Where o’ where has the year gone? While curating this list of the best things that will be happening in November in and around Newport, RI it hit us hard that Christmas is just around the corner!
Actually, many Christmas and holiday activities get underway at some point during November! We hope this list will help you make the most of this month, enjoy every minute of it because before you know it January, February and snow will be here!
1 – Newport County YMCA Holiday Wine & Craft Beer Tasting Event: Nov. 3
Bellevue Wine & Spirts presents the 8th Annual Newport County YMCA Holiday Wine & Craft Beer Tasting Event! All proceeds from the event benefit the YMCA’s Community Support Campaign. The Community Support Campaign provides funds used for summer camp, youth activities, membership and programs that focus on healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. More Info
2 – Newport Restaurant Week: Nov. 4 – 13
Savor three-course prix-fixe lunches for $16 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $35 at more than 50 restaurants during Newport Restaurant Week. Visit DiscoverNewportRestaurantWeek.org for participating restaurants and menus.
3- Race for Open Space 5k Run & Walk: Nov. 5
Run or walk our 5k loop course along the scenic Sakonnet Greenway Trail and Wapping Road as a team, family, or individual. Walkers are welcome to bring strollers, leashed dogs. More Info
4 – St. Joseph’s Harvest Fair: Nov. 5
This annual fundraiser for St.Joseph’s Church always guarantees fun,food and prizes for the whole family. Free admission and free parking. Featured activities and tables include a major raffle with cash prizes, a quilt raffle, silent auction, white elephant sale, theme baskets table, handcrafted items, Christmas table, boutique table,a 50/50 raffle, Spanish table, plants table and children’s activities. More Info
5 – 6th Annual Chocolate Brunch: Nov. 6
Chocolate Brunch returns to Hotel Viking on Sunday, November 6th with some fun developments in the 6th annual brunch series. This year’s event will feature lots of chocolate temptations, of course, as well as traditional brunch eggs and Sunday dinner entrees done in exceptional coco-culinary fashion. Music will be provided by Abbey Rhode. More Info
6 – Art & Design Film Festival: Nov. 10 – 13
The Providence Center for Media Culture presents The Art + Design Film Festival at The JPT & Newport Art Museum. This festival was founded in Providence in 2015 and expands to Newport in the fall of 2016
Three films to be screened at the JPT: Thursday November 10th 8:00pm The Happy Film, Saturday November 12th 2:00pm – Harry Benson: Shoot First & Sunday November 13th – 2:00pm Harold and Lillian. Two films at Newport Art Museum – Thursday November 10th 6:00 pm Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun- A Touch of Grace & Friday November 11th 6:30pm Heirnonumous Bosch – Touched by the Devil.
7 – Newport Seal Tours Open For The Season: Nov. 11
Embark on a one hour tour aboard one of our education vessels as we cruise through historic Newport Harbor and take in 360 degree views of seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and the Newport Bridge. More Info & Tickets
8 – 17th Annual Harvest Festival: Nov. 12
Harvest Festival is held to celebrate the completion of the annual grape harvest. General Admission is $3 per person. In addition guests are welcome to taste at $12, buy wine by the glass $7-$9 or simply enjoy the day’s activities. Greenvale will host live music by Dick Lupino and friends. In addition, the celebration will include tractor rides and walking tours along with tastings of Greenvale Vineyards award winning, estate grown wines! The event runs from 1:00pm 4:00pm. More Info
9 – SVF Lecture Series – “Arthur Curtiss James and Swiss Village”: Nov. 17
An independent historical researcher, writer and lecturer for over 25 years, Newport native Brian Stinson is truly an expert on Newport history. Although many have anecdotal stories and tidbits of information about the former James estate, most know very little about Harriet or Arthur Curtiss James. Brian will join us to highlight the personal lives of these well-known philanthropists, including details of their many estates, yachts, charities, foundations, family and friends etc., and provide insight to this extraordinary couple and the times in which they lived. This event is free to the public and held at SVF Foundation, 152 Harrison Avenue, Newport, RI.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. Please contact Kate Rowles at kate@svffoundation.org or (401) 848-7229 to register. More Info
10 – Salve Regina’s Extensions Dance Company: Nov. 17 – 19
Salve Regina University’s Extensions Dance Company, directed by Assistant Professor Lindsay Guarino with the assistance of Cayley Christoforou, ’15, will be performing at the Casino Theatre from November 17th-19th, 2016. The program will include a range of dynamic and athletic contemporary choreography from invited guest artists, faculty, notable alumni and current students. The dance program’s junior company, Extensions II, will also present a new work in the concert by Island Moving Company’s Lauren Difede. More Info
11 – Christmas at Newport Mansions Opens: Nov. 19
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to make holiday memories with your family by visiting The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House this holiday season. More Info
12 – Santa Hustle 5k & Half Marathon: Nov. 20
Be a part of one of the largest growing race series as thousands of Santas will hit the streets of Newport, RI at the FIRST EVER Santa Hustle Rhode Island 5k & Half Marathon on Sunday, November 20, 2016. More Info
13 – The 31st Annual Pie Run: Nov. 24
This annual event put on by the YMCA is a certified and generally flat course. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the race that will be donated to a local food bank. More Info
14 – Bowen’s Wharf Block Party & Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade: Nov. 25
City of Newport lights up the harbor with the Illuminated Boat Parade. Caribbean Christmas and Holiday tunes on the steel pan with Panoramic View will be live at the North Pole. Watch the parade of lights from Bowen’s Wharf while boats compete for best decorated. All our locally-owned shops and restaurants will be open — many with special offers to make shopping for your loved ones, and yourself, a joy. The Newport Illuminated Boat Parade kicks off the holiday season with boats decorated with festive holiday decor and lights. The boats motor through the harbor and compete for best decorated in various categories. The parade begins at 6:15pm and can be viewed from various spots around the harbor.
15 – A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff: Nov. 25 – 29, 29 – Dec. 2.
Island Moving Co. invites you to join them for their wonderful holiday ballet A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff. Follow their young protagonist throughout the mansion as she celebrates the holiday season with her family, battles with the Mouse King, dances with the Snow Queen and travels with her beloved Nutcracker to the magical Land of Sweets. More Information & Tickets
16 – Holiday at the Hotel Viking: Nov. 27
Artisans by the Bay presents their highly anticipated annual show, SUNDAY November 27th 2016 from 10AM-4PM at the lovely historic Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island (Bellevue Avenue). Enjoy perusing a premiere selection of handcrafted gifts offered by 40+ talented Artisans, all from here in New England. Their wares will include, but will not be limited to: Soy candles, nautical & seashell art, baskets, weaving, photography, soaps, pottery, glass, quilts, fabric art, fine jewelry, wood craft, honey products, wreaths, holiday ornaments, jams/jellies and more. This is a shopping experience not to be missed! FREE Admission. More Info