101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Providence - 2023

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 2022!

Santa Sightings

Nov 17, 2023 - Dec 24, 2023	Santa Pictures - Providence Place
Multiple Dates Nov 9th - Dec 29th, 2024	Santa Express - The VIP Train Experience - Edaville Family Theme Park
Select Dates Nov 20 - Dec 5 2023	Pet Nights with Santa - Providence Place
Nov 29, 2024	Santa's Arrival - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI
Nov 25 & 26, 2023	Visit Santa, Our friendly animals & Have a Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride - At Liberty Farm
Nov 27, 2023	Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa! - With West Warwick, RI
Nov 29, 2024	Santa Lights Up Putnam - With Town of Putnam, CT
Nov 30, Dec 7 & 14, 2023	Visit with Santa at Holiday Lights Spectacular - Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
Dec 1 - 24, 2023	Photo Op with Santa and his Reindeer - Chepachet Village Wine & Spirits
Select Thursdays in Dec, 2023	Visit with Santa at Holiday Lights Spectacular - Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
Dec 9,10,16,17,22, & 23, 2023	Santa Checks In - Ocean House
Dec 2, 2023	Santa's Aquidneck Island Holiday Party & Elves Workshop - With Knights of Columbus - Middletown/Newport Council #256
Dec 7, 2024	Bristol’s Grand Illumination and Tree lighting - Town of Bristol
Dec 2, 2023	Coastal Queen Brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to Town
Dec 2, 2023	SANTA AT STILLWATER- With Burrillville Parks and Recreation - Rhode Island


Dec 2,3,9,10, 2023	Pawtucket Winter Wonderland - Slater Memorial Park
Nov 26, Dec 3,10,16,17,23, & 24, 2023	Brunch with Santa - Buffet - Ocean House
Dec 3, 2023	Santa Cares Day - Providence Place
Dec 3, 2023	Breakfast with Santa - Judi T Dance Studio
Dec 6 & 7, 2024	Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland Craft Fair - Coventry, RI
Dec 7,14, & 21,2023	Photo Op with Santa & Mrs. Claus - At The Town Trader - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet
Dec 7, 2023	Santa Visit - At East Providence Public Library- Weaver Library
Dec 9, 2023	Santa at the Eustis Estate - Eustis Estate Museum

Dec 15, 2023	Santa is Coming to Town - With Old Colony YMCA - Brockton
Dec 16, 2023	Breakfast with Santa - At Battleship Cove
Dec 17, 2023	Meet and Greet Cruise with Santa - On the Coastal Queen
Dec 10 & 17, 2023	Santa is Coming to the Village! - At Nature's Art Village
Dec 16, 2023	Santa in Salem - At Phillips House Museum

Old-Time Christmas

Nov 18, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024	Holidays at the Newport Mansions
Nov 17, 2023 - Dec 30, 2023 (select dates)	Holiday Lantern Tours - Newport Historical Society

Nov 25, 2022 - Jan 1, 2023	A Rough Point Holiday - Newport Restoration Foundation
Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023 (select Days)	Christmas By Candelight - Old Sturbridge Village
Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023	15th Annual Festival of Trees - Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Select days Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023	Holidays at The Haan - Haan Museum of Indiana Art
Dec 2, 2023	2023 TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION - With East Providence, RI
Nov 25, 2023	2023 Victorian Holiday - With Downtown Pascoag & Neighborhood Association & Burrillville Parks and Recreation - Rhode Island
Nov 26 - Dec 16, 2023	Music in the Living Room - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum
Dec 7 & 8 , 2024	2024 Christmas at The Castle - Smith's Castle
Dec 7 & 14, 2023	Christmas Cheers - At Eustis Estate Museum
Dec 2, 2023	Holiday Carnival - Olde Mistick Village
Multiple dates Dec 2-16, 2023	Step into the Holidays - At Clouds Hill Museum
Dec 7, 2024	Christmas Holiday Stroll in Pawtuxet - With Friends of Pawtuxet Village
Dec 2,3, 9 & 10, 2023	Old Fashioned Christmas - Hearthside House

Dec 8, 9, & 10, 2023	Christmas in the Village Festival of Trees 2023 - North Scituate Village
Dec 7 & 8, 2024	Bristol Christmas Festival - Bristol, RI
Dec 28 & 30 2023	Home for the Holidays - Hearthside House

