5 Newport Holiday Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Monday, December 13, 2010
There’s no place quite like the City-by-the-Sea during the holidays, and there’s a ton of yuletide fun to be had leading up to Christmas. Here are five not-to-miss aspects of a Newport holiday.
Ice Skating by the Sea
To the delight of onlookers who had gathered for the fanfare, the Sovereign Bank Skating Center opened on Friday evening with an annual tree lighting ceremony, visit from Santa, carolers filling the air with holiday songs and cocoa warming the hearts and bellies of young and old. Free parking and regular discounts make the experience easily accessible and affordable, and with designated nights, like Free Skate Night on Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 for 1 on Tuesdays for Stop & Shop card holders, Amica Family Fun Night on Thursdays and Adult Nights on Fridays, there’s something for everyone.
St. George's Christmas Pageant
With a 99-year tradition, St. George’s School presents its annual Medieval Christmas Pageant on Tuesday, December 14, a service that, the school says, “traces it origins back to Roman times when the December celebrations of Saturnalia would provide a welcome respite from the rigors of winter.” The festive ceremony heralds the Incarnation with Christmas hymns and a procession of Mary and Joseph with the Baby Jesus, shepherds, kings and angels surrounded by the awe-inspiring environs of St. George’s School Chapel. The event is at 7:30pm and is free and open to the public. Call St. George’s Music Department at 847-7565 for information.
A Victorian Christmas Feast
Experience singing, dancing, and plenty of 19th century Christmas cheer at the classic Victorian Christmas Feast at Newport Art Museum on Friday, December 17 at 7pm presented by the Marley Bridges Theatre Company. A four-course dinner by Russell Morin Catering (including hors d'oeuvres, salad, traditional holiday turkey dinner and dessert) is served while the entertainment is reminiscent of an old fashioned holiday. Contact Madeline Harris at 848-8200 x101 for group rates or more information.
Gilded Age Celebration
The newly renovated Stanford White Casino Theatre will be presenting an1890’s living history benefit show, “Glitter & Gold, A Gilded Age Holiday Concert,” on Saturday, December 18 at 8pm. The performance will feature excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, Gounod’s Faust, Verdi’s La Traviata, Bizet’s Carmen and more. Gilded Age society page favorites Ward McAllister and John Jacob Astor IV will make special appearances as well! $30 general admission and proceeds benefit Salve Regina’s Theatre Arts Program. For tickets go here or call 341-2250.
Outdoor Christmas Party
In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the bucolic Norman Bird Sanctuary, the preserve presents “Holly Days” on Saturday, December 18 from 11am-6pm. The holiday fun includes story time by the fire, face painting, children’s crafts, hot cocoa and cider, cookie decorating, live animal presentations, interpretive hikes, roasting marshmallows by the fire, a gingerbread competition, a visit from Santa, and much more. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Members: $5 adults, $3 children 3-12; Non-members: $7 adults, $5 children 3-12. Tickets purchased the day of the event will be an additional $2. For additional information and a complete schedule of the day’s activities, please visit www.normanbirdsanctuary.org or call 846-2577.
Photo, top: Skate Newport
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