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Bright Nights & Local Delights 🌟
New art at CRU PVD, passport-free shopping around Rhode Island this weekend, holiday lights you can still catch before Christmas, + more!
After a week that’s weighed heavy on the hearts of so many in our community, we’re reminded that even small acts of kindness – a check-in text, a thoughtful gift, a shared laugh – can mean more than ever. As we close in on the holidays, we’re lighting up your inbox with ways to shop local, connect with loved ones, and savor the little joys Rhode Island has to offer.
CRU PVD Gets a Colorful Glow-Up from Artist Heather Mara
Cranston-based artist Heather Mara has unveiled a vibrant, photo-ready mural inside CRU PVD, marking Rhode Island’s stop on her mission to paint a mural in every New England state. Packed with hidden local details and big creative energy, the piece turns a dining room wall into an experience that invites repeat visits and plenty of snapshots. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Heather Mara
Presented by The Beatrice
Holiday Magic Awaits at The Beatrice
At The Beatrice, the holidays arrive with sparkle. Located on historic Westminster Street in downtown Providence, this independently owned boutique hotel pairs timeless design with thoughtful touches. Named the #13 Best Hotel in New England by Condé Nast Traveler and the #1 Hotel in Providence on TripAdvisor, The Beatrice redefines what it means to stay, savor, and celebrate local.
From the moment guests step inside, the experience feels effortlessly luxurious. The hotel's 47 rooms blend refined comfort with modern amenities, including Matouk linens, Dyson hair dryers, heated towel racks and bidet toilets, creating a cozy hideaway. The Sip & Snack mini bar highlights local flavors from Hope & Main makers, Rhode Island's premier food incubator.
December brings an added layer of enchantment. The Sugarplums & Sweet Dreams package includes two mezzanine tickets to Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker at The Vets, a gourmet milk-and-cookie turndown, and a keepsake ornament. For the ultimate holiday experience, the Nutcracker Suite transforms the hotel’s Barton Suite into a festive retreat, complete with holiday décor and a Christmas tree.
The celebrations continue through New Year's Eve with an overnight package featuring access to the glamorous Bellini Rooftop soirée, an evening of premium open bar, elevated bites, and a DJ-led countdown overlooking Providence. For an added splurge, guests can enjoy the Barolo & White Truffle Dinner, while those seeking something more understated can opt for a festive dinner at the elegant Bellini Providence.
Bellini embraces the season as well, with champagne brunches on weekends, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prix fixe menus, and winter luxuries such as a Dessert & Digestif Cart and tableside white-truffle service.
Whether stopping in for a festive meal or settling in for a weekend escape, The Beatrice offers a beautifully curated way to celebrate the season. Details and packages available at TheBeatrice.com.
Shop the World Without Leaving the 401
The Cultural Survival Bazaar returns to Providence December 20-21 with over 50 Indigenous artists and performers from around the globe. Shop handmade, fair-trade gifts, enjoy live music and dance, and celebrate culture with meaning at the WaterFire Arts Center. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Cultural Survival
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Friday 12/19 | Motif’s 4th Annual Santa Stroll Break out the Santa hats and head to Track 15 in Providence at 5:30 pm for Motif’s festive Santa Stroll, where holiday cheer, drinks, food, and merry mayhem kick off a spirited crawl through the city. Learn more online ⸻ Holiday Movie Trivia Night at Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge Test your holiday movie knowledge in South Kingstown at Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge in South Kingstown from 8-10pm, where festive trivia, specialty cocktails, and crowd-favorite Christmas classics set the scene for a cozy, competitive night out. Learn more online ⸻ Pawtucket Farmers Market Holiday Pop-Up Shop local and soak up the festive vibes in Pawtucket at Jordan’s Jungle on Friday from 3:30–7:30pm, when the Pawtucket Farmers Market rolls in with a stacked lineup of makers, food finds, and easy holiday cheer. Learn more online ⸻ Holiday Cruise on the Coastal Queen featuring the Irish Band Failte Set sail from Newport’s Bowen’s Wharf on the Coastal Queen at 3pm for a festive 90-minute cruise filled with scenic bay views, holiday cheer and live Irish music from Fáilte. Learn more online ⸻ Book Signing with Author John Tschirch Visit the historic Colony House in Newport from 3-5pm to meet author John Tschirch and get your copy of Jamestown: Architecture, Landscape, and the Making of a Rhode Island Paradise signed. Learn more online ⸻ Stoneacre Soiree Head to Stoneacre in Newport at 9pm for a late-night party filled with house beats, great cocktails, “sorry for partying” snacks and zero cover as DJ Knob Barker keeps the vibes going until 1am. Learn more online ⸻ Cirque Dreams Holidaze Experience a whimsical blend of Broadway flair and contemporary circus artistry at the Providence Performing Arts Center as Cirque Dreams Holidaze fills the stage with storybook characters, holiday classics and dazzling spectacle December 19-21. Learn more online ⸻ Providence College vs. Seton Hall |