Light Displays

Nov 8, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024	Christmas Festival of Lights - Edaville Family Theme Park
Nov 18, 2022 - Jan 31, 2023	Holiday Lights Spectacular - At Olde Mistick Village
Nov 17, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024	ZooLights - At Stone Zoo
Nov 17 - Dec 30, 2023	Sparkling Lights at The Breakers - The Newport Mansions
Nov 17 - Dec 31, 2023	2023 Holiday light show- At Confreda Greenhouses & Farms
Nov 24, 2023 -Dec 31, 2023	Holiday Lights Spectacular - At Roger Williams Park Zoo
Nov 24- Dec 30, 2023	Wawaloam's Festival of Lights - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI

Nov 29, 2024	Santa Lights Up Putnam - With Town of Putnam, CT
Nov 24, 2023	2023 Newport Illuminated Boat Parade - With City of Newport RI
Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023	Home for the Holidays - At Mystic Aquarium
Nov 25, 2022 - Jan 1, 2023	Night Lights –An Illuminating Experience - Blithewold
Nov 23, 2024	4th annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Lighting - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI
Nov 25, 2023	Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - Ocean House
Dec 1, 2024	Holiday Dazzle Light Parade - With Town of Putnam, CT
Dec 1, 2, & 3, 2023	Providence’s Three Nights of Lights
Dec 2, 2023	WaterFire's Holiday Celebration - At Waterplace Park - WaterFire Arts Center
Dec 7, 2023	Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - At the Pavilion at Kent Field - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet
Dec 8,9,15,16,21,22,23, 2023	Lantern Light Village - At Mystic Seaport Museum
Dec 7, 2024	54th Annual Tree Lighting - With Bowen's Wharf
Dec 2, 2023	All-Lit-Up Christmas Parade - With Town of Smithfield, RI
Dec 2, 2023	Bristol’s Grand Illumination and Parade - With Town of Bristol
Dec 2,3,9,10, 2023	Pawtucket Winter Wonderland - Slater Memorial Park
Dec 2, 2023	Festival of Lights - Olde Mistick Village



Dec 15, 2024	Westerly Light Parade - Downtown Westerly, RI

Holiday Theatre

Nov 8 - Dec 31, 2023	Miracle on South Division Street - At The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant
Multiple Dates Nov 23, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024	Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol - At Providence Performing Arts Center
Nov 22 - Dec 1, 2023	Newport Nutcracker - Rosecliff Mansion
Nov 25, 2023	A Magical Cirque Christmas - Veterans Memorial Auditorium
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
Nov 28, 29, 30, & Dec 1,2,3, 2023	DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL at at Providence Performing Arts Center

Multiple Dates Dec 5, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024	Miracle on 34th Street - With The Arctic Playhouse - West Warwick, RI
Dec 1-23, 2023	Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge! - At The Contemporary Theater Company
Dec 2, 2023	Newport Live Presents: The Sweetback Sisters Country Christmas - At Jamestown Art Center
Dec 10, 2023	RIPO Presents Handel's Messiah - With Providence Singers - At Veterans Memorial Auditorium - Providence, RI

Multiple Dates Dec 13 - 22, 2024	A Christmas Carol - Stadium Theatre
Dec 7 & 8, 2024	It's A Wonderful Life Radio Hour - at Stadium Theatre
Dec 14-17, 2023	Elf the Musical - With RISE - At- The Assembly Theatre

Dec 15 & 16, 2023	Twas the Night Before Christmas - Providence Ballet Theatre
Dec 15 - 24, 2023	Festival Ballet Providence presents The Nutcracker at the VETS - Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Dec 1-17, 2023	Miracle on 34th Street - At Granite Theatre

Concerts

Nov 24, 2023	Ornament Presents an Evening of Music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Stadium Theatre

Nov 26, Dec 3 & 16, 2023	Music in the Living Room Series - At Blithewold
Dec 6, 2024	Carpenters Tribute Christmas Show - Top of The World - At Stadium Theatre
Dec 3, 2023	Messiah at the Mansion - At Rosecliff Mansion - With Newport Classical
Dec 8 & 9, 2023	Michael DiMucci's Fireside Christmas Concerts - At Linden Place
Dec 6, 2024	MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis - Providence Performing Arts Center
Dec 10, 2023	RIPO Presents Handel's Messiah - With Providence Singers - At Veterans Memorial Auditorium - Providence, RI
Dec 16, 2023	Classical Christmas at Emmanuel Church - With Newport Classical
Dec 14, 2023	Lindsey Stirling - SNOW WALTZ tour- At Providence Performing Arts Center

