Newport Recreation has a packed schedule of holiday events and winter programming lined up at the Martin Recreation Center — better known as The Hut. The festivities begin Sunday, Dec. 14, when Santa Claus stops by from 10 a.m. to noon for a free, family-friendly visit. Kids can meet Santa and snap photos in a […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture
Five Salve Regina students land coveted Siemens internships after nationwide competition
Five Salve Regina University students have secured spots in the prestigious Siemens Financial Leadership Development Program, beating out thousands of applicants from across the country for summer 2026 internships. Juniors Ashtyn Bringardner, Anna Grace Hjerpe, Djeana Timas, Gabriel Victoria and Ben Wakefield will participate in the 12-week paid program running from May through August. The […]
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Omen hosting holiday toy and food drive at Newport Skatepark on Dec. 14
A major community event combining a toy and food drive, live music, and skateboarding will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Newport Skatepark on John H. Chaffee Blvd. Omen’s Holiday Toy & Food Drive and Bowl Bash runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to all ages. Organizers are […]
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Fueling a Female Movement: This dynamic nonprofit advocates for women, girls, and families
The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island was founded 25 years ago by the late Simone P. Joyaux, a globally respected fundraising mentor and social justice advocate. In 2000, the Rhode Island Foundation partnered with Joyaux to launch the organization with a clear mission: close the opportunity and equity gaps facing women and girls. Today, WFRI […]
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Navy Band Northeast to perform holiday concert in Portsmouth
Navy Band Northeast will perform a free holiday concert on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. at Pennfield School. The concert features Rhode Island Sound, the band’s popular music group comprised of a vocalist, horn and rhythm section. The ensemble is known for its Top 40 renditions as well as performances in the styles of […]
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newportFILM to screen Tribeca-winning documentary ‘Natchez’ at Rosecliff with raffle reception
newportFILM will host a screening of “Natchez,” winner of the 2025 Tribeca Festival Award for Best Documentary Feature, at Rosecliff on Thursday, Dec. 11. The evening combines documentary film, a post-screening panel discussion and the organization’s annual raffle reception, which includes a chance to win a New York City weekend getaway to see the Tony […]
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55th Annual Bowen’s Wharf tree lighting set for Saturday
The 55th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting returns this Saturday, Dec. 6, bringing twinkling lights, fragrant wintergreens, and a massive Christmas tree to the historic waterfront. Admission is free for the event, which features a full afternoon of live music, shopping, and dining, culminating in the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. Festivities begin […]
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What’s up this weekend in Newport County: Dec. 5-7
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events this weekend in and around Newport. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Live Music & Entertainment Friday, December 5 Busker’s Irish Pub: Live music at 8 p.m. Johnny’s Restaurant: Lainey Dionne at 7 p.m. Narragansett Cafe: Jury at 8 p.m. Newport Blues Cafe: […]
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Newport Marriott unveils 16-foot gingerbread lighthouse, one of the largest in New England
The Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa has unveiled what it says is Newport’s largest gingerbread house, featuring a 16-foot working lighthouse that ranks among the biggest gingerbread displays in New England. The holiday centerpiece, which includes a seven-foot keeper’s house alongside the towering lighthouse, took more than 100 hours to bake, build and decorate. The […]
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What’s up in Newport: Thursday, December 4
Here’s a look at what’s coming up on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in Newport. Things To Do All Day: Holidays at the Newport Mansions 1:30 p.m.: YANA Newport to host free expungement clinic at YANA Clubhouse 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.: Newport Nutcracker Ballet at Rosecliff 4 p.m.: A Rough Point Holiday at Rough Point […]
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Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
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Newport Art Museum announces 98th winter speaker series
The Newport Art Museum announced Wednesday that season subscriptions are now on sale for the 2026 winter speaker series, marking the 98th year of the beloved community tradition. The series kicks off Jan. 24 with Nick Benson, a third-generation master stone carver and owner of The John Stevens Shop. Benson will explore the tension between […]
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True North Theatre to perform ‘An Iliad’ at Jamestown Arts Center
