December is the month of holiday and Christmas events in Rhode Island. The lights and decorations go up, classic holiday tunes pump through every radio speaker and the air is filled with the smells of sugar cookies and hot chocolate. There is are so many wonderful events to be excited for this year.
Holiday and Christmas Events in Rhode Island, Schedule 2012:
Cranston Holiday Events
Artists’ Exchange Events and Performances
Saturday, December 1st from 9AM – 6PM is the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Come and build your gingerbread house and enjoy holiday festivities.
From December 6th – 22nd, Artists’ Exchange will be performing A Christmas Carol.
Finishing off their holiday season festivities is the 2012 Holiday Gala on December 22nd from 4PM – 7:30PM at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. This event features an elegant meal and the final showing of A Christmas Carol.
Newport Holiday Events
Christmas in Newport
Every year Newport hosts a big, month-long Christmas festival. Some of the highlights of The 42nd Annual Christmas in Newport include:
December 1st – Opening ceremony featuring the 42nd Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting and Open House (4:30 PM)
December 7th – 32nd Annual Newport Yachting Center Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Newport Skating Center (5:30 PM)
December 16th – “Madeline Meets the Nutcracker” at Stanford White Casino Theatre (3 PM)
December 22nd – 20th Annual Messiah & Carol Sing: “The Christmas Story” at Emmanual Church (7 PM)
Additional events include: Train rides, lantern tours and Santa appearances. See the huge list of events over at the official Christmas in Newport site.
Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Running concurrently with Christmas in Newport is the Christmas at the Newport Mansions. This event features tours of the decorated mansions from November 17th – January 1st as well as visits with Santa, live entertainment and more.
North Kingstown Events
Christmas at the Castle
December 1st and 2nd (Noon – 4PM), Smith’s Castle is hosting the Christmas at the Castle where the halls will be decked in period fashion with live music, baked treats and hot cider.
Pawtucket Holiday Events
Winter Wonderland 2012
Winter Wonderland is an annual celebration in Pawtucket spanning two weekends in Slater Park. This year Winter Wonderland is running December 1st – 2nd and December 8th – 9th from 4PM-8PM. These weekends feature live musical and dance performances, arts & crafts and even an appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Providence Holiday Events
Ice Skating at Greater Kennedy Plaza
Public ice skating begins at the Greater Kennedy Plaza on November 21st. This 14,000 square foot ice rink will operate from 10AM – 10PM on weekdays and 11AM – 10PM on weekends. Entrance price is $6 for adults and $3 for seniors and children. Rentals are $4.
A Christmas Carol
From now until December 29th, the Trinity Repertory Company will be performing the classic, A Christmas Carol. Tickets start at $15.
Santa’s Coming to the Zoo!
Roger Williams Park Zoo is getting a very special visit from Santa on November 24th, 25th, December 1st and 2nd. There’s a lot of event spanning the whole day, it will not disappoint.
Annual Holiday Celebration
The annual RISD museum’s holiday party on December 2nd from noon to 5PM. Features live music, craft project and Santa will make an appearance. This event is free.
Handel’s Messiah
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah at the VETS on December 8th at 7PM, tickets start at $15.
Brown University Chorus will also be performing Handel’s Messiah Part 1 on December 9th at 3:30PM in Sayles Hall, tickets are $10+.
“The Nutcracker”
The Providence Performing Arts Center will be featuring “The Nutcracker” from December 14th – 16th. This timeless Christmas ballet will only be showing 4 times, so get your tickets soon. Ticket prices start at $23 and up.
Westerly Holiday Events
Christmas Pops
On December 16th at 4PM and 6PM, the Chorus of Westerly will be performing Christmas classics at the George Kent Performance Hall. Tickets start at $25.
Woonsocket Holiday Events
Holiday Pops Concert
The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra will be performing holiday favorites at the Stadium Theatre on November 23rd at 8PM.
Nutcracker Ballet
The Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre is hosting the winter favorite: The Nutcracker. The performance will run from December 14th – 16th.
What are your favorite holiday or Christmas events in Rhode Island?
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Great list! Me and my family do the nutcracker every year. The providence performing arts center is a nice smaller venue without all the traffic and hassle of Boston. My family and I always make a nice evening out of this event by going to a local restaurant beforehand.
Hi Nikki,
I had heard that the Providence Performing Arts Center was really nice. I hope you have another great time this year at the nutcracker.