Dec 21, 2023	Christmas Cocktail Cabaret - At The Towers - With The Contemporary Theater Company

Dec 23, 2024	Holiday Pops with the Stadium Theatre Orchestra - At Stadium Theatre

Christmas Tree Experience

Open Nov 10, 2023	Big John Leyden's ChristmasTree Farm
Opens Nov 18, 2023	Riverside Christmas Tree Farm - Charlestown, RI
Opens Nov 19, 2023	Pachet Brook Farm - Tiverton, RI
Opens Nov 24, 2023	Arrowhead Acres - Uxbridge, MA
Dec 4 & 5 (1 weekend only)	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

Nov 30, 2023	An Israeli Hanukkah Adventure - Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island
Dec 3, 2023	Hanukkah Celebration - Temple Beth-El
Dec 6, 2023	Hanukkah Music with Chaia May - At East Providence Public Library- Weaver Library
Dec 10, 2023	City of Providence Hanukkah Spectaculah
Dec 26, 2024	Lighting of the Village Menorah - Friends of Pawtuxet Village

Shopping & Crafting

Nov 10-12, 2023	Field of Artisans Curated for Big John Leyden's Tree Farm - Big John Leyden's Tree Farm
Nov 11, 2023	11th Annual Providence Artisans Holiday Show - At WaterFire Arts Center
Nov 17 - 19, 2023	Christmas Market - At Providence Place
Nov 23 & 24, 2024	Rhode Island Christmas Festival 2024 West Warwick Civic Center - With Community Marketing
Nov 18, 2023	Holiday Market at the Eustis Estate - Eustis Estate Museum
Nov 18, 2023	Thanksgiving Shop & Stroll - Rocky Point State Park - With We Be Jammin' Events
Nov 18, 2023	Pop-Up Holiday Market - At Casey Farm
Nov 24, 25, & 26, 2023	Holiday Shop & Stroll - At West Place Animal Sanctuary
Nov 24 & 26 - Dec 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, & 17 2023	Holiday Markets - The Providence Flea
Nov 25,26, & Dec 3,10,& 17, 2023	Liberty Farm's Open Farm Holiday Shopping Extravaganza - At Liberty Farm!
Nov 30, 2024	Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) - German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island
Nov 26, 2023	Annual Winter Market - at Warwick Center for the Arts
Nov 24 - 26, 2023	Black Friday Market - At Providence Place
Dec 5,12, & 19, 2024	Candlelight Shopping - With The Historic Village Of Chepachet
Dec 5,6,7,8,13,14, & 15, 2024	Foundry Artists Holiday Show & Sale - At Pawtucket Armory Arts Center

Dec 2, 2023	Holiday bazaar - At North Providence Union Free Public Library
Dec 2, 2023	Audubon Holiday Craft Fair - At Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge - With Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Dec 2, 2023	Narragansett Holiday Street Faire - Town of Narragansett, RI
Dec 2 & 9 , 2023	Holiday shopping in the barn! - The Farm - Chepachet, RI
Dec 2, 2023	2022 Christmas Market Fest & Tree Lighting - With Middleborough, MA
Dec 2 & 3, 2023	2023 Holiday Market - At WaterFire Arts Center
Dec 4, 2024	27th Annual Holiday Stroll & Artisan Marketplace Downtown Westerly Pawcatuck - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce -Westerly, RI
Dec 8 & 9, 2023	2023 Holiday Arts Market - At Jamestown Art Center
Dec 9, 2023	Holiday Magic Marketplace - At Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport) - With We Be Jammin' Events
Dec 7, 2024	Christmas by the Sea 2024 - At The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina - With Community Marketing
Dec 8, 2024	Christmas by the Sea - At Harbor Lights - With Community Marketing
Dec 8 & 9, 2023	Holiday Arts Market - At Jamestown Art Center
Dec 9, 2023	Holiday Bazaar - Southside Community Land Trust
Dec 9, 2023	Christmas by the Sea - At The North Beach Clubhouse- With Community Marketing
Dec 13 & 14, 2024	10th Annual Whisky Wonderland Holiday Bazaar (21+) - At Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. - With Field of Artisans
Dec 15, 2024	A Very Merry Marketplace - Crowne Plaza Hotel - With We Be Jammin' Events
Dec 16 & 17, 2023	Providence Artisans Holiday Show - At WaterFire Arts Center
Dec 16, 2023	Holiday Artisan Fair - At Pivotal Brewing Company - With Mount Hope Farm

