Providence, RI transforms into a magical wonderland during the holiday season, offering a delightful mix of festive events for both locals and visitors. Experience the enchanting Christmas WaterFire where blazing braziers illuminate the rivers, or immerse yourself in the Providence Winter Festival, featuring ice sculptures, curling, and a vibrant arts scene.
Don't miss the Holiday Lights Spectacular, a dazzling display that transforms a local park into a twinkling wonderland. Whether you're looking for cultural performances, whimsical light displays, or opportunities to create lasting memories, Providence’s holiday events promise to captivate all ages.
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Providence Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Providence
- Christmas WaterFire
- Providence Winter Festival
- Holiday Lights Spectacular
- Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol
- Holiday Arts Market
- Holiday Pops at The VETS
- Festival Ballet Providence’s The Nutcracker
- Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
- Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
- Holiday Craft Bash
Providence Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights Spectacular
What to Expect:
Immersive drive-through light experience
Description:
Illuminating the night sky, this dazzling display transforms a local park into a twinkling wonderland. Visitors wind through a two-mile route, encountering animated light sculptures and themed vignettes. The event pays homage to Rhode Island's nautical history with ocean-themed light displays. As you cruise through, tune your radio to a dedicated station for synchronized holiday tunes. Keep an eye out for the towering "Tree of Light," standing over 50 feet tall and adorned with thousands of LED bulbs.
Website:
Providence Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Arts Market
What to Expect:
Showcases work of local artisans and makers
Description:
Providence's creative spirit shines at this curated market featuring the region's finest artisans. The event takes place in a repurposed industrial space, highlighting the city's manufacturing heritage. Visitors can browse handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and more while chatting with the creators. The air is filled with the aroma of locally roasted coffee and artisanal treats. Take a workshop to learn a traditional craft technique from a skilled maker, connecting you to Rhode Island's rich artistic legacy.
Website:
Holiday Craft Bash
What to Expect:
Combines crafting workshops with a party atmosphere
Description:
Providence's creative community comes together for this lively crafting extravaganza. The event transforms a local brewery into a bustling workshop, where attendees can try their hand at various holiday-themed crafts. Local artisans lead sessions on everything from letterpress card-making to wreath design. The bash pays homage to Rhode Island's textile manufacturing history with fabric-based projects. Grab a locally brewed beer and mingle with fellow crafters as you create unique gifts and decorations.
Website:
Providence Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Unique adaptation of the classic tale each year
Description:
Trinity Repertory Company breathes new life into Dickens' timeless tale with a fresh interpretation annually. The theater, housed in a former vaudeville house, provides an atmospheric backdrop for this holiday tradition. Audiences are transported to Victorian London through innovative set designs and period costumes. This production often incorporates local references and contemporary themes, making each year's show a unique experience. You might find yourself unexpectedly participating in the story as actors interact with the audience.
Website:
Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol
Holiday Pops at The VETS
What to Expect:
Combines classical and popular holiday music
Description:
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audiences with a blend of beloved carols and contemporary holiday hits. The Vets, a grand Art Deco theater, provides an elegant setting for this musical celebration. Guests are treated to the rich, resonant tones of a full orchestra accompanied by guest vocalists. The program often includes a piece highlighting Rhode Island's musical heritage. You'll have the chance to join in a rousing sing-along, becoming part of the performance itself.
Website:
Festival Ballet Providence’s The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Incorporates local history and landmarks into the production
Description:
Festival Ballet Providence presents a unique rendition of the classic ballet, infusing it with local flavor. The production seamlessly weaves Rhode Island landmarks and historical figures into the familiar story. Dancers glide across the stage in elaborate costumes, bringing to life the tale of Clara and her magical journey. The choreography pays homage to the state's diverse cultural influences. Arrive early to watch the "Nutcracker Sweet Shop" transform the lobby into a Victorian-era confectionery, complete with costumed characters.
Website:
Festival Ballet Providence’s The Nutcracker
Providence Other Holiday Activities
Christmas WaterFire
What to Expect:
Combines fire sculptures on water with holiday elements
Description:
Providence's iconic WaterFire takes on a festive twist for the holidays. Blazing braziers illuminate the rivers, casting a warm glow on the city's historic architecture. Visitors can stroll along the riverbanks, enjoying the interplay of fire and water while seasonal music fills the air. This event draws inspiration from the city's maritime heritage, blending it with contemporary art. You'll have the opportunity to create your own floating luminary to add to the spectacle.
Website:
Providence Winter Festival
What to Expect:
City-wide winter celebration with diverse activities
Description:
Providence transforms into a winter playground during this expansive festival. The city buzzes with activity as ice sculptures emerge in public spaces and pop-up winter villages appear in neighborhoods. Visitors can try their hand at curling, a nod to Rhode Island's colonial ties to Scotland. The festival showcases Providence's vibrant arts scene with outdoor installations and performances. Bundle up and explore the city's hidden gems as you participate in a winter-themed scavenger hunt.