True North Theatre Company will bring its production of “An Iliad” to Jamestown Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, offering a modern retelling of Homer’s ancient epic that connects the battles of Troy to present-day conflicts. The performance runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the arts center, 18 Valley St. Tickets are $15 and […]
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Newport Restaurant Group to host holiday events at Mooring, Boat House
Newport Restaurant Group will host two holiday events at its Rhode Island restaurants this month, including a toy drive in Tiverton and a breakfast with Santa in Newport. The Boat House in Tiverton will partner with the Tiverton Police Department for Operation: Blue Santa, the department’s annual holiday toy drive, on Thursday, Dec. 11, from […]
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Dervish to perform at JPT Film & Event Center in March
Irish traditional music group Dervish will perform at The JPT Film & Event Center on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. Spectacle Live is presenting the concert. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at JanePickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Spectacle Live members can access a presale beginning Thursday, Dec. 4, […]
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Santa set to tour Newport County neighborhoods with first responder escorts
Santa Claus is coming to town — and local firefighters, police and volunteers across Newport County will help make sure he gets there. Portsmouth, Jamestown, Newport, and Middletown are gearing up to escort Santa through area neighborhoods throughout December, bringing candy canes, holiday cheer, and a chance for children to catch a glimpse of the […]
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Irish museum to host ‘pop up consulate’ Wednesday
The Consul General of Ireland in Boston and her staff will hold a “pop up consulate” at the Museum of Newport Irish History’s Interpretive Center on Wednesday. Consul General Síghle FitzGerald (pronounced “Sheila”) and her team will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at 648 Thames St. for the open-house-style event. Members of the […]
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Rhode Island releases 2025 holiday ornament honoring nation’s first integrated regiment
A new commemorative holiday ornament honoring soldiers from the nation’s first integrated military regiment is now available from Rhode Island’s semiquincentennial commission. Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, who chairs the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission, announced Friday the release of the 2025 limited-edition ornament featuring the First Rhode Island Regiment. The ornament depicts six […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard to host wine dinner featuring Belcourt Mansion tales
Sakonnet Vineyard will pair five wines with a three-course meal and stories from one of Newport’s Gilded Age landmarks at a dinner Thursday evening. The Bubbles & Belcourt event begins at 5 p.m. and features dishes prepared by Chef Andrew Bonamassa of Bar & Board in Newport. David Bettencourt, general manager of Belcourt Mansion, will […]
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Tiverton library to screen 1927 silent film ‘It’ with live piano accompaniment
The Tiverton Public Library will host a screening of the 1927 silent film “It” starring Clara Bow on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m., featuring live musical accompaniment by pianist Richard Hughes. The free event is open to the public and will include movie snacks. “It” tells the story of Betty Lou, a shopgirl played […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard to kick off holiday season with Santa visit, tree lighting Sunday
Sakonnet Vineyard will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to New England’s oldest vineyard on Sunday as part of a holiday kickoff celebration. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. and includes complimentary photos with Santa, cookie decorating, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. A tree lighting will cap off the afternoon. Guests are encouraged to […]
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How the Plymouth Pilgrims took over Thanksgiving – and who history left behind
Thomas Tweed, University of Notre Dame Nine in 10 Americans gather around a table to share food on Thanksgiving. At this polarizing moment, anything that promises to bring Americans together warrants our attention. But as a historian of religion, I feel obliged to recount how popular interpretations of Thanksgiving also have pulled us apart. Communal […]
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What’s up this weekend in Newport County: Nov. 27-30
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events this Thanksgiving weekend in and around Newport. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Thursday, November 27 Things To Do 8:30 a.m.: Newport County YMCA 40th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Run at Newport YMCA 11 a.m.: Thanksgiving Day Meal at Seamen’s Church Institute […]
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Jamestown Arts Center hosts Holiday Arts Market Dec. 5-6
The Jamestown Arts Center will hold its ninth annual Holiday Arts Market next month, featuring work from more than 20 local artists and artisans. The market runs Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visitors can browse ceramics, prints, paintings, jewelry, […]