101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Providence - 2024
KidsOutAndAbout is Providence's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and please keep in mind that events could be canceled... so click through to make arrangements. Enjoy the holidays!
If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!
If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter for the Providence, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you! In the meantime, enjoy the ideas below for holiday family fun in 2024!
Santa Sightings
| Nov 3 - Dec 24, 2024 | Santa’s Wonderland 2024 at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's |
| Nov 8- Dec 29, 2024 | Santa Express - The VIP Train Experience - Edaville Family Theme Park |
| Nov 14 - Dec 24, 2024 | Santa Pictures - Providence Place |
| Nov 24, 30, Dec 1, 21, & 22, 2024 | Santa's 4th Annual Visit to the Farm - At Liberty Farm |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Sip, Shop, & See Santa - At Wojcik's Farm |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Santa Lights Up Putnam - With Town of Putnam, CT |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Santa's Arrival 2024 - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Santa at the Eustis Estate |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Santa Arrives By Tugboat - Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Dinner with Santa - Ocean House |
| Dec 1, 8, 15, 21, & 22, 2024 | Brunch with Santa - Buffet - Ocean House |
| Dec 2, 2024 | Sing-Along with Santa - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Santa Visits WEAVER Library |
| Dec 5, 12, & 19, 2024 | Visit with Santa at Holiday Lights Spectacular - Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village |
| Dec 5, 12, & 19, 2024 | Photo Op with Santa & Mrs. Claus - At The Town Trader - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet |
| Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21, 2024 | Santa Checks In - Ocean House |
| Dec 7, 2024 | SANTA AT STILLWATER- With Burrillville Parks and Recreation - Rhode Island |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Coastal Queen Brings Santa & Mrs. Clause to Town - With Coastal Queen Cruises |
| Dec 7, 8, 14, & 15, 2024 | Pawtucket Winter Wonderland - Slater Memorial Park |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Breakfast with Santa & Friends - At The Olde Theater Diner - With Judi T Dance Studio DBA Party Line |
| Dec 10, 11, & 12, 2024 | Visits With Santa at the Neighborhood Guild - Town of South Kingstown |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Santa in Salem - At Phillips House Museum |
| Dec 14, 2024 | A Visit with Santa at the Library - Pawtucket Public Library |
| Dec 14, & 15, 2024 | Santa is Coming to the Village! - At Nature's Art Village |
| Dec 14, & 15, 2024 | Santa's Village 2024 - With Tiverton Recreation |
| Dec 14, & 15, 2024 | Meet Santa in the Meeting House - Olde Mistick Village - Mystic, CT |
| Dec 15, 2024 | Breakfast with Santa - At Battleship Cove |
Old-Time Christmas
| Nov 22- Dec 28, 2024 (select days) | Holiday Lantern Tours - Newport Historical Society |
| Nov 22, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025 | Holidays at the Newport Mansions |
| Nov 24 - Dec 29, 2024 (select days) | Holidays at The Haan - Haan Museum of Indiana Art |
| Nov 29 - Dec 30, 2024 (select days) | Christmas By Candelight - Old Sturbridge Village |
| Nov 29 - Dec 30, 2024 | 16th Annual Festival of Trees - Massachusetts Horticultural Society |
| Nov 29, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 | All Aboard for the Holidays - At Roger Williams Park Botanical Center |
| Nov 30, 2024 | 2024 Victorian Holiday - With Downtown Pascoag & Neighborhood Association & Burrillville Parks and Recreation - Rhode Island |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Home for the Holidays - At Sarah Orne Jewett House |
| Dec 5, 12, & 19, 2024 | Visit with Santa at Holiday Lights Spectacular - Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village |
| Dec 5, & 19, 2024 | Christmas Cheers - At Eustis Estate Museum |
| Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28, 2024 | Holiday Lantern Tours - Newport Historical Society |
| Dec 7, 2024 | 2024 Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration - With East Providence, RI |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Holiday Carnival - Olde Mistick Village |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Christmas Holiday Stroll in Pawtuxet - With Friends of Pawtuxet Village |
| Dec 7 & 8 , 2024 | 2024 Christmas at The Castle - Smith's Castle |
| Dec 7 & 8, 2024 | Bristol Christmas Festival - Bristol, RI |
| Dec 7, 8, 14, & 15, 2024 | Old-Fashioned Christmas - Self Guided Tours - Hearthside House - Lincoln, RI |
| Dec 7, 8, 14, & 15, 2024 | Step into the Holidays - At Clouds Hill Museum |
