Thursday, December 17
Giant Gingerbread Lighthouse, Newport Visitor’s Information Center, America’s Cup Ave., Saturdays Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., through Jan. 1, free.
Christmas on the Point, 7 p.m., Church of St. John the Evangelist, 61 Washington St. at Willow St., a merry concert of organ music, caroling, and traditional reading of the Christmas story, suggested donation $15, seniors/students $10, children ages 5-12 free, 401-848- 2561, saintjohns-newport.org.
Friday, December 18
Holiday Lantern Tour, 4:30 p.m., departs from the Brick Market Museum & Shop, 127 Thames St., hear the history of early American holiday traditions, learn how Colonial Newporters recognized (or didn’t) the holidays, reservations required, $15 adults, $10 Newport Historical Society members and active duty military with ID, $5 children ages 5-12, weather permitting, 401-841-8770.
Annual DeBlois Gallery Holiday Party, 5-7 p.m., 134 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 401-847-9977, debloisgallery.com.
Holiday Dance Party at the Edward King House, 7 p.m., 35 King St., no partner or dance experience necessary, $25 in advance, 401- 846-7426, edwardkinghouse.org.
Saturday, December 19
UnDecked Halls: Behind the Scenes at Doris Duke’s Mansion in Winter, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Ave., experience the quiet house, see the decorated staff wing, and hear about Miss Duke’s tropical holiday, learn how Rough Point’s winter caretaking traditions have remained the same for the past half century, tour the first floor and enjoy refreshments in the staff dining room, not normally open to
the public, tours offered every half hour, $10 adults, $8 children under 12, 401-846-4152 x122, newportrestoration.org.
Discover Colonial Newport Walking Tour, 11 a.m., departs from the Brick Market Museum & Shop, 127 Thames St., hear stories of religious diversity and entrepreneurship and learn how locals lived in winter during Newport’s Colonial era, $15 adults, $10 for Newport Historical Society members and active duty military with ID, $5 children 5-12, reservations required, weather permitting, 401- 841-8770.
Santa Claus arrives at Clock Tower Square, noon-2 p.m., Rt. 114 in Portsmouth, cookie decorating, free.
Hoppy Holidays at Newport Storm Brewery, 12-6 p.m., 293 JT Connell Road, annual Christmas open house celebration with guided tours, entertainment and snacks, $10, rmello@newportstorm.com.
Community Tree Decorating and Santa Visit at Seamen’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, 1 p.m. for tree decorating, bring an ornament and help decorate the tree, 2 p.m. Santa arrives and will read a classic Christmas tale, free, 401-847-4260.
Holiday Lantern Tour, 4:30 p.m., see Dec. 18.
Christmas in Sign, presented by the James L. Maher Center, 5 p.m., Casino Theater, 9 Freebody St. , Christmas and holiday music performed in sign language under black lights, free, 401-846-4600, mahercenter.org.
Messiah and Carol Sing: The Christmas Story, by Swanhurst Chorus, 7 p.m., Emmanuel Church, Spring and Dearborn streets, Handel’s “Messiah” and carols, bring your own score and scores available for rent. A festive
“Wassail Bowl” reception will follow, $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, $25 maximum per family, 401-682-1630, swanhurst.org.
Sunday, December 20
Visit with Santa Claus at The Elms, noon-3 p.m., 367 Bellevue Ave., the jolly old elf will visit with children and hear their Christmas wish lists, refreshments, regular daytime admission, 401-847-1000, newportmansions.org.
American Girl Doll Holiday Party, presented by the Newport Recreation Dept. and Edward King House, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Edward King House Senior Center, crafts, cookie decorating, doll fashion stroll, $15 per child, adults are free, all children must be accompanied by an adult, advance reservations required, reservations limited, 401-845-5800.
Rhode Island’s Ballet Theatre Holiday Dance Concert, 3 p.m., Stanford White Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody Street, a holiday dance show for children and families, $25 per person, 401-847-5301, ribtnm@cox.net.
Christmas Pageant with Live Nativity, 4-7 p.m., St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, see the Holy Family, sing with the angels and heavenly hosts, greet the wise men and pet the sheep, refreshments, 401-846-9567, stpetersri@coxmail.com.
Monday, December 21- Wednesday, December 23
Giant Gingerbread Lighthouse, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Newport Visitor’s Information Center, America’s Cup Ave., free.
Thursday, December 24
Christmas Eve Services at Island Churches
Friday, December 25
A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO ALL
WADK Radio Christmas Concert, 9 a.m., on WADK AM1540.
Saturday, December 26
45th Annual Christmas in Newport Candlelight Tour of Historic Private Homes, 4-7 p.m., maps available at the Newport Visitor Information Center in mid-December, $3 per house, payable at the door of each house, different houses open each day Dec. 26 -28, 401-741-5920, no advance reservations are necessary, christmasinnewport.org.
Discover Colonial Newport in Winter Walking Tour, 11 a.m., sponsored by the Newport Historical Society, see Dec. 19 for details.
Holiday Lantern Tour, 4:30 p.m., departing from the Brick Market Museum & Shop, 127 Thames St., see Dec. 18 for details.
Sunday, December 27
Candlelight Tour of Historic Private Homes, 4-7 p.m., see Dec. 26.
Christmas Lessons & Carols, 9 a.m., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, hear the stories of the season,
sing your favorite carols at this combined service, followed by an open house at the rectory, 401- 846-9700, smcportsmouth.org.
Road to Independence History Walking Tour, 11 a.m., departs from the Museum at the Brick Market at 127 Thames St., the Newport Historical Society, riots and rebellions, enemies and allies, learn about Newport’s role in the American Revolution, $15 adults, $10 NHS members and active duty military with ID, $5 children ages 5-12, reservations required, 401-841-8770. Tickets can be purchased at tour departure point, weather permitting.
Christmas on Historic Hill: A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Trinity Church, One Queen Anne Sq., 4 p.m., a candlelight service featuring the choir and clergy of Trinity Church, freewill offering, 401-846-0660, trinitynewport.org.
Monday, December 28
Candlelight Tour of Historic Private Homes, 4-7 p.m., see Dec. 26.
Rogues & Scoundrels History Walking Tour, 11 a.m., departs from the Museum at the Brick Market at 127 Thames St., see where scoundrels lived, pirates profited
and criminals were punished, find out why this colony was known as “Rogue’s Island,” reservations required, 401-841-8770, $15 per person, $10 for NHS members and active duty military with ID, $5 children ages 5-12, tickets can be purchased at the tour departure point, weather permitting.
Tuesday, December 29
UnDecked Halls: Behind the Scenes at Doris Duke’s Mansion in Winter, Rough Point, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., see Dec. 19.
Wednesday, December 30
Lessons and Carols at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 7 p.m., Spring St. Readings and carols for the Christmas season, as well as festive choral music from Gregorian chant to modern compositions, sung by St. Mary’s Parish Choirs with guest singers, free.
Thursday, December 31
New England’s Largest Gingerbread Lighthouse, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Newport Visitor Information Center, America’s Cup Ave.
Friday, January 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR
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