Saturday 12/20 | Sip O Scoop O Shop: Mini Holiday Market ⸻ Hot Chocolate With the Grinch ⸻ Holiday Benefit Concert for the East Bay Food Pantry featuring The DMB Project Head to Bristol for a feel-good night at Pivotal Brewing Company from 6-9pm, where The DMB Project brings Dave Matthews Band favorites to the taproom for a ticketed holiday concert supporting the East Bay Food Pantry. Learn more online ⸻ Save One Soul Pet Adoption Event Wrap up the season with some puppy love in Wakefield at SOS Retail Pet Supplies from 11am-1pm, where Save One Soul Animal Rescue brings adoptable dogs ready to find their forever homes just in time for the holidays. Learn more online ⸻ Christmas Pops Catch the holiday magic in Westerly as the Chorus of Westerly brings its festive Christmas Pops show to life on December 20 and 21, offering beloved classics, lively sing-alongs, and family fun at every performance. Learn more online ⸻ Cultural Survival Bazaar Celebrate the Winter Solstice in Providence at the WaterFire Arts Center, where the Cultural Survival Bazaar brings together Indigenous artists, global makers and cultural performances for a vibrant two-day festival running Saturday and Sunday. Learn more online ⸻ Kosher Senior Cafe Hanukkah Party Head to the Dwares JCC in Providence from 11am-1pm for a Hanukkah celebration featuring live music by Shelley Katsh, festive treats, and community spirit. Learn more online ⸻ Santa Photos with Patience Inspired Dog Training Patience Inspired Dog Training in Coventry hosts Santa photos for pups from 11am-2pm, with festive backdrops, free cocoa and cookies, and a $5 discount for anyone who donates to the West Warwick Animal Shelter. Learn more online ⸻ Santa Visit and Holiday Market at Track 15 Track 15 in Providence hosts a festive Santa visit and Holiday Market from 11am-2:30pm, offering family photo ops, handmade gifts from local vendors, and performances from two local artist groups. Learn more online ⸻ Rhode Island Food Crawls Book Talk with Jamie Coelho Symposium Books in Providence welcomes Rhode Island Monthly editor-in-chief Jamie Coelho at 4pm for a chat about her new book Rhode Island Food Crawls, serving up insider tips, hidden gems, and delicious local favorites from across the Ocean State. Learn more online |
Sunday 12/21 | Tiverton Farmers Market’s Annual Christmas Specialty Market ⸻ “Last Chance” Holiday Marketplace at Narragansett Brewery ⸻ Providence Flea at Farm Fresh RI ⸻ Sweet Bites & Savory Spirits Cooking Celebration Class ⸻ Trinity Rep: A Christmas Carol |
Monday 12/22 | A Very Merry Burg-Mas ⸻ Matt Rife Live in Providence |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
This Week on Hey Rhody Weekly: Rhode Island Holiday Lights You Can Still Visit Before Christmas
It’s December 17, and the clock is officially ticking on Rhode Island’s best holiday light displays. This week on Hey Rhody Weekly, we break down the three spots you can still squeeze in before Christmas Eve – from the Zoo’s must-book walking tour to drive-thru lights and neighborhood shows that don’t require a single ticket. Think of it as your last-call game plan for festive nights out, minus the panic and plus a whole lot of glow.
🎁 Still got names on your nice list?
Don’t stress – we’ve done the browsing so you can get to wrapping. Our Local Gift Guides (yes, we made three!) are bursting with Rhody-made goodies, festive finds, and surprises you’ll want to keep for yourself. Tap into Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 and check off that list the Ocean State way.
5 Festive Places in Rhode Island That Lift the Spirit
When the holidays feel complicated, sometimes a change of scenery and a little sparkle can help. From over-the-top décor and cozy comfort food to twinkling lights and thoughtfully festive menus, these Rhode Island spots offer small but meaningful moments of cheer when you need it most. Read more online.
• By Elyse Major, photo by Jenna Kaplan
⭐ Ever wished your ice cream came with a backstage pass? Wright’s Creamery’s Test Batch Club is back, inviting fans to spend 12 weeks tasting exclusive, music-inspired flavors and voting on which experimental pints deserve a permanent spot. With limited memberships and a direct line into the flavor-creation process, this is your chance to help shape the future of Wright’s ice cream, one weekly scoop at a time.
⭐ Looking for a feel-good way to stretch the holiday magic a little longer? Roger Williams Park Zoo is offering a Free Admission Day on December 27 with a food drive for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, followed by half-price admission all winter long from January through February. It’s an easy excuse to bundle up, give back, and enjoy a fresh-air visit with your favorite animals during the quieter, cozier season at the Zoo.
⭐ Ever wondered how Rhode Islanders celebrated Christmas before inflatable Santas and string lights took over? Christmas on Benefit Street invites you to stroll one of Providence’s most storied streets with a costumed guide, uncovering festive traditions from centuries past, from solemn observance to spirited caroling. It’s a history-forward holiday walk that brings seasonal stories to life, no ghosts required.