| Dec 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22, 2024 | Music in the Living Room - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum |
| Dec 8, 15, 16, & 17, 2024 | Holiday Tea - At Eustis Estate Museum |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Christmas at Linden Place Mansion - At Linden Place |
| Dec 13, 14, & 15, 2024 | Christmas in the Village Festival of Trees 2024 - North Scituate Village |
| Dec 28 & 29 2024 | Home for the Holidays - Hearthside House |
Light Displays
| Nov 8, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024 | Christmas Festival of Lights - Edaville Family Theme Park |
| Nov 15 - Dec 31, 2024 | 2024 Holiday light show- At Confreda Greenhouses & Farms |
| Nov 15, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 | ZooLights - At Stone Zoo |
| Nov 22 - Dec 29, 2024 | Sparkling Lights at The Breakers - The Newport Mansions |
| Nov 23, 2024 | 4th annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Lighting - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI |
| Nov 28 - Dec 29, 2024 | Wawaloam's Festival of Lights |
| Nov 29, 2024 | 2024 Newport Illuminated Boat Parade - With City of Newport RI |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Santa Lights Up Putnam - With Town of Putnam, CT |
| Nov 29 - Dec 31, 2024 | Home for the Holidays - At Mystic Aquarium |
| Nov 29, 2024 - Jan 31, 2025 | Holiday Lights Spectacular - At Olde Mistick Village |
| Nov 29, 2024 -Jan 4, 2025 | Holiday Lights Spectacular - At Roger Williams Park Zoo |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - Ocean House |
| Dec 1, 2024 | Holiday Dazzle Light Parade - With Town of Putnam, CT |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - At the Pavilion at Kent Field - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet |
| Dec 5, 6, & 7, 2024 | Providence’s Three Nights of Lights |
| Dec 5, 2024 - Jan 4, 2025 (Select Dates) | Sparkle! - Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Festival of Lights - Olde Mistick Village |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Middleborough's Annual Tree Lighting Extravaganza! |
| Dec 6,7,13,14,20,21, & 22, 2024 | Lantern Light Village - At Mystic Seaport Museum |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Bristol’s Grand Illumination and Parade - With Town of Bristol |
| Dec 7, 2024 | 54th Annual Tree Lighting - With Bowen's Wharf |
| Dec 7, 2024 | WaterFire's Holiday Celebration - At Waterplace Park - WaterFire Arts Center |
| Dec 15, 2024 | Westerly Light Parade - Downtown Westerly, RI |
Holiday Theatre
| Multiple Dates Nov 23 - Dec 29, 2024 | Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol - At Providence Performing Arts Center |
| Nov 27 & 29, & Dec 1,3,4,5,6 2024 | Newport Nutcracker - Rosecliff Mansion |
| Multiple Dates Nov 29 - Dec 15, 2024 | A 1940's Radio Christmas Carol - At Granite Theatre |
| Nov 30 & Dec 1, 2024 | The Nutcracker Ballet - Stadium Theatre |
| Multiple Dates Dec 5, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024 | Miracle on 34th Street - With The Arctic Playhouse - West Warwick, RI |
| Multiple Dates starting Dec 5, 2024 | A Christmas Carol! - At The Contemporary Theater Company |
| Dec 7 & 8, 2024 | It's A Wonderful Life Radio Hour - at Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Live Reading of A Christmas Carol - At Old Colony History Museum |
| Dec 13, 14, 15, & 21, 2024 | A Christmas Carol - With RISE - At- The Assembly Theatre |
| Multiple Dates Dec 13 - 22, 2024 | A Christmas Carol - Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 15, 2024 | RIPO Presents Handel's Messiah - With Providence Singers - At Veterans Memorial Auditorium - Providence, RI |
| Dec 19 - 29, 2024 | The Nutcracker at the VETS - Veterans Memorial Auditorium |
| Dec 20 & 21, 2024 | Twas the Night Before Christmas - Providence Ballet Theatre |
Concerts
| Nov 29, 2024 | Ornament Presents an Evening of Music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 1, 2024 | Michael DiMucci's Christmas Concert - At Linden Place |
| Dec 7,8,15,15,21, & 22, 2024 | Music in the Living Room Series - At Blithewold |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Carpenters Tribute Christmas Show - Top of The World - At Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 6, 2024 | MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis - Providence Performing Arts Center |
| Dec 15, 2024 | RIPO Presents Handel's Messiah - With Providence Singers - At Veterans Memorial Auditorium - Providence, RI |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Trinity Presents The Christmas Show - Veterans Memorial Auditorium |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Gilded Glow Holiday Concert - At Eustis Estate Museum |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Classical Christmas with Frisson - At Emmanuel Church - With Newport Classical |
