Plunge into something new 🎊

Discover cold plunges and new beginnings, a recent release from a PVD native, best bites in the creative capitol, + more!

December 30, 2025

If time feels fake this week, you’re not alone. The stretch between Christmas and New Year’s Eve exists in its own mysterious time zone where pajamas are acceptable all day and every morning feels like a Sunday. Today’s newsletter is here as a gentle reminder that yes, it is Tuesday – and Rhode Island is still very much doing things worth leaving the couch for.

New Year’s Day Polar Plunges Across Rhode Island to Kick Off 2026

Rhode Island kicks off the New Year the only way it knows how — with costumes, community, and a freezing cold dive into the Atlantic. From Narragansett to Charlestown, these bold-as-brass plunges support local causes and give 2026 the dramatic entrance it deserves. Read more online.

From Providence to WOW Factor

In Delivering the WOW, Providence native Richard Fain traces his journey from the East Side to leading Royal Caribbean Group, sharing how culture, alignment, and a relentless focus on experience transformed a small cruise line into a global powerhouse. It’s a fast, insightful read that doubles as a master class in leadership, resilience, and why “good enough” is never the goal. Read more online.

Overcome Burnout with OMpowerment’s Strategies for Entrepreneurs with ADHD

Finding work-life balance is the dream for many busy professionals juggling work and family responsibilities, and for neurodivergent entrepreneurs, that dream can often feel out of reach. That’s where Nikolai Blinow comes in. Through her practice, OMpowerment Psychotherapy, she offers a light at the end of the tunnel for clients trying to break out of cycles of burnout. “Not all therapy and coaching is created equally,” she says, “and if you have an ADHD diagnosis, or suspect you may, it’s important to work with a coach or therapist who understands how your brain functions.”

A licensed mental health counselor and coach specializing in neurodivergent entrepreneurs and executives in their 30s and 40s, Blinow uses holistic, evidence-based strategies to help clients work smarter, not harder, and carve out more time for the things they enjoy in life. “Roughly 4-6 percent of people have ADHD,” she explains, “yet it’s estimated that around 30 percent of entrepreneurs have ADHD, and that one in five C-suite executives has undiagnosed ADHD.”

Blinow has always been a high-achiever, but struggled when it came to finding the calm within the chaos in her professional life. She founded OMpowerment in 2015 to help people break free of hustle culture, and gave a TEDx Talk on yoga and its connection to mental health. Her practice empowers clients by applying high levels of accountability, paired with transparency and authenticity. Clients value her ability to “compassionately call them out” about patterns that get in their way.

“Women, in particular, are more likely to experience ADHD symptoms as they enter perimenopause in their 30s and 40s,” Blinow notes. On Tuesday, June 17, she is co-hosting a free online book club with naturopathic physician, Dr. Amanda Tracy, on The Menopause Brain. Those interested in signing up for or learning more about OMpowerment Psychotherapy can visit OMpowermentPsych.com.

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

Wednesday 12/31

New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Rocky Point Park

Gather from 3–6:30 pm for food trucks, festive music, giveaways, and a family-friendly fireworks display at 6 pm at Rocky Point Park in Warwick. Learn more online

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New Year’s Eve at The Malted Barley

Ring in the New Year starting at 8 pm with music, trivia, prizes, a photo booth, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight at The Malted Barley, located in downtown Providence. Learn more online

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90s vs. Y2K New Year’s Eve Party at Bally’s Rhode Island Casino Resort

Choose your era and dress to impress for a black-tie-optional New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 7 pm with dinner stations, live entertainment, DJ dancing, a midnight countdown, and party favors at Bally’s Rhode Island Casino Resort. Learn more online

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Sarto in Red New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party

Celebrate late-night New Year’s Eve from 10 pm–1 am with a three-course Italian dinner, live burlesque performances, DJ dancing, and a midnight prosecco toast at Sarto Restaurant in Providence. Learn more online

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GPub’s Poppin’ Into 2026 New Year’s Eve Party

Party from 9 pm–2 am with a complimentary champagne toast, DJ dancing, late-night bites, raffles, and a midnight countdown at Providence G Pub. Learn more online

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Providence New Year’s Eve Celebration & Illuminate PVD Fireworks

Celebrate from 5–9 pm with live music, food trucks, heated tents, family-friendly activities, and a fireworks show at 8:30 pm during this free community event hosted by Providence Tourism Council at 195 District Park in Providence. Learn more online

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Naughty-Aughty NYE at Myrtle

Throw it back from 8 pm–1 am with DJ sets, burlesque, tarot, a talent show, and peak early-2000s chaos at Myrtle in East Providence. Learn more online

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New Year’s Eve Bash at Blithewold Mansion

