2022 Holiday Events Preview
Wintertime in Newport brings beautiful snow-covered beaches, great shopping, scenic drives, and holiday decorating. The Gilded Age mansions are bedecked in ornamental evergreens and wreaths while the landscaping is awash in thousands of festive colored lights. Roaring fireplaces, historical lantern tours, outdoor ice skating, and local shops swimming in holiday décor bring a smile of holiday cheer from young boys and girls to the young at heart. Newport does not disappoint.
Christmas in Newport is a month-long celebration complete with festive events and happenings to honor the season and give back to local charities. The city’s charm and history make Newport a perfect holiday destination. Here are a few of our favorite seasonal activities:
Lighting Ceremonies
Lighting of the Lighthouse – Newport Harbor Island Resort
November 25th – 5pm
Enjoy an evening of carolers, ice-skating, hot chocolate, and cider, (with the option to spike of course!) as well as festive treats as the Newport Harbor Island Resort kicks off the holiday season with the Lighting of the Lighthouse.
Bellevue Gardens Christmas Tree Lighting
November 26 – 2-5pm
The inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Small Business Saturday. Enjoy live holiday music, photo-ops with Santa in an authentic Audrain classic car, children’s activities, prizes and raffles & treats for your pets.
Santa Magic at Long Wharf Mall
November 26, 4-6PM
Santa Magic will be held at Long Wharf Mall, including a tree lighting ceremony, crafts for kids, and a visit with Santa.
Official Opening of Christmas in Newport
Thursday December 1-6 p.m.
Come to Washington Square and join the Newport Historical Society in celebrating the holiday season. Features proclamation from the Mayor, tree lighting, Newport Artillery cannon salute, music by the Pell School Champions Chorus.
Inaugural King’s Park Tree Lighting
December 1, 2022 – 7:00pm
Bowen’s Wharf – 52nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Bowen’s Wharf (rain or snow!) Festivities start at 12:30 with a visit from Santa, followed by an afternoon full of joyous performances from local musicians and choruses.
6 p.m. – Tree Lighting
Holidays at the Mansions
Holiday Evenings at The Mansions
November 19, 2022-January 1, 2023
Holidays at the Newport Mansions will be more spectacular than ever this year! Come see the festive decorations this season at The Breakers, Marble House & The Elms!
The Breakers, Marble House & The Elms Dressed for the Holidays
Daily 10am-4pm
Gilded Age houses in all their festive finery, glittering with gold and sparkling with silver. Throughout each house, ornately decorated Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements are designed to complement the décor or theme of each room.
Sparkling Lights at The Breakers: Bigger and Brighter Than Ever!
Thursday through Sunday evenings, November 19 – December 23, 2022 December 26 – January 1, 2023 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Stroll along a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights that extends around the entire property for the first time, which includes a 50 foot-long tunnel of light!
This year there are five new fire pits will light the way and help visitors stay warm and festive, with s’mores kits available for purchase.. The back terrace will have warming stations and adult beverages.
The Breakers Welcome Center also will have refreshments, including snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and a fire pit to make s’mores. There will also be adult beverages at a location near the Welcome Center.
Holiday Brunch at The Chinese Tea House
Enjoy a three-course holiday brunch curated by Stoneacre Brasserie in the Chinese tea House. The menu includes a tea tower, an entree selection, and assorted desserts. Complimentary tea service included. Specialty cocktails and wines additional. Available Thanksgiving Weekend – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 25, 26 & 27, Saturday & Sunday, December 16 & 17, and Christmas Week – Monday through Saturday – December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31, 10 am – 3 pm. $55 Adult / $35 Child 2-12
November 23, 25-27 and November 29- December 2.
Doris Duke’s Newport home will be spruced up for the Christmas holiday. You will learn the story of Rough Point’s holiday traditions and the off-season routines of one of Newport’s summer cottages.
Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
November 27, 29, 30, December 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, Various times.
Island Moving Company’s annual holiday traditional ballet performed throughout the first floor of Rosecliff.
Holiday Activities
Friday & Saturday at 4 p.m. on November 18-December 30, 2022. Tours depart from The Museum of Newport History and Shop, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI, and cost $20 per person, $15 for Society members and active-duty military with ID. Advance registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Purchase tickets by calling 401-841-8770 or by visiting https://newporthistorytours.org or at the Museum of Newport History & Shop.
Newport Harbor Illuminated Holiday Harbor Lights Boat Parade
Nov. 25, 2022, 6 p.m. View the parade from Newport Yacht Club (Open to the Public), Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf, and all points around Newport Harbor.
Franklin Street Holiday Stroll
December 3, 2022: 12pm-6pm
Street-wide holiday stroll, festive holiday décor, shops will offer specialty gifts, music, treats and more!
December 1, 2022 – January 6, 2023 4pm Daily
Stop by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and enjoy the spectacular holiday light display on the historic Horseshoe court.
December 3, 9 a.m.- Noon
Rotunda at Easton’s Beach. Christmas wreaths and table-top decorations created by designers, artists, gardeners and florists from the community. Also gourmet sweets bake sale. All proceeds go to Lucy’s Hearth.
Makers Workshop: Mistletoe – themed Decorations
December 3rd – 1-3pm
Craft workshop where you will make 3 mistletoe-inspired decorations while sipping cider.
Meet and Greet Cruise with Santa
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Coastal Queen will host a special Meet and Greet and Cruise with Santa Claus. This cruise for children will feature hot chocolate and a candy cane will be given to each child as they exit the boat. The cruise is 60 minutes long and departs from Bowen’s Wharf in Newport at 1:00pm.
For a full list of activities, including concerts and kids holiday themed crafts please visit
Wishing you and yours the best for the holiday season!
XX, NLG