Dec 17, 2023	4th Annual Christmas Specialty Market - With Tiverton Farmers Market

New Year's Eve

Dec 28, 2023	Noon Year's Eve - At Newport Public Library

Dec 30, 2023	Noon Years' Eve Party! - At North Providence Union Free Public Library
Dec 31, 2023	New Year's Eve Stargazing - At The Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre
Dec 31, 2023	Kids countdown to New Years with the BenAnna Band - At Mystic Seaport!
Dec 31, 2023	New Year’s Eve at Ocean House ( 21 +) – The House Party - Ocean House

Miscellaneous

Nov 9, & Dec 7, 2023	Cookie Decorating Class - Mount Hope Farm
Nov 9, 2022 - March 31, 2023	Festive Igloo Dining Experience - Gurney's Newport The Lounge & Firepit
November 14, 21 & December 4, 11, 18 2024	North Pole Limited - Edaville Family Theme Park
Nov 24, 2023	Family Day - Peppy Penguins - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence
Multiple dates beginning Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2023	SPARKLE! - At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum
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 24, 2023	Cruise with Coastal Queen to the Newport Illuminated Boat Parade - With Coastal Queen Cruises
Nov 25, 2023	Family Day - Snowy Cheer - At Muse Paint Bar - Providence
Nov 26, & Dec 2, 2023	Coastal Queen’s Candy Cane Express - With Coastal Queen Cruises
Dec 1, 2023	Movie Series: Holiday Comedies - Home Alone - Newport Public Library
Dec 2, & 6, 2023	Friends and Family Photo Day - At East Providence Public Library- Weaver Library
Dec 2, 2023	Holiday Carnival at Olde Mistick Village
Dec 2, & 17, 2023	Holiday Bubbly Cruise - On the Coastal Queen
Dec 1, 2023	Cinema Under the Stars - Elf - At Weekapaug Inn - Ocean House

Dec 2, 2023	19th Annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest - Artists' Exchange
Dec 3, 2023	THE WOO JINGLE 5K - With Run Rhody
Dec 5, 2023	Family Friendly Paint "Block Party" - Bristol RI Parks and Recreation - With Town of Bristol, RI
Dec 10, 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 1, 2023	Holiday Extravaganza - Newport Vineyards - Middletown, RI
Dec 9, 2023	Family Crafting: Holidays Around the World - at Warwick Center for the Arts
Dec 9, 2023	Family Fun: No-Sew Sock Snowman - At Newport Public Library

Dec 10, & 16, 2023	Holiday Cocktail Cruise - On the Coastal Queen
Dec 10, 2023	Downtown Jingle 5K - With Run Rhody

DEc 13, 2023	Geminid Meteor Shower 2023 - Under the Geminids at The Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre
Dec 14, 2023	Live Reading of A Christmas Carol - At Old Colony History Museum
Dec 14, 2023	Teen Cookie Decorating & Movie Night - At Newport Public Library
Dec 15, 2023	Reindeer Games Ages 2-5 - At Newport Public Library
Dec 15, 2023	2023 Annual Christmas Story Time (Virtual) - Town of Bristol, RI
Dec 14, 2023	Gingerbread House Workshop - Ocean House
Dec 13, 2023	Holiday Tunes! - Pawtucket Public Library


Dec 15, 2023	2023 Annual Christmas Story Time - Town of Bristol, RI

Dec 17, 2023	The Little Naturalist's Holiday Party - At Norman Bird Sanctuary
Dec 17,2023	Community Carol Sing - At Mystic Seaport

Dec 20, 2023	Jingle Kids Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) - At Seekonk Public Library
Dec 20, 2023	Family Movie Night - Pawtucket Public Library
Dec 22, 2023	Cookie & Cupcake Decorating Class - Ocean House
Dec 21, 2023	Christmas Cocktail Cabaret - At The Towers - With The Contemporary Theater Company
Dec 15, 2023	Holiday Stargazing Spectacular - At The Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

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!