Website:
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
What to Expect:
Combines architectural creativity with edible art
Description:
Providence's culinary and architectural talents converge in this sweet competition. Participants construct intricate gingerbread replicas of famous Rhode Island buildings, showcasing the state's diverse architectural styles. The air is perfumed with the warm scent of ginger and cinnamon. Visitors can vote for their favorite creations and even try their hand at decorating a mini gingerbread house. This event draws inspiration from Providence's reputation as the "Creative Capital," encouraging innovative designs and techniques.
Website:
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
What to Expect:
Offers a historical tour of Providence by horse-drawn carriage
Description:
Clip-clop through Providence's historic streets in a horse-drawn carriage, experiencing the city as travelers did centuries ago. The carriages follow routes that highlight architectural gems and significant landmarks. Knowledgeable drivers share tales of Providence's past, from its founding by Roger Williams to its industrial heyday. Passengers are wrapped in cozy blankets as they take in the sights and sounds of the city. You'll gain a new perspective on familiar streets as you travel at a leisurely pace, noticing details often missed by modern transportation.
Website:
Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Nearby Events
Christmas at the Newport Mansions (Newport)
What to Expect:
Showcases Gilded Age holiday traditions
Description:
Step back in time as Newport's opulent mansions don their holiday finery. Each room sparkles with period-appropriate decorations, offering a glimpse into Gilded Age celebrations. Visitors can marvel at towering Christmas trees adorned with authentic Victorian ornaments. The event highlights the contrast between "upstairs" and "downstairs" holiday traditions of the era. Explore the kitchens to learn about 19th-century holiday meal preparation and sample a traditional treat. The mansions' extravagant decor reflects Newport's status as a playground for America's industrial elite.
Website:
Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Smith's Castle Colonial Christmas (North Kingstown)
What to Expect:
Recreates 17th-century holiday traditions
Description:
Smith's Castle, one of Rhode Island's oldest houses, transports visitors to a Colonial-era Christmas. The historic home is adorned with period-appropriate greenery and decorations. Costumed interpreters demonstrate 17th-century holiday customs and crafts. Visitors can participate in traditional games and dances of the era. The event highlights the blending of English, Dutch, and Native American influences on early Rhode Island holiday celebrations. Sample dishes prepared using colonial recipes and cooking methods, offering a taste of history.
Website:
Smith's Castle Colonial Christmas
The Great Room's Winter Wonderland (Woonsocket)
What to Expect:
Transforms a historic ballroom into an immersive winter scene
Description:
The Great Room, a grand Gilded Age ballroom, becomes a snow-covered landscape for this unique installation. Visitors wander through a forest of flocked trees, encountering whimsical winter vignettes. The event draws inspiration from Rhode Island's literary heritage, bringing to life scenes from winter-themed stories. Intricate ice sculptures glisten throughout the space, showcasing the skill of local artists. You can contribute to a community art project, adding your personal touch to this collaborative winter scene.
Website:
The Great Room's Winter Wonderland
Christmas in the Valley (Pawtucket)
What to Expect:
Celebrates the holiday traditions of Rhode Island's mill villages
Description:
This event brings to life the holiday customs of Rhode Island's historic mill villages. The Blackstone Valley, birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, serves as the backdrop for this cultural celebration. Visitors can explore restored mill workers' homes decorated for the holidays in different ethnic traditions. The air is filled with the sounds of traditional music from the diverse communities that once populated the valley. Try your hand at crafting a simple toy using 19th-century techniques, connecting you to the region's industrial past.
Website:
Christmas at Blithewold (Bristol)
What to Expect:
Combines nature-inspired decorations with a historic mansion setting
Description:
Blithewold Mansion transforms into a botanical holiday haven, showcasing nature-inspired decorations throughout its 45 rooms. Each space is adorned with fresh greens, flowers, and natural elements from the estate's grounds. Visitors can explore the mansion's eclectic architecture, which blends multiple styles popular at the turn of the 20th century. The event highlights the Van Wickle family's holiday traditions and their passion for horticulture. Stroll through the illuminated gardens and greenhouse, discovering winter-blooming plants and festive outdoor displays.
Website:
Narragansett Holiday Stroll (Narragansett)
What to Expect:
Combines seaside charm with holiday festivities
Description:
Narragansett's picturesque coastal village comes alive with holiday spirit during this annual stroll. The event showcases the town's Victorian architecture, adorned with twinkling lights and garlands. Visitors can warm up with a cup of traditional New England wassail while browsing local shops. The stroll incorporates elements of Narragansett's Native American heritage and fishing industry history. You'll have the chance to witness the lighting of a towering lobster trap tree, a unique coastal twist on holiday traditions.