November 30th – Monday

Official Opening of Christmas in Newport, 6 p.m., Washington Sq. Features proclamation from the Mayor, tree lighting, Newport Artillery cannon salute, live entertainment. Free. 849-6454.  www.ChristmasinNewport.org.

December 1st – Tuesday

Newport Historical Society Holiday Open House at Newport Colony House, 5-6 p.m., Washington Square, Newport. Tour the Colony House before the Christmas in Newport’s official opening ceremony. Seasonal music and refreshments. Donation requested. 846-0813.

Judging of the Newport Doorway Contest, deadline is Friday, December 11. Register your home or business for judging at 848-6707.

December 2nd – Wednesday

Nativity of Christ Puppet Show, 7p.m., The United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Rd., Middletown. Larger than life rod & stick puppets & marionettes tell the story of the Nativity. Fun for the whole family. Free will donation requested. 846-3515 or 862-0573.

Traditional Lessons and Carols Performed by Schola Cantorum of St. John’s, 6 p.m., Church of St. John the Evangelist, Washington & Willow Sts. A service patterned after that presented at King’s College, Oxford, seven traditional readings interspersed with musical offerings. Free will offering. 848-2561.

Christmas Acoustic Benefit Concert, 7 p.m., Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham St. Numerous local musicians participating to benefit Lucy’s Hearth and The McKinney Shelter. Admission $10. 849-4250.  Email MGorman20@cox.net

December 3rd – Thursday

Nativity of Christ Puppet Show, 7p.m., The United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Rd., Middletown. Larger than life rod & stick puppets & marionettes tell the story of the Nativity. Fun for the whole family. Free will donation requested. 846-3515 or 862-0573.
December 4th – Friday

Holiday Lantern Tours of Historic Newport, 5 p.m. departing from the Brick Market Museum, 127 Thames St. Discover the history of Newport winter traditions on a lantern-lit stroll through Newport’s historic hill. Reservations strongly recommended. $12 adults, $5 ages 12 and under. Weather permitting. 841-8770.

Nativity of Christ Puppet Show, 7p.m., The United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Rd., Middletown. Larger than life rod & stick puppets & marionettes tell the story of the Nativity. Fun for the whole family. Free will donation requested. 846-3515 or 862-0573.

Christmas at the King House, 7-8p.m., 35 King St. Holiday classics from around the world performed by The Salve Regina Madrigal Singers. Admission $7. 846-7426.

Holiday Critter Glitter Jewelry Preview Party at Potter League for Animals, 5-8 p.m., 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown. Refreshments. Tickets $25 per person. 846-8276.
December 5th – Saturday

9th Annual Lucy’s Hearth Designer Wreath Sale, 9-1 p.m., Rotunda at Easton’s Beach. Christmas wreaths and table top decorations created by designers, artists, gardeners and florists from our community. All proceeds go to Lucy’s Hearth. 848-7515.

RI Junior League Inn Tour
Self-guided tour, 11-4pm, registration at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, cocktail reception from 8-10pm, Newport Art Museum, 331-9302, www.jlri.org

Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes, Samuel Whitehorne House, 10-3 p.m., 416 Thames St. Gain an intimate glimpse of Christmas festivities of the early 1800s in a Federal-style Newport Mansion. Meet the two Whitehorne daughters and learn about the history of the holiday and why some less tolerant colonies had outlawed holiday celebrations. Sample one of Mrs. Whitehorne’s desserts and take away a booklet of authentic colonial recipes. $5 per person, children under 5 are free. 847-2448.  liz@newportrestoration.org

UnDecked Halls: A Glimpse Behind the Shutters at Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Ave., 10-3 p.m. (tours offered every ½ hr. with last tour at 2:30 p.m.). Enjoy an authentic view inside heiress Doris Duke’s Newport mansion in the winter. Experience the quiet house, decorated staff wing, hear about Miss Duke’s tropical holiday spent in Hawaii, and learn how Rough Point’s winter caretaking traditions have remained the same for the past half century. The tour is of the first floor of the house and refreshments are served. $10 adults, $8 children under 12 yrs. Tickets sold at the door. 847-8344. liz@newportrestoration.org

39th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting and Open House, America’s Cup Ave., 4:30p.m. Frosty The Snowman and caroling, City Official lights the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by boat (weather permitting). Open house at Bowen’s Wharf shops. Free admission. 849-2120.  www.bowenswharf.com

12th Annual Harbor Lights Parade of Boats & Blessing of the Fleet, 6 p.m., Newport Harbor. Commercial boats and pleasure crafts decorated and lighted for the holidays. Free. 845-5815.

