Rhody Weekend Must-Do's: December 7-10

Rhode Island lights up with holiday displays and festive cheer. Cookies, carolers, and crafts are all on the itinerary for this weekend, plus a Hanukkah celebration, Swedish procession, and opportunities to help shelter pets. Hot chocolate will be flowing freely as Santa and his helpers make appearances across the Ocean State.

In case of weather delays or last-minute cancellations, always call the venue or check online for updates before you go.

ALL WEEKEND

The Bristol Christmas Festival is a two-day extravaganza reminiscent of European Christmas markets, with vendors in rustic huts selling treats and gifts, plus Santa strolling the streets, carolers at Linden Place on Saturday, and much more. Saturday-Sunday, Bristol 

Scituate is decking the halls and pulling out all the stops for their three-day Christmas in the Village celebration. Meet Santa and friends, shop bazaars, see twinkling lights, and for the grand finale, catch the RI Wind Esemble’s Holiday Pops concert. Friday-Sunday, Scituate

FRIDAY, December 8 and SUNDAY, December 10

Check off your Holiday shopping list and support local business at The Providence Flea's Holiday Markets. Enjoy hot coffee, food, snacks, craft cocktails and beer while you browse 80+ different vendors at each market that are carefully selected, small- and micro-businesses, whose wares are hand-picked, homemade, handcrafted and small batch.   

SATURDAY, December 9

Experience Scandinavian traditions during the Lucia Festival at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, featuring the Lucia procession, choral songs, and a children’s skit, followed by Swedish treats, dancing, a visit from jultomte (Swedish Santa), and shopping. 4pm, East Greenwich

The Strolling Rolling Apponaug Winter Festival includes a parade, vendors, food trucks, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a scavenger hunt. Plus, stop by the Warwick Center for the Arts for Family Crafting: Holidays Around the World. 9am-3pm, Warwick 

Cookies aren’t just for Santa on his way around the world – at Long Live Beerworks’ CookieFest, brew-goers can try fresh, locally made cookies from a variety of vendors while sipping a fresh pour. 1-5pm, Providence 

Arts and crafts, free samples of snacks and refreshments, music, storytelling, and a holiday artisan market from local vendors are all part of Southside Community Land Trust’s Second Annual Holiday Bazaar. 10am-3pm, Providence  

The Middletown Knights of Columbus is hosting Santa’s Aquidneck Island Holiday Party and Elves Workshop. Take pictures with Santa, shop local vendors, sing carols, make delicious gingerbread houses and other family-fun crafts, and more! 10am-2pm, Middletown 

Join the Animal Rescue Rhode Island for their Holiday Marketplace and Adoption, a shopping spree perfect for pet-owners and animal-lovers, or for those interested in fostering or adopting a furry friend this holiday season. 10am-2pm, Wakefield  

SUNDAY, December 10

See the candles lit and sing along to musical performances at the Hanukkah Spectaculah celebration, featuring arts and crafts, PVDonuts, latkes and hot dogs from Bubbie’s, and open skating at the rink. 3:30-5:30pm, Providence

The night will be all aglow with thousands of LED lights on floats and displays during the Westerly Light Parade. Arrive early for dinner or cocktails to get a front row seat as local businesses and organizations strut their stuff with shining holiday cheer. 6-7pm, Westerly