IYRS School of Technology & Trades invites the local community, alumni, supporters, families, and friends to its annual Holly Jolly Weekend; a festive celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community taking place on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 on the IYRS waterfront campus in Newport. (IYRS)

IYRS School of Technology & Trades is accepting applications from artisans and small businesses for its Artisan Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 5, part of the school’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend on its Thames Street waterfront campus.

The market is open to makers selling handmade goods, fine art, jewelry, home décor, specialty food products and other original work. The school says vendor spaces are limited and is encouraging early applications.

The weekend opens Friday, Dec. 4, with the IYRS Community Holiday Party in Restoration Hall, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters.

“Holly Jolly Weekend is one of our favorite traditions at IYRS because as one of Newport’s anchor institutions, community and connectivity is very important to us,” said President Kern Maass.

Details and vendor registration are at iyrs.edu/events/hollyjolly.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...