Celebrate from 8:30 pm–1 am with gourmet bites, signature cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and a midnight champagne toast at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol. Learn more online

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Midnight in Paris New Year’s Eve at The Event Factory

Step into a Parisian-inspired celebration from 8 pm–2 am featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, complimentary cocktails, and three rooms of DJ entertainment at The Event Factory in Warick. Learn more online

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A Chanler New Year’s Eve: A Touch of Wicked

Step into a Wicked-inspired evening from 6 pm–1 am featuring a five-course dinner, bottomless sparkling wine, live jazz, DJ dancing, and a midnight toast at The Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport. Learn more online

Thursday 1/1

Pajama Brunch Party

Kick off the New Year from 8 am–4 pm with a cozy pajama-themed brunch and a chance to win a $200 gift card at Cafe Italia in Providence. Learn more online

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Annual Lobster Plunge

Dive into New Year’s Day fun from 12–5 pm, with the plunge at 1 pm, featuring live music, dock jumps, and a cannonball competition at The Lobster Bar in Newport. Learn more online

Friday 1/2

Patsy Cline – Memories of Patsy

Relive the golden age of American music from 7–9:30 pm with a nationally touring tribute concert celebrating Patsy Cline’s timeless hits at Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston. Learn more online

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2026 Vision Board Night

Dream, create, and set intentions for the year ahead during this low-pressure vision board workshop at Now or Never: Hobby Hub + Social Club in Providence, with guided prompts, collage materials, and cozy sips to help you manifest what’s next. Learn more online

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Sacred Sound Bath: Find Your 2026 Word of the Year

Immerse yourself from 7–8:15 pm in a guided sound bath featuring breathwork, crystal bowl frequencies, and meditation to help release the past year and gain clarity at Soul Sanctuary in Coventry. Learn more online

Saturday 1/3

Guided Meditation: Release & Renew

Reset from 5–6 pm with a calming, all-levels guided meditation focused on relaxation and renewal at Deep Breaths Salon and Holistic Self-Empowerment Center in Cranston. Learn more online

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Y2K Winter Wonderland with RI Girl’s Club & Pop-Up PVD

Shop, sip, and mingle from 12–4 pm with thrifting, a live DJ set, seasonal drinks, and photo ops at Cozy Archive HQ in East Providence. Learn more online

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Adult Skate Night: 90s R&B Edition

Lace up for an 18+ skate night set to classic 90s R&B with DJ song requests, optional laser tag, and rock climbing at United Skates of America in East Providence. Learn more online

Sunday 1/4

Tiverton Farmers Market

Shop local from 10 am–1:30 pm for fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and artisan finds at Tiverton Middle School. Learn more online

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Ground and Grow Wellness Mixer

Unwind from 2–5 pm with a grounding yin yoga session, wellness shots, holistic vendors, and a guest herbalist speaker at Jordan’s Jungle, surrounded by a lush plant-filled oasis. Learn more online

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New Year Vision Board Cozy Afternoon

Get comfty from 11 am–1 pm with tea, snacks, and creative goal-setting as you craft a vision board in a relaxed, cozy setting in Pawtucket. Learn more online

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New Year’s Day Mini Retreat

Take time from 2–5 pm for reflection, journaling, gentle yoga, and a restorative sound bath during this welcoming mini retreat at The Sacred Center in Portsmouth. Learn more online

Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!

Food Bites: Off-Menu Magic, Golden Tarts & a Stew That Warms the Soul

From Fox Point’s flakiest pastéis de nata to a soulful Syrian stew you didn’t know you needed, Food Bites is serving up stories that go beyond the plate. We’re talking secret menus at Al Forno, sweet beginnings at Silver Star Bakery, and a savory surprise at Aleppo Sweets. Read more online.

⭐ Ever wondered what it sounds like when a whole community reads Moby-Dick straight through? From January 2-4, the New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts its 30th annual Moby-Dick Marathon, a free weekend of readings, expert talks, and performances spread throughout the museum. The marathon launches on January 3 at noon when Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson delivers the iconic opening line, “Call me Ishmael.”

⭐ Ready to map out your weekends around kickoff times and matchdays? Rhode Island FC has released its 2026 schedule, featuring at least 34 matches from March through October, including regular season play, the Prinx Tires USL Cup, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The season opens at home on March 7 against Loudoun United FC, with fans able to snag single-game tickets now and bonus perks available with select multi-game plans.

⭐ Looking for a reason to bundle up and get outside this winter? Audubon Society of Rhode Island is offering a full slate of January programs, from owl prowls and bird walks to wildlife tracking, family-friendly nature outings, and even beer-paired learning events. With activities for all ages across Bristol, Smithfield, and locations statewide, these guided experiences make winter one of the most rewarding seasons to explore Rhode Island’s natural spaces.

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