Salve Regina University’s 33rd Annual Governor’s Ball, 9 p.m., Ochre Court, 100 Ochre Point Ave. $150 per person, corporate sponsorship available also. Black tie gala with proceeds benefiting Salve Regina’s scholarship fund. 401-341-2381.

Holiday Movies, Crafts and Drawing Contest at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, 10-3 p.m., 194 Bellevue Ave. Victorian Christmas display on view. Guided Museum Tour at 1:30 p.m. For all ages, free to ITHF members, $10 for non-members. 849-3990 or visit www.tennisfame.com

Santa’s Workshop, noon-3p.m., Easton’s Beach Carousel & Rotunda. Fun afternoon for families to enjoy crafts, ride the carousel and visit with Santa who arrives by fire truck at 1p.m. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Newport. $5 per child includes a goody bag and 1 ride on the carousel and 1 ride on the mini-train. Refreshments. Admission limited due to space capacity. 845-5800.

Christmas Silver Tea and Boutique, Honyman Hall, Trinity Church, Queen Anne Sq., 1-4p.m. Tea, crafts and seasonal greens. $8. 846-0660.

Swanhurst Chorus’ “An Evening with Anton Bruckner”, 8 p.m., Church of St. John the Evangelist, Washington & Willow St. The evening will feature Brucker’s Mass in f minor, Ave Maria and Virga Jesse. $20 in advance, $22.50 at door, $10 student. For tickets or more info. 682-1630 or www.Swanhurst.org.

Redwood Library and Athenaeum Holiday Open House, 10-4p.m., 50 Bellevue Ave. Music, entertainment, refreshments for children and adults, as well as tours of the historic Library at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 847-0292.  www.redwoodlibrary.org/events.

December 6th – Sunday

Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes, Samuel Whitehorne House, 10-3 p.m., see Dec 5 for details.

Christmas at Whitehall, “A 1730 Christmas”, 2-4 p.m., Whitehall Museum House, 311 Berkeley Ave., Middletown. A colonial Christmas party, candle-lit tours of the historic home of George Berkeley, wassail, cookies and music of the period. Sponsored by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Free, donations accepted. 849-3672.  www.whitehallmuseumhouse.org

Holiday Band Concert, 1 p.m., Salve Regina University, Ochre Court Great Hall, 100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport Community Symphonic Band performing. Admission $5, $3 for students and seniors. 401-341-2945.

Annual Christmas Music Service, 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Broadway at Everett St. Sanctuary Choir, Handbell choir and soloists. Free. 847-1749.

Holiday Movies, Crafts and Drawing Contest at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, see Dec. 5 for details.

“Deck the Hall”, 5:30 p.m., at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, 194 Bellevue Ave. Annual outdoor tree lighting ceremony with caroling by the Cluny School Choir and refreshments. Free. 849-3990 or visit www.tennisfame.com

Visit with Santa Claus at The Breakers, noon – 3 p.m., 44 Ochre Point Ave. Sponsored by The Preservation Society of Newport County. Adults $16.50 , youth 6-17 yrs. $4, members free. 847-1000.  www.newportmansions.org.

December 7th – Monday

Holiday Gingerbread House, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., open daily at The Newport Marriott Hotel for public viewing and picture taking, 25 America’s Cup Ave. Free with non-perishable canned good donation for charity. 849-1000.

