Happy Thursday! And WOW — only a week to go until Christmas!

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness 📝 of the season. Things we are responsible for, obligations to meet, places to go, etc. But take just a moment and reflect on the gift of just having so many great people in our lives. That’s part of the real “Reason for the Season”, after all.

But we have some unique Ocean State experiences and diversions this week. If you need a break ☕️ or want to immerse yourself in holiday culture and cheer, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get right to it and plan the weekend for maximum holiday relaxation and festive Rhode Island fun 🎄!

P.S. “The Man Who Invented Christmas” was wayyy better than expected! Add it to your holiday film watch list — you won’t be disappointed!

In This Issue

🚂 Whimsical Trains…

🕯️ Candlelit Concerts...

🎄 Holiday Halls…

Outdoor & Nature

🎄 Decked Halls and Mini Rails: Experience holiday cheer among brightly decorated trees and whimsical train displays. Enjoy the twilight hours at “All Aboard the Holidays” in the Roger Williams Botanical Center, Providence.

🦀 Stroll and Discover: Stroll on an educational journey through Napatree Point, led by expert naturalists. Learn about the unique coastal habitats and species during the “Napatree Natural History Walk”, Westerly. Tell Taylor I said hi.

🕯️Join a lantern-lit stroll: Walk down historic Benefit Street and uncover a bit of the evolution of holiday celebrations in Providence. Check out tales of pious observance and carousing carolers at “Christmas On Benefit Street: A History Tour”, Providence.

🍂 Stroll Through Winter's Charm: Explore 7 miles of serene trails at the historic Monastery grounds in Cumberland. From stone walls to a hidden quarry, this spot is perfect for a peaceful holiday-season hike with family or friends. Discover more at Monastery Trails. (On that note, make a note to visit Spencer Abbey in Spencer MA - you won’t be disappointed).

Food & Drink

🎄 Espresso Your Holiday Cheer: This café is decking the halls with bold brews and seasonal delights. Stop by Hazel Origin Coffee, Providence, for a festive caffeine fix with a side of community love. The photo on instagram are LIT.

🧁 Mix, Chill, Enjoy: Make a custom ice cream flavor perfect for holiday indulgence or gifting. Create your dessert and watch the magic of liquid nitrogen at “Make Your Own Pint of Ice Cream”, Providence.

🎲 Roll Into Holiday Fun: Gather friends for a night of laughs, board games, and friendly rivalry. Celebrate the season with good vibes and strategic wins, and nachos, at “Game Night!” at The Parlour, Providence.

🎅 Bites, Cheer, and Santa: Indulge in a cozy brunch with seasonal dishes while Santa makes the rounds. Perfect for kids and holiday enthusiasts alike at “Brunch with Santa”, Westerly.

🎄 Craft Boards, Craft Memories: Master the art of holiday hosting with a charcuterie board class paired with seasonal craft beer. Unleash your inner foodie at “Bellissimo Boards Charcuterie Class” at Long Live Beerworks, Providence. NOTE: Save your appetite!

🍷 Festive Feasts and Jazz Beats: Enjoy the sounds of the season with live jazz, paired with gourmet Italian dishes and holiday ambiance. A perfect way to relax this winter at “Jazz Nights” at Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, Newport.

Entertainment

🎄 Spin Into Holiday Magic: Sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and dazzling snow scenes ready to entertain in the beloved holiday ballet, along with a 38 foot growing Christmas tree. Experience the enchanting world of “The Nutcracker” at The Vets, Providence.

🎄 Celebrate the holiday season at The Park: Fill up on lively Irish music, dance, and stories. Enjoy a family-friendly show filled with humor and energy at “Irish Christmas in America”, Cranston.

🕯️ Light Up the Holidays: Enjoy a cozy candlelit concert featuring festive classics like "The Nutcracker" performed by a live string quartet. Feel the holiday magic in an intimate setting at “Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ & More”, Providence.

🎄 Deck the Halls with Music: Experience holiday classics and cheerful melodies in a cozy concert setting. Celebrate the season with family and friends at “Holiday Pops with the Stadium Theatre Orchestra”, Woonsocket.

✨ Transform Bah Humbug to Holiday Joy: Journey with Scrooge through a night of redemption, nostalgia, and holiday wonder. Don’t miss this seasonal favorite at “Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol”, Providence. Don’t disappoint Tiny Tim!

Arts, Crafts & Culture

🍷 Sip, Paint, and Be Merry: Add some holiday cheer to your week with this cozy, creative painting session. Walk away with art you’ll be proud to hang from “Classic Painting” at Muse Paintbar, Providence.

❄️ Paint Your Winter Wonderland: Dive into watercolor techniques to craft lively winter scenes. Explore color mixing in “Warm Winter Palette” with Lana Quann, The Wandering Brush, at Bristol Art Museum.

🎨 Shop Local, Gift Unique: Explore a dazzling array of handmade pottery, paintings, and jewelry at the 53rd Annual Holiday Pottery & Art Sale in Kingston. Don't miss the famous mug wall—perfect for holiday gifting. Have a Mugly Christmas and a Mugly New Year.

🎄 Stars Meet Holiday Cheer: Enjoy a relaxing planetarium show featuring constellations and seasonal celestial events. Great for sparking wonder during the holidays at the “Planetarium Show at Museum” in Providence. Rumor has it a star once led some wise men to a little baby.

Rhody Moments

✨ Federal Holiday: "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" on Federal Hill. Catch a festive quick snapshot of a fully decked out Federal Hill in sparkling Christmas attire in this Instagram Reel. Some lovely, lovely, nostalgic comments, too.

🎄 Twinkle & Shine @ The Zoo: "Holiday Lights Spectacular" at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence. Enjoy the dazzling lights and festive vibes. Fun fact: It's a perfect spot for holiday selfies! And if you are not going to go, the video really captures the vibe so give it a watch.

🎄 History Meets Christmas Cheer: Inside a Historic 300-Year-Old Greek Revival Home dives into a 300-year-old Newport “Greek Revival” mansion decked out in beachy, festive Christmas decor. With bold modern art, preserved charm, and quirky hidden details, the home feels alive with personality. Fun twist: it has a ballroom and a bunch of secret compartments.

Photo of the Week

FEEDBACK

That’s it for this issue of the Rhody Weekender. Make the most of it!

See you next week!

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