Wander the mansions, The Breakers, Marble House, Chateau-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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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!

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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.

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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! 

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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. 

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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!

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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

• November 28th & 29th: Holiday Shop & Stroll at West Place Animal Sanctuary
• December 4th: Holiday Sip & Shop at OceanCliff
• December 4th, 11th, &18th: Sip & Shop at Conanicut Gift Shop
• December 5th & 6th: Franklin Street Holiday Stroll
• December 5th: Holiday Extravaganza at Newport Vineyards
• December 6th: IYRS Artisan Holiday Market
• December 13th: Holiday Sip & Shop at Newport Art Museum
• December 21st: Annual Christmas Specialty Market in Tiverton
• Wednesday - Monday:  Kristi's Holiday Market & Cafe
• Wednesday - Sunday: Annual Holiday Invitational Artisans Gift Marketplace

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.

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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. 

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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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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