| Dec 23, 2024 | Holiday Pops with the Stadium Theatre Orchestra - At Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 19, 2024 | Christmas Cocktail Cabaret - At The Towers - With The Contemporary Theater Company |
Christmas Tree Experience
| Tagging begins Nov 23, 2024 | Big John Leyden's ChristmasTree Farm |
| Opens Nov 23, 2024 | Riverside Christmas Tree Farm - Charlestown, RI |
| Opens Nov 23, 2024 | Pachet Brook Farm - Tiverton, RI |
| Opens Nov 29, 2024 | Arrowhead Acres - Uxbridge, MA |
| Opens Nov 29, 2024 | Lockwood Christmas Tree Farm |
Ice Skating
| Year-Round | Blackstone Valley IcePlex |
| Year-Round | Connery Skating Rink |
| Year-Round | Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink |
| Year-Round | Dennis M Lynch Arena |
| Year-Round | Gallo Arena |
| Year-Round | Norfolk Arena |
Hanukkah
| Dec 8, 2024 | Hanukkah Celebration - Temple Beth-El |
| Dec 2, 2024 | Holiday Event: Menorah Making (family workshop ages 2+) - With Harbor Creative Arts |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Chanukah Celebration Preschool Palooza - Barrington Public Library - RI |
| Dec 17, 2024 | Afterschool Chanukah Celebration with Rabbi Howard (grades 1-5) - Barrington Public Library - RI |
| Dec 19, 2024 | Second Annual Somerville Chanukah Party - Arts at the Armory |
| Dec 26, 2024 | City of Providence Hanukkah Spectaculah |
| Dec 26, 2024 | Chanukah at Pawtuxet Park |
| Dec 28, 2024 | Menorah Lighting at East Greenwich Town Hall Front Lawn |
| Dec 28, 2024 | Chanukah Celebration - With Tiverton Recreation |
| Dec 29, 2024 | Menorah Lighting in Warwick Mall |
| Dec 29, 2024 | Lighting of the Village Menorah - Friends of Pawtuxet Village |
| Dec 30, 2024 | Menorah Lighting Ceremony in the RI State House |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Menorah Lighting in Cranston City Hall |
Hands On Holidays
| Nov 17, 2024 | Family Day - Snowy Cheer - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence |
| Nov 24, 2024 | Family Day - Merry Gnome - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence |
| Dec 7, 2024 | 19th Annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest - Artists' Exchange |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Holiday Stockings (advanced registration required)- At Newport Public Library |
| Dec 10, 2024 | A is for Art: Thumbprint Snowman Ornament - At Newport Public Library |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Teen Gingerbread House Competition - At Newport Public Library |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Kids and Canvas - At Ocean House |
| Dec 19, 2024 | Cookie Decorating Class (Ages 8+) - Mount Hope Farm |
| Dec 23, 2024 | Drop-in Beaded Candy Canes - At Newport Public Library |
Shopping & Crafting
| Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, 29, & Dec 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, & 22, 2024 | Holiday Markets - The Providence Flea |
| Nov 8, 9, & 10, 2024 | Christmas Market - At Providence Place |
| Nov 10, 2024 | 2nd Annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza - Crowne Plaza Hotel - With We Be Jammin' Events |
| Nov 16, & 17, 2024 | Providence Artisans Holiday Premiere - At WaterFire Arts Center |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Pop-Up Holiday Market - At Casey Farm |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Field of Artisans Curated for Big John Leyden's Tree Farm - Big John Leyden's Tree Farm |
| Nov 23 & 24, 2024 | Rhode Island Christmas Festival 2024 West Warwick Civic Center - With Community Marketing |
| Nov 24, 2024 | Holiday Market Sip & Shop - Newport Vineyards - Middletown, RI |
| Nov 29, & 30, 2024 | Holiday Shop & Stroll - At West Place Animal Sanctuary |
| Nov 24, 2024 | Thanksgiving Cranberry-Craze Specialty Farmers Market - With Tiverton Farmers Market |
| Nov 24, 30, & Dec 1, 21, & 22, 2024 | Liberty Farm's 4th Annual Holiday Extravaganza - At Liberty Farm |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) - German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island |
| Dec 1 - 21, 2024 | Annual Winter Market - at Warwick Center for the Arts |
| Dec 4, 2024 | 27th Annual Holiday Stroll & Artisan Marketplace Downtown Westerly Pawcatuck - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI |
| Dec 5,6,7,8,13,14, & 15, 2024 | Foundry Artists Holiday Show & Sale - At Pawtucket Armory Arts Center |
| Dec 5,12, & 19, 2024 | Candlelight Shopping - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet |
| Dec 6, & 7, 2024 | 2024 Annual Trinity Christmas Bazaar - At Trinity Episcopal Church - North Scituate Village |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Holiday bazaar - At North Providence Union Free Public Library |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Audubon Holiday Craft Fair - At Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge - With Audubon Society of Rhode Island |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Christmas by the Sea 2024 - At The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina - With Community Marketing |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Narragansett Holiday Street Faire - Town of Narragansett, RI |
