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Start 2026 With a Good Read 🥳
Ring in the new year with our newest issues, a spotlight on RI250 festivities, 2026’s top health trend, + more!
The calendar flipped, the confetti settled, and just like that, 2026 is officially here. There’s something about the first day of a new year that feels quietly powerful – full of fresh pages, low expectations, and just enough optimism to say yes to what’s next. Whether you’re easing into January with a coffee in hand or already plotting your next local adventure, consider this your gentle nudge to start the year curious, connected, and a little inspired. Welcome to 2026 Rhode Island, we’ve got plenty to explore together.
New Year, New Issues to Read
January sets the tone, and our annual Who to Watch feature does exactly that—spotlighting a fresh lineup of Rhode Island visionaries with big plans for 2026. In this month’s issues, you’ll find bold ideas, local ambition, and plenty of reasons to feel excited about what’s ahead. In Hey Rhody, we’re kicking off the U.S. Semiquincentennial with Rhode Island history and fun facts worth knowing. Providence Monthly takes readers on historic food crawls with serious flavor, while The Bay heads south to a Tiverton farmhouse rescue and Indigenous stories rooted in Exeter for So Rhode Island. Read the latest issues online now or pick up a copy at your favorite local retailer.
Rhode Island Turns 250 and Everyone’s Invited
Secretary of State Greg Amore is leading the charge for RI250, a statewide commemoration of the nation’s founding that’s all about inclusivity, education, and hometown pride. From classroom visits to a July 4 WaterFire extravaganza, this milestone year promises history lessons with heart, flags on full display, and plenty of reasons to feel united. Read more online.
Personalized Wellness Takes the Lead in 2026
If 2025 was about ditching calorie counts, 2026 is about asking smarter questions – like why your body reacts the way it does in the first place. From genetics and gut health to data-backed nutrition plans, personalized wellness is taking hold in Rhode Island as local experts help residents trade one-size-fits-all advice for care that actually fits real life. Read more online.
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 1/2 | The Bit Players at Firehouse Theater Catch a high-energy night of fast-paced improvisational comedy from 8–9 p.m. at Firehouse Theater in Newport, where The Bit Players deliver audience-driven laughs, musical moments, and games inspired by Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Learn more online ⸻ Friday Night House Party Laugh your way through an energetic night of unscripted comedy when Kismet Improv’s house teams take the stage at 8 pm at Kismet Improv in Pawtucket, with doors opening at 7:30 pm and an optional improv jam following the show. Learn more online ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 | Full Moon Sound Bath Unwind with a guided full moon sound bath from 7–8 pm at the Ocean & Harvest Spa at Ocean House in Watch Hill, featuring meditative sound therapy in a private oceanfront lounge with spa access available earlier in the evening.. Learn more online ⸻ Moon Hikes at Roger Williams Park Explore the moonlit trails of Roger Williams Park on a guided evening hike from 6–7 pm, beginning at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, with insights into the night sky and the park’s history. Learn more online ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 | Celebrate the Epiphany Event Celebrate the Epiphany with an all-ages afternoon of crafts, storytelling, and music from 1–3 pm at Roots Heaven Farm in Smithfield, featuring a live reading of La Befana, hands-on activities for kids and adults, and a festive visit from La Befana herself. Learn more online ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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 ⸻ 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!
This Fish Market Is Changing the Way Rhode Islanders Buy Seafood
At Fearless Fish Market on Hope Street, owner Stu Meltzer is making waves with a mission: to help customers feel confident buying, cooking, and eating high-quality, local seafood. From labeling the name of the fisherman to teaching the Japanese ikejime method of humane harvesting, this is fishmongering with heart, knowledge—and zero fear. Read more online.
⭐ Who did it in the drawing room with a wrench? The classic whodunit Clue hits the PPAC stage January 16–18 with all the suspense, slapstick, and signature characters you know and love. Catch this high-energy adaptation at the Encore Series and prepare to laugh (and guess) your way through every twist and turn.
⭐ Looking for a holiday stroll that feels straight out of a storybook? Kinney Azalea Garden’s Festival of Trees transforms its trails into a whimsical winter wonderland, complete with nature-themed ornaments, fairies, and more magical details than you can spot in one visit. With caroling, kids’ activities, and plenty of warm cocoa, it’s the perfect mix of peaceful escape and family-friendly cheer.