1. See A Christmas Carol...
Rhode Island’s most beloved holiday tradition is seeing Ebenezer Scrooge’s heart grow three sizes, live on stage. While Trinity Repertory Company in Providence (TrinityRep.com) is staging its 40th annual production through December 31, it’s not the only theatre company in the state to host the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet To Come. Granite Theatre in Westerly (GraniteTheatre.com) stages its annual production of A Christmas Carol, A Musical, an original musical adaptation by company Music Director Stephen DeCesare from November 25-December 23. Artists’ Exchange in Cranston (Artists-Exchange.org) has its 13th annual production of the show from December 8-17. The Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket (StadiumTheatre.com) uses the theatre’s historic 1926 Wurlitzer organ in their production, on stage from December 2-11.
2. ... Or Expand Your Theatre Horizons
Believe it or not, A Christmas Carol isn’t the only holiday play gracing Ocean State stages this month. Wakefield’s Contemporary Theater Company (ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com) offers the comedic variety show An Evening with Donner and Blitzen from December 2-24. In Warwick, Ocean State Theatre Company (OceanStateTheatre.org) stages It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical, a family friendly adaptation of the classic film, from December 1-27. Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket (StadiumTheatre.com) has two productions in November and December. Elf the Musical Jr., based on the Will Ferrell movie, goes up November 18 and 19. On November 26, Stadium Theatre Christmas brings a big, Broadway-style musical revue with dance numbers, big band music and a living nativity finale.
15. Rock Around the Christmas Tree
If your holiday merriment won’t be complete without a larger than life rock performance of your favorite Christmas carols, check out The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Trans-Siberian.com), performing two shows on November 20 at The Dunk in Providence. The wild concert has been compared to the arena shows of the ‘80s hair band greats, in the best possible way.
16. Be Merry and Bright
Let’s face it: December is the last time you’re going to enjoy being outside until the tulips are blooming again. Enjoy the moments at Sparkle! An Outdoor Family Event on Friday evenings November 25-December 23 at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol (Blithewold.org), when the whole property lights up with holiday cheer. Trees on the extensive grounds are decorated with lights, there’s a bonfire to roast marshmallows and there’s a lot of cocoa, family fun and merrymaking.
17. Make Black Friday Great Again
Don’t spend all of your holiday cash on the internet the day after Thanksgiving – save your budget and support the local economy while shopping at Small Business Saturday. A block party to Celebrate Downcity (InDowncity.com) is happening on Westminster Street in Providence on November 26. In addition to the fabulous small shops on the street, there will also be an outdoor pop up by the Providence Flea, libations by Trinity Brewhouse, photos with Santa, food trucks and performances on the Grant’s Block stage. Similar celebrations are happening on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday all over Rhode Island, in communities like Bristol, Block Island and East Greenwich
18. Raise Your Voice
There’s no more instant way to channel holiday spirit than to make a joyful noise, like at the Chorus of Westerly (ChorusOfWesterly.org) Messiah Sing on December 3 or their Christmas Pops on December 18. The Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra (RICCO.org) presents A Jubilant Bach Christmas on December 3 in Providence and December 4 in Newport. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Providence Singers (ProvidenceSingers.org) perform Handel’s Messiah on December 10 at The Vets in Providence. The good news is that if you’re a little pitchy, no one is going to notice.
19. Take in the (Very) Decked Halls
If you haven’t seen the grandeur that is Christmas at the Newport Mansions (NewportMansions.org) then you haven’t really seen the mansions. They may be summer cottages, but The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms go all out for the holidays. Think a 15-foot tall poinsettia tree at The Breakers and a Gilded Age streetscape in the ballroom at The Elms, complete with sleighs and a topiary horse, in addition to 28 Christmas trees that reflect the decor in the mansions and festive events all month long.
20. Add Some Sparkle To Your Weekend
There’s no reason your holiday shopping has to include long lines in crowded malls. Neighborhoods all over the state have made the search for the perfect gift a much more pleasant experience. In Bristol, the festivities kick off on Holiday Preview Weekend, November 18-19, with luminaria lining the streets, stores staying open late and lots of festive fun. That weekend kicks off Bristol’s Snowflake Raffle, where you get a ticket for a cash prize for every $25 you spend at a participating merchant (and double tickets on Preview weekend). Through December, there are festive events happening every weekend, including shuttle buses between Bristol, Warren and Barrington on Black Friday. Hope Street in Providence (HopeStreetProv.com) is expanding their beloved Holiday Stroll – this year, it’s happening on December 4, but there are fun things happening every weekend between Black Friday and Christmas, like trunk shows, cooking demos and pop up shops.
21. Walk In A Winter Wonderland
Pawtucket’s Winter Wonderland (WinterWonderlandPawtucket.com) is a sight to see – Slater Park comes to life with over 500 trees decorated with twinkling lights, as well as Victorian homes done up for the holidays, visits with Santa and family-friendly entertainment. In Tiverton, there’s a different kind of wonderland: the Re-Tree Exhibit in Tiverton Four Corners (TivertonFourCorners.com). People craft trees out of recycled materials and install them on the grounds of the Four Corners Meeting House for a must-see art exhibit.
22. Have An Italian Christmas Eve
Any other day, an Italian meal would be a carb fest – but not on Christmas Eve. The traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes is a religious meal, but anyone can enjoy it as part of your holiday celebration. The Weekapaug Inn (WeekapaugInn.com) in Westerly and Pane e Vino (PaneEVino.com) in Providence both serve delicious versions of the feast.
23. Say Auld Lang Syne
If there’s one night of the year you should do it up right, it’s New Year’s Eve. Send off 2016 in style at the New Year’s Eve Gala (OceanHouseEvents.com), a black tie party at the chic Ocean House in Westerly. The party includes tastings of cuisine from all around the country. If you’re really going to go all out, rent one of their oceanfront rooms for the night. The Providence G (ProvidenceG.com) is hosting three very different celebrations: an Old Downcity Glamour ball in the ballroom, a Southern barbecue buffet at the G Pub and a dance party under the stars at the Rooftop at the Providence G.
24. Plunge Your Way Into 2017
Whether you need to sober up from your New Year’s revels or you’re looking to give 2017 a fresh start, spend January 1 at a polar plunge. The Pier Plunge (NarragansettLionsClub.com) happens at Narragansett Town Beach. Block Island’s Polar Plunge (BlockIslandInfo.com) takes place on Fred Benson Town Beach. The Penguin Plunge (SpecialOlympicsRI.org) is on Wheeler Beach in Narragansett. Tiverton Yacht Club Penguin Plunge (TivertonLibrary.org) happens on Grinnell’s Beach. Lots more happen on beaches around the state, from Portsmouth to Misquamicut.
25. Celebrate The New Year
If you opt for a quiet New Year’s Eve, spend New Year’s Day at the Salute To Vienna New Year’s Concert at The Vets (VMARI.org) in Providence. This classical concert by the Strauss Symphony of America features the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and dancers from the Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine and international ballroom dancer champions. Think Strauss Waltzes, songs from operettas and a new year started on a mellow, cultured note.
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