| Dec 7 & 14, 2024 | Holiday shopping in the barn! - The Farm - Chepachet, RI |
| Dec 8, 2024 | 2024 Holiday Bazaar - At Newman YMCA |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Christmas by the Sea - At Harbor Lights - With Community Marketing |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Winter Farmer Market - At North Scituate Baptist Church - North Scituate Village |
| Dec 13 & 14, 2024 | 2024 Holiday Arts Market - At Jamestown Art Center |
| Dec 13 & 14, 2024 | 10th Annual Whisky Wonderland Holiday Bazaar (21+) - At Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. - With Field of Artisans |
| Dec 14 & 15, 2024 | 12th Annual Providence Artisans Holiday Show - At WaterFire Arts Center |
| Dec 15, 2024 | Very Merry Marketplace - At Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport) - With We Be Jammin' Events |
| Dec 15, 2024 | A Very Merry Marketplace - Crowne Plaza Hotel - With We Be Jammin' Events |
| Dec 16, & 17, 2024 | 12th Annual Providence Artisans Holiday Show - At WaterFire Arts Center |
| Dec 22, 2024 | 5th Annual Christmas Specialty Market - With Tiverton Farmers Market |
New Year's Eve
| Dec 28, 2024 | Noon Year's Eve Celebration! - At Boston Public Library - Brighton Branch |
| Dec 30, 2024 | Teen Center New Year's Party - Pawtucket Public Library |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fireworks in Providence - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Illuminate PVD: New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks Display - At Providence Innovation District Park |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Noon Years' Eve Party! - At North Providence Union Free Public Library |
| Dec 31, 2024 | New Year's Eve Stargazing - At The Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Noon Year's Eve Ages 0-8 - At Boston Public Library - Central Library in Copley Square |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Kids countdown to New Years - At Mystic Seaport! |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Noon Year's Eve - At The Lakeville Public Library |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Weekapaug Inn New Year’s Eve Dinner in The Restaurant (21+) |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Noon Year’s Eve Party! - At Cross Mills Public Library |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Noon Year's Eve - With Fun Factory - MA |
Miscellaneous
| November 14, 21 & December 4, 11, 18 2024 | North Pole Limited - Edaville Family Theme Park |
| Multiple dates beginning Nov 24, 2023 - Jan 4, 2024 | Winter Afternoon Tea in the Dining Room and Breakfast Porch - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Cruise with Coastal Queen to the Newport Illuminated Boat Parade - With Coastal Queen Cruises |
| Nov 30, & Dec 8, 2024 | Holiday Bubbly Cruise from Newport - With Coastal Queen Cruises |
| Dec 1, 2024 | THE WOO JINGLE 5K - With Run Rhody |
| Dec 1 & 7, 2024 | Coastal Queen’s Candy Cane Express - With Coastal Queen Cruises |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Holly Days - At Norman Bird Sanctuary |
| Multiple dates beginning Dec 5, 2024 - Jan 4, 2025 | SPARKLE! - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Cinema Under the Stars - Home Alone - At Weekapaug Inn - Ocean House |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Holiday Carnival at Olde Mistick Village |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Holiday Extravaganza - Newport Vineyards - Middletown, RI |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Downtown Jingle 5K - With Run Rhody |
| Dec 10, & 11 2024 | Homeschool Program: Deck the Halls: A Celebration of Christmas - Eustis Estate Museum ( Ages 5-14) |
| Dec 11,12 & 17,19, 2024 | Divas of Drag - Deck the Halls (Ages18+) - at Stadium Theatre |
| Dec 16, 2024 | Jingle Kids Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) - At Seekonk Public Library |
| Dec 18, 2024 | Family Movie Night -Polar Express - Pawtucket Public Library |
| Dec 20, 2024 | Holiday Stargazing Spectacular - At The Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Family Day - Festive Forrest - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Family Gingerbread Cookie Decorating - At North Providence Union Free Public Library |
| Dec 22, 2024 | Community Carol Sing - At Mystic Seaport |
| Dec 28, 2024 | Cinema Under the Stars - Happy Feet - At Weekapaug Inn - Ocean House |
| Jan 3, 2025 | Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2025- At The Frosty Drew Observatory |
Below are items that have been posted to our calendar. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to post! Click here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!
Web Service