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. 

This 16-foot tall lighthouse made of 350 pounds of gingerbread and more than 2,400 pieces of candy is created by the culinary staff at the Newport Marriott. 

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. 

More Details

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

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

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

Hot chocolate is a winter-in-New-England right of passage. When temperatures dip, there's few places we'd rather be than cozied up in front of a fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate.

For a decadent experience, make your way to The Chanler at Cliff Walk, a luxury hotel nestled in a former 19th-century private mansion, for a sip of gourmet hot chocolate from their hot chocolate bar on Saturday & Sundays this November and December.

More Details

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

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

Hop aboard the cozy and warm Coastal Queen Cruises for a series of Meet and Greet Cruises with Santa Claus.

The cruises will feature hot chocolate and a festively decorated boat filled with holiday music, scenic views, and holiday cheer. The cruises are 60 minutes long and there are seven departures leaving from Bowen's Wharf in Newport:

• December 14th at 2:00 PM
• December 19th at 11:00 AM
• December 20th at 11:00 AM
• December 20th at 1:00 PM
• December 21st at 11:00 AM
• December 22nd at 11:00 AM
• December 23rd at 11:00 AM

More Details

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

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

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.

More Details

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