We made it through 2020, which truly is a cause for celebration. While events, exhibits and overall travel still look pretty different in 2021 as of right now, there's still plenty to explore in and around Newport. If you missed the chance to experience the city's holiday lights displays before the new year, worry not. Sparkling lights at The Breakers, an outdoor lights display (the first ever at Newport's largest mansion!) is on display through January 10, while A Rough Point Holiday and Night Lights at Blithewold Mansion remain open through January 3. For a dose of fresh air, head over to the Showfish Igloo Pop-Up at Gurney's Newport Resort, or bundle up and make your way to Simmons Farm for a goat hike. For more ideas, check out our picks for the month below.
COVID-19 NOTE:
When you're ready, we can't wait to welcome you back to The Classic Coast! Rest assured, local restaurants, shops, and businesses are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of all. This includes wearing mandatory face coverings, following guidelines put in place by health and government officials, and implementing stringent cleaning practices.
All we ask when you land on these shores is that you play your part in keeping everyone safe. Please be kind, wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain six feet of social distancing from others.
NIGHT LIGHTS OUTDOOR ILLUMINATED EXPERIENCE
Through January 3, 4:00 - 2:00 PM
Where: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Admission: Adults: $10, Children: $5
Beautifully lit paths throughout the grounds reveal stunning custom light displays, handmade bamboo ornaments, virtual-reality stops, “selfie” photo opportunities, and all the beauty that Blithewold’s gardens and arboretum have to offer. Plus, enjoy an interactive all-ages illuminated scavenger hunt. On Wednesday and Saturday nights, RI Cruisin' Cocktails will be serving non-alcoholic cider, hot chocolate, coffee, and some hot drinks with a kick.
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FREE FAMILY FUN DAY
January 2, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium
Admission: Free
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Enjoy nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
The Schedule:
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Scavenger Hunt
- 10:30 AM + 2:30 PM: Nature Story
- 11:00 AM: Refuge Hike (weather permitting)
- 1:30 PM: Animal Interview
SPARKLING LIGHTS AT THE BREAKERS
Through January 10, 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: The Breakers
Admission: Adults: $26, Children: $8
For the first time ever the grounds and exterior of The Breakers is adorned in thousands of festive-colored lights for the next exhibit, Sparkling Lights: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland. Catch the Children’s Cottage outlined in lights and peek through the windows at Santa’s Workshop inside.
Please note: The last interior tour admission is at 5:00 PM
SIMMONS FARM MOZZARELLA CHEESE-MAKING CLASS
January 23, 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Simmons Farm
Admission: $99
Spend an afternoon learning the art of mozzarella cheese-making with Simmons Farm's resident cheese-maker, Karla Simmons. You'll learn how to make cheese curds, and stretch and form the curds into mozzarella. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to make homemade fresh butter using fresh-from-the-farm cream. Take a short break to sample some of the other cheeses the farm produces alongside local wine from Newport Vineyards, beers from RI's Revival Brewery or seltzers/sodas from RI's Yacht Club Soda. The class will wrap up when everybody has a delicious ball of mozzarella, a 1/4 lb. of butter and a gift bag containing a kit for you to make more mozzarella at home in a Simmons Farm tote bag.
CLASSIC MOVIE THURSDAYS
Weekly on Thursdays through February 25, 4:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Brenton Hotel
Admission: Adults: $26, Children: $8
Join Brenton Hotel in the Living Room for Gilded-Age-inspired cocktails and classic movies. Cocktail service begins nightly at 4:00 PM, and the feature presentation begins at 7:00 PM. Admission to the movie night is open to the general public, featured cocktails and full Living Room menu is also available.
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HOT CHOCOLATE BAR
Through January 2
Where: The Chanler
Admission: A la carte
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.
Please note: The Chanler will close for maintenance January 3 - February 4; the hot chocolate bar will reopen February 5.
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NEWPORT ART MUSEUM WINTER SPEAKER SERIES: DARRELL WEST
January 23, 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual, Live on Zoom
Admission: $15
The 93rd Annual Winter Speaker Series launches live on Zoom with the ever-engaging Darrell West, whose position at the Brookings Institution affords him access to the national political scene from the inside. The next administration will need to continue to manage the pandemic, respond to social unrest, and remedy broadly felt economic hardship, among other challenges. At a time when the country remains sharply divided, West will discuss these significant political and policy challenges facing the next president.
NEWPORT ART MUSEUM WINTER SPEAKER SERIES: SUSAN SOLOMON
January 30, 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual, Live on Zoom
Admission: $15
Humans have faced a series of national and global environmental challenges in the past half-century, including smog, the use of lead in gasoline, and ozone depletion. How can we address these environmental challenges to ensure our sustainable future? Solomon, recipient of the nation’s highest scientific honor, the US National Medal of Science, will reveal how success in addressing past environmental challenges has been achieved through a combination of science, public policy, industry participation, and the engagement of citizens.
HOODS UP WEEKEND
January 9 - 10, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Newport Car Museum
Join Portsmouth's Newport Car Museum as they lift the hoods on 75+ cars so you can see what makes them rock, rumble and roar.
