Gather Together

The holidays are about home, whether it’s your immediate family, friends, or community, and as a proud and pro-local city, Providence is brimming with neighborhood celebrations and traditions.

December 2: Hope Street Holiday Stroll, featuring food trucks, live performers, and local vendors along Hope Street. 12-6pm

December 8, 15 & 22: New this year, Thayer Street will celebrate the holidays every Saturday afternoon before Christmas with ice carvers, restaurant tastings, Santa Claus, and more. 1-3pm

December 6 & 15: Lippitt House invites guests to stroll through the historic home decorated in period holiday style. Enjoy the decorations while cradling a glass of whiskey at their Scotch Party on December 6, 6-8pm. On December 15, have fun for the whole family during Christmas at Lippitt House, 10am-2pm. 199 Hope Street

December 21: Gather in George M. Cohan Square for an evening of carols, hot chocolate, and lots of Christmas spirit during Wickenden Wonderland. 6-8pm, Musician-led procession starts at The Point Tavern, 302 Wickenden Street

Date TBD: When the tree is up, Festa di Natale commences with a tree lighting, Panettone eating contest, and Santa visit. TBD, 2-5pm, DePasquale Square

Caroling Opps

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Or at least, that’s what Will Ferrell in Elf would say. Christmas caroling has been an age-old tradition that continues in Providence. Even if you can’t belt “All I Want for Christmas” like Mariah Carey or “Silver Bells” like Dean Martin, there’s still something special about a community Christmas sing-along.

The West Side Annual Caroling gathers over 200 friends and neighbors to spread cheer through song, dressed in your holiday best and cradling eggnog – both spiked and not. Loie Fuller’s, 1455 Westminster Street

Wickenden Wonderland begins with a procession led by live musicians from The Point Tavern to George M. Cohan Square, where the evening commences with caroling, hot chocolate, and a tree lighting. The Point Tavern, 4469, 309 Wickenden Street

For more information on where and when to celebrate the season in your corner of the city, contact your neighborhood association or check out your local libraries and community churches.