December 8
Nutmeg & Mistletoe Performance
Area musicians and singers perform holiday music, OceanCliff, 7pm, 683-6565

December 9
NASA Fuel Cell Rescue – IYRS Lecture
Captain Prentice “Skip” Strong, III, author of “In  Peril,” will give a presentation about the dramatic salvage, International Yacht Restoration School, 6:30pm, 849-3448

December 10
St. George’s Service of Lessons & Carols

The birth of Jesus told thru lesson and song, St. George’s School, Middletown, 7pm, free, 847-7565
Gallery Night
Artist studios, galleries and museums extend hours citywide. Original art sold tax-free.
5-8 pm, www.newportgalleries.org

December 11 & 18
Holiday Lantern Tour
Lantern-lit stroll through Historic Hill, 5pm, departs from the Brick Market Museum, 5pm, weather permitting, 841-8770

December 11

Skating Center Opening & Tree Lighting
See the skating Santa at the tree lighting, singing and hot chocolate, Newport Yachting Center, 5:45 pm, free, 846-1600

Newport Navy Choristers Concert
“Christmas in Song” by the Newport Navy Choristers, St. Lucy’s Church, Middletown,
7:30 pm, 849-1135

December 11 & 12
Madrigals Choral Concert
Salve Regina University chorus and madrigals, Ochre Court, 8pm, 341-2945

December 11 & 18
Victorian Christmas Feast
Holiday dinner and musical performance 1891 style. Astors’ Beechwood,
Mansion, 7-10 pm, 846-3772
www.astorsbeechwood.com

December 12
Owl Prowl
Learn about winter nightlife, trail walk,
Norman Bird Sanctuary, 7pm, 846-2577
Reading of the Night Before Christmas
A Newport tradition, carols and visit from Santa, International Tennis Hall of Fame,
3 pm, 849-3990, www.tennisfame.com
“Invisible Church” Concert
Community Baptist Church concert,
50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., 7 pm,
free, 847-1707

December 12 & 13
Victorian Christmas Display
Holiday open house and family activities including scavenger hunts and Wii tennis, International Tennis Hall of Fame,
9:30 am – 5 pm, 849-3990, tennisfame.com

Holiday Inn Tour
Get an insider’s look at many of our historic and beautifully furnished inns and bed and breakfasts decorated for the season. Organized by the Newport Inns and Bed and Breakfast Association, tickets available at the Newport Visitors Center, 4-7pm, 855-8701

Jamestown Community Concert
Special 60th Anniversary Concert, Jamestown Community Center, 7:30pm, Sat. 3pm & 7:30pm, 423-1574

December 12 & 19
Undecked Halls
A “behind the scenes” tour of Doris Duke’s mansion, see portions of the mansion not normally open, Rough Point, 10am-3pm,
847-8344, www.newportrestoration.org

December 12 & 26
Holiday Evening at the Breakers
Unique chance to see this magnificent house in a “different light,” The Breakers, 6–8 pm, 847-1000, www.newportmansions. org

December 12, 13 & 19, 20
Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes
Reenactment of early 1800s celebration, Samuel Whitehorne House, 416 Thames Street, 10am-3pm, 847-2448

December 13
Santa at Marble House
Marble House, noon–3pm, 847-1000

December 13 & 20
Belcourt Christmas Tea Concert
Swanhurst Chamber Singers  holiday performance and tour of the mansion, followed by silver tea service of sweets and hot drinks, Belcourt Castle, 1:30 pm,
846-0669, www.belcourtcastle.com

December 13
Glen Manor Open House
Entertainment & refreshments, Glen Manor House, Portsmouth, 2 – 4pm, free, 683-4177

December 14
In Search of Beethoven
One night screening, sponsored by Newport Music Festival, 7pm, Jane Pickens Theater, 846-5252, www.janepickens.com

December 15
Lunch with the Artist
“Michelangelo’s David: A Modern Man or Old Fashioned Prophet?” hosted by Richard Tyre, bring own lunch, noon, Newport Art Museum, 848-2800,
www.newportartmuseum.org

