclusive deals and a visit from Santa.

Stay for the opening of The Four Corners Arts Center 12th Annual re-Tree Community Exhibition, adding even more lights and magic to the event. 

More Details

 

Annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting

Back to Top of List
Where:
Bowen's Wharf
When:
Saturday, December 6, Festivities begin at 12:30, Tree Lighting at 6:00
Cost:
Free

Make your way to Bowen's Wharf for an enchanting day of caroling, holiday shopping, and family fun on Saturday, December 6 for the 55th Annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting. 

Festivities begin at 12:30 with a visit from Santa, followed by an afternoon of live music and a carol sing-along. At 6:00 PM, head to the center of the wharf to watch as the mayor of Newport lights the tree, followed by the cheerful arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by boat, weather permitting. 

Bowen's Wharf Tree Lighting
More Details

 

Holiday Strolls, Markets, Sip & Shops

Back to Top of List

Holiday shopping made simple. Here are a list of local sip & shop events happening this holiday season:

 

Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination

Back to Top of List
Where:
400 Hope Street, Bristol
When:
Saturday, December 6, 5:30 PM
Cost:
Free

Bristol's Tree Lighting and Grand Illumination heralds the arrival of the holidays in downtown Bristol with live music and entertainment, a Christmas sing-a-long, a visit from Santa, the Grand Illumination of the town tree and more. 

This year will feature a parade in celebration of the 38th Grand Illumination beginning at 5:00 PM, with live music from the local school choruses and a talented soloist.

More Details

 

Bristol Christmas Festival: European Marketplace

Back to Top of List
When:
Saturday, December 6th from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sunday, December 7th from 12:00 - 5:00 PM

A European-style Christmas market in downtown Bristol makes its return December 6th and 7th.

This two-day festival will feature rustic huts, festival foods like holiday pastries, wine, and pretzels, live music, craft vendors and so many more seasonal favorites. 

More Details

Bristol Christmas Market

 

Where to See Santa

Back to Top of List

You can catch Santa all around The Classic Coast as we near Christmas. 

From brunch buffets and tree lightings to sing-a-longs and even some photo shoots for your fur children, here's where you can catch Saint Nick before Christmas arrives. 

  1. Santa Magic at Long Wharf
  2. Bristol Santa House
  3. Warren Holiday Festival
  4. Annual Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting
  5. Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination
  6. Bristol Christmas Festival: European Marketplace
  7. Christmas Open House at Glen Manor House
  8. Sing-Along with Santa
  9. Brunch With Santa
  10. A Visit With Santa
  11. Pictures With Santa Paws
More Details

Santa Magic

Jamestown Village Holiday Stroll

Back to Top of List
Where:
Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown Village
When:
Saturday, December 6th from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost:
Free Admission

Shop Local. Dine Local. Discover Jamestown.

Celebrate the holiday season in Jamestown Village! Enjoy craft fairs at local churches and schools, plus open houses throughout the Commercial District featuring holiday sales, treats, festive music, and more!

More Details

 

Christmas in Newport at The Colony House

Back to Top of List
Where:
Colony House
When:
Saturday, December 13th from 12:00 to 2:00 PM

Christmas in Newport presents four readings of the poem “A Visit from St. Nicolas” and pictures with Santa on Saturday, December 13, from 12:00-2:00 PM at the Colony House, Washington Square, Newport.

Readings will take place at 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM with a reading in Spanish at 1:30 PM. Christmas in Newport at the Colony House is a free event open to the public. Don’t forget to bring your camera for pictures with Santa Claus!

More Details

 

Coastal Queen Cruises — Holiday Cruises

Back to Top of List

Christmas Open House at Glen Manor House

Back to Top of List
Where:
Glen Manor House, Portsmouth
When:
December 7, 2025 from 1:30 to 4:00 PM, Santa Arrives: 2:45 PM

With extraordinary decorations and Yuletide cheer, the Glen Manor House will be open to the public at their annual Christmas Open House event.

Bring the family for a holiday celebration and more. Santa will arrive at 2:45 PM for pictures alongside local talent and entertainment.

More Details

 

Christmas Dinners

Back to Top of List

From a traditional feast of seven fishes on Christmas Eve to butternut squash and apple cider soup all the way down to chocolate peppermint torte, 'tis the season to be so very jolly.

  1. Christmas Eve Prix-Fixe at Newport Harbor Island Resort
  2. Christmas Day Buffet at Newport Harbor Island Resort
  3. Christmas Dinner at The Chanler

more festive fun

View All

more to explore

GET SOCIAL

Tag your photos #TheClassicCoast for the chance to be featured on our accounts.