Holiday Events 2026

Holidays at the Newport Mansions November 22, 2026 - January 3, 2027. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Surround yourself with the magic of the Newport Mansions in all their festive holiday finery! It's a beloved Newport tradition your family will love. The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Chateau-sur-Mer will welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays. Nearly 30 Christmas trees are exquisitely decorated to complement the décor and theme of each room, like Mr. Vanderbilt's tree in The Breakers, ornamented with trains and top hats! Hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements add color, warmth and life. As always, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 poinsettia plants – provides a perfect holiday photo opportunity. Make your plans now to visit the Newport Mansions for the holidays – and prepare to be dazzled! See more

Each year in late December, the Van Wickle/McKee family would return to Blithewold to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The household staff would arrive days before the family to ready the house for all the holiday celebrations. The head gardener and caretaker would gather evergreen boughs and cut down a tall tree from the property. The housekeeper and maids would decorate the tree in the entrance and the mantles in each room with the greenery, ensuring that their visitors would be welcomed into a warm house filled with the fragrance of Christmas. Tour each and every room in the Manor this holiday season and learn about all the adventures they experienced! Everywhere you look, you’ll be filled with the joy of the holiday season past and present. The Manor will occasionally close early for special events. Schedule subject to change, see Blithewold website for more details. See more

40th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Run Thursday, November 26th 2026 at 8:30 AM Each year, the Newport County YMCA hosts the annual Pie Run on Thanksgiving Day. This USATF sanctioned race, originally founded in 1985 by the Newport Running Club, collects food donations for the MLK Community Center as well as raises necessary funds for the Y’s Community Support Campaign. Typically, this beloved annual event draws over 2,000 walkers and runners who gather at the Newport County YMCA parking lot. This year, the Y is again offering a LIVE/IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL option, opening the event so that ALL members of our Y community can participate in a way that works for them! “Every year, we are so grateful to all our Pie Run participants as well as volunteers. This holiday tradition brings our community together while honoring the Y’s core values of health and wellness and social responsibility. The success of the event enables us to help those in our community with life-changing programs and Y scholarships. We are so thrilled that once again, Saccucci Honda will be our Premier Sponsor as we hit the road once more!” Mike Miller, CEO at the Newport County YMCA. See more

56th Annual Christmas in Newport: December 1 -31, 2026 (Throughout Newport and Bristol County) A CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION FOSTERING THE HISTORIC TRADITIONS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the non-commercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 56th year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar. In a community collaboration among residents, businesses and the City of Newport, clear sparkling lights illuminate downtown, our scenic harbor and wharves, the restored colonials of the Point and Historic Hill sections, and the Victorian splendor of Bellevue Avenue. The lights are meant to simulate candlelight and are the brainchild of Christmas in Newport founder Ruth Myers, who wished to recapture the candlelit holidays of bygone days. For more information about Christmas in Newport, email [email protected]. See more

Explore 350+ years of seasonal and holiday traditions at Strawbery Banke Museum’s 46th annual Candlelight Stroll. Wander the Museum grounds under the glow of candle boxes and string lights, visiting furnished historic homes from 1795 through the 1950s, each adorned with greens and dried flowers from the Museum’s heirloom gardens. Inside, costumed roleplayers portray neighborhood families, sharing stories, customs, and seasonal traditions. Tour exhibit houses highlight Portsmouth’s maritime heritage, traditional trades, and more, offering context to life in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. Outside, carolers, fife-and-drummers, and other musicians fill the air with seasonal melodies, while wandering historical reenactors bring figures from the past to life across the grounds. Twice each evening, Ice Dance International’s Currier & Ives Vintage Christmas Skaters take the ice for special performances that capture the spirit of the season (weather dependent). Visitors can warm up at the Cider Shed with a cup of cider, then explore the Grove of Sponsored Holiday Trees, where you can vote for your favorite. See more

Explore 350+ years of seasonal and holiday traditions at Strawbery Banke Museum’s 46th annual Candlelight Stroll. Wander the Museum grounds under the glow of candle boxes and string lights, visiting furnished historic homes from 1795 through the 1950s, each adorned with greens and dried flowers from the Museum’s heirloom gardens. Inside, costumed roleplayers portray neighborhood families, sharing stories, customs, and seasonal traditions. Tour exhibit houses highlight Portsmouth’s maritime heritage, traditional trades, and more, offering context to life in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. Outside, carolers, fife-and-drummers, and other musicians fill the air with seasonal melodies, while wandering historical reenactors bring figures from the past to life across the grounds. Twice each evening, Ice Dance International’s Currier & Ives Vintage Christmas Skaters take the ice for special performances that capture the spirit of the season (weather dependent). Visitors can warm up at the Cider Shed with a cup of cider, then explore the Grove of Sponsored Holiday Trees, where you can vote for your favorite. See more

Step into a world of enchantment this holiday season with the **New York Theatre Ballet: The Nutcracker - Keene** at the charming Colonial Theatre in Keene, New Hampshire. This beloved classic comes to life in a beautifully intimate setting, where the twinkling lights and festive decorations create a magical atmosphere perfect for families and friends. Experience the joy of Clara's journey as she encounters whimsical characters and breathtaking dance, all set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with wonder and delight at the **New York Theatre Ballet: The Nutcracker - Keene Colonial Theatre - Keene**. Whether you're a ballet enthusiast or new to the art form, this performance promises to capture your heart and ignite your holiday spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this cherished tradition—book your tickets now and make memories that will last a lifetime! See more