Newport, Rhode Island transforms into a magical winter wonderland each holiday season. For over 54 years, the city has celebrated Christmas in Newport with festive light displays, charming holiday markets, seasonal feasts, and visits from Santa Claus. See below for more details about this year’s holiday happenings.
- Holidays at the Newport Mansions:
- The Breakers: A Newport tradition, a 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree will be front and center in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 poinsettia plants – providing a perfect holiday photo opportunity. Additionally, the property will feature a dazzling 50-foot-long tunnel of lights with illuminated snowmen, reindeer and sparkling surprises. The back terrace will have warming stations and adult beverages including hot chocolate with liqueur, apple cider with bourbon, wine and beer. Families will enjoy holidays sweets and treats, and get a s’mores kit to cook over the fire pit!
- Chateau-sur-Mer: Its first floor will be fully decorated in the spirit of the holidays – the first time in 25 years! Open for the first two weeks of the holiday season.
- Marble House and The Elms: Wander through rooms adorned with magnificent Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and fresh floral arrangements, each thoughtfully curated to complement the elegance and uniqueness of each of these grand homes.
- The Newport Contemporary Ballet Presents: Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff: The timeless story of The Nutcracker unfolds in the beautiful, majestic halls of Rosecliff Mansion.
- Christmas at Blithewold: This year’s theme, “The Early Years: The Bristol Community and Blithewold, 1896–1914,” highlights the Blithewold family’s connections with local residents decorating key rooms to showcase the Bristol residents who impacted the family.
- Coastal Celebrations
- Illuminated Boat Parade: Spectators can view the dazzling display of nautical holiday spirit from many points on the Newport waterfront as the decorated vessels circumnavigate Newport Harbor.
- Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting: A local favorite event, the 54th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting will feature a visit from Santa, live music, and a carol sing-along before the tree lighting ceremony at night.
- Holiday Markets: This December, make sure to visit Christmas by the Sea at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, where you can shop a curated collection of handcrafted gifts by local artisans, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Wayfinder Newport’s Holiday Sips & Splurge market, where you’ll find unique treasures and seasonal crafts. For a true taste of European holiday charm, head to the European Christmas Marketplace in nearby Bristol, where you can shop for local goods, sip mulled wine, and enjoy live performances under twinkling lights.
- Festive Holiday Feasts
- Michelin-rated Meals: Indulge in an Epicurean Christmas at Cara at The Chandler with a six or seven course Blind Tasting menu on Christmas Eve or a Four-course Prix Fixe menu on Christmas Day. Over at Castle Hill, enjoy the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditional three-course dinner menu with a holiday twist while cozying up to the fireplace and swaying to live music. Both the Chanler and Castle Hill Inn were recently designated with Two Key recognitions.
- Cozy Taverns: Visitors throughout the season can warm up with The Black Pearl’s famous clam chowder, a festive round of oysters and martinis at Clarke Cooke House or enjoy a hearty seasonal meal at White Horse Tavern, America’s oldest tavern.