Medieval Christmas Pageant
Candlelight service of the portrayal of the Christmas story, St. George’s School, Middletown, 7 pm, free, 847-7565

December 16
Community Concert
Larry Brown’s Swinglane Orchestra and The Astors’ Choral Ensemble perform at the annual WADK Christmas Concert, Newport Marriott Hotel Atrium, 7 pm, free, 846-1540

December 18 & 19
The Bit Players
Newport’s Comedy Improv Troupe, each show is a “bit” different, BYOB, Firehouse Theater,
8 pm, 849-3473, www.firehousetheater.org

December 19
Polly Wanton & White Horse Tavern Tour
Visit the 1697 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House and meet a historical interpreter portraying Polly Wanton, tour of White Horse Tavern follows, departs from Brick Market Museum, reservations required, 2pm, 841-8770

Murder Mystery at Astors’
A holiday play “whodunit,” Astors’ Beechwood, 7 pm, 846-3772

The Messiah and Carols
Annual performance by Swanhurst Chorus, followed by a Wassail Bowl reception, Emmanuel Church, 7 pm, 682-1630
www.swanhurst.org

Holiday Evening Duet
The Elms and Marble House in full holiday regale, open for leisurely self-guided tours, live music and refreshments, 6 – 9 pm,  847-1000
www.newportmansions.org

December 19 & 26
Holiday Lantern Tour

Learn the history behind Newport holiday traditions on a lantern-lit stroll. Tour departs from the Colony House, 5 pm, sponsored by the Newport Historical Society, 846-0813

December 19 & 20
Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes
Reenactment of early 1800s celebration, Samuel Whitehorne House, 416 Thames Street, 10am-3pm, 847-2448

December 20
Music in the Galleries
Newport Brass Quintet, Newport Art Museum, 2pm, 848-8220

Santa at The Elms
The Elms, noon–3pm, 847-1000
www.newportmansions.org

“Christmas on the Hill”
Ecumenical candlelight service of lessons and carols with island choirs, Trinity Church, free, 846-0660, www.trinitynewport.org

December 21
“The First Christmas, A Living Nativity”
Live animals add to the reality of this outdoor reenactment, Cluny School, Brenton Rd., free,
6 pm, 841-9753, www.clunyschool.org

December 22
IL Trovatore “LIVE”
IL Trovatore – Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, live screening at 2pm,  delayed screening at 7pm, Jane Pickens Theater, 846-5252,
www.janepickens.com

December 25
Merry Christmas!

December 26
The Bit Players
Newport’s Comedy Improv Troupe, each show is a little “bit” different, always BYOB, Firehouse Theater, 8 pm, 849-3473,
www.firehousetheater.org

Holiday Evening at the Breakers
Unique chance to see this magnificent house in a “different light,” The Breakers, 6–8 pm, 847-1000, www.newportmansions. org

December 26, 27 & 28
Private Home Candlelight Tour
Several 18th and 19th century private homes open their doors to guests, maps with the addresses are available at Visitors Center, tours are 4 – 7 pm, 293-0965

December 26 – 31
Holiday Train Rides
Heated, enclosed antique railroad coaches provide an old-fashioned scenic ride along the bay, train departs from the depot at
19 America’s Cup Avenue, 11:45 am and
1:45 pm, 624-6951

December 28 – 31
Seal Watch Cruises
Dress warm, 11am (Dec. 28 10am) Save the Bay boat departs from Bowen’s Landing,
324-6020, www.savebay.org

December 29
Undecked Halls
A “behind the scenes” tour of Doris Duke’s mansion, see portions of the mansion not normally open, Rough Point, 10am-3pm,
847-8344, www.newportrestoration.org

December 31
Murder Mystery at Astors’
A holiday play “whodunit,” Astors’ Beechwood, 7 pm, 846-3772
Belcourt New Year’s Eve Gala
Dance to Larry Brown’s Swinglane Orchestra, appetizers, chocolate buffet, open bar and champagne, 9-1am, (Black tie dinner 7-9pm also offered) Belcourt Castle, 846-0669,
www.belcourtcastle.com