Feel the community spirit this holiday season in Newport! Explore our guide for all the events and activities. From hometown residents to holiday guests, our guide highlights the best of the season in Newport.
One of the must-see attractions this holiday season is the enchanting Holidays at The Newport Mansions, where historic estates are beautifully decorated for the festive period. Visitors can stroll through the opulent rooms adorned with seasonal decor. The Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination features dazzling lights and holiday displays that capture the essence of the season. And the Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a stunning array of decorated vessels gliding through the water. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Newport
- Holidays at The Newport Mansions
- Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade
- Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination (Bristol)
- Bristol Christmas Festival European Marketplace (Bristol)
- The Ultimate Christmas Festive-al 2024
- Coral Welsh Grand National (Chepstow)
- Luminate Wales (Port Talbot)
- Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum (Cardiff)
- Nos Galan Races (Mountain Ash)
- Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
See these and even more events listed below!
Newport Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at The Newport Mansions
What to Expect:
Grandly decorated Gilded Age mansions with extensive holiday decorations.
Description:
Explore the opulent Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, adorned with over 30 Christmas trees, hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths, and fresh floral arrangements. Each mansion features intricately decorated rooms and festive touches.
Where: Newport | More Info: Holidays at The Newport Mansions
Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination
What to Expect:
Live music and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Bristol's Tree Lighting and Grand Illumination is a festive event in downtown Bristol, featuring live music, entertainment, and the momentous lighting of the town Christmas tree.
Where: Bristol | More Info: Bristol's Tree Lighting + Grand Illumination
Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound spectacle with 500 LED orbs.
Description:
Christmas at Bute Park features a reimagined light trail with original audio compositions, dynamic choreography, and jaw-dropping illuminations across 15 distinct zones. The event includes a Christmas Village with local artisan traders, offering top-quality food, drinks, and festive music. It is designed to be inclusive for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly
What to Expect:
Ice rink and festive stalls in a historic town center.
Description:
Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly is an annual winter event featuring an ice rink, festive stalls, and live entertainment in the historic town center.
Where: Caerphilly | More Info: Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly
Luminate Wales
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and festive food options.
Description:
Explore a spectacular, illuminated trail at Margam Country Park, featuring stunning lighting installations and interactive elements set to music. Enjoy tasty treats, hot mulled wine, and marshmallows by the fire pit.
Where: Port Talbot | More Info: Luminate Wales
Newport Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bristol Christmas Festival European Marketplace
What to Expect:
Immersive European-style Christmas market with local vendors and community activities.
Description:
The Bristol Christmas Festival European Marketplace in Bristol, RI, features a two-day celebration with European-style Christmas Market stalls selling holiday gifts, crafts, and treats. Enjoy rustic huts, holiday wine, and entertainment on both days, including Santa visits and children's craft projects.
Where: Bristol | More Info: Bristol Christmas Festival European Marketplace
Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local Welsh produce and crafts.
Description:
Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair is a family-friendly event celebrating diverse local food and crafts. The event features artisan stalls exhibiting the best Welsh produce, along with a full program of entertainment to suit every taste.
Where: Portmeirion | More Info: Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
Newport Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Ultimate Christmas Festive-al 2024
What to Expect:
High-energy circus acts and live entertainment with street food.
Description:
The Ultimate Christmas Festive-al 2024 at ICC Wales features mesmerizing circus acts, mouthwatering street food, and high-energy live entertainment. A cast of colorful characters, including glamorous showgirls and incredible festival performers, will greet you on arrival. The evening will be filled with gravity-defying aerial artists, amazing acrobats, dazzling dancers, and circus-themed surprises.
Where: Newport | More Info: The Ultimate Christmas Festive-al 2024
Newport Other Holiday Activities
Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats competing for awards in various categories.
Description:
The Newport Illuminated Boat Parade features a variety of watercraft from Narragansett Bay, including leisure boats, commercial vessels, and fishing boats, all magnificently decorated and competing for awards in different categories.
Where: Newport | More Info: Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade
Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
What to Expect:
Historic mansion with extensive Christmas decorations and family activities.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Tredegar House & Gardens with twinkling lights, over 80 decorated trees, and a journey through 500 years of festive traditions.
Where: Newport | More Info: Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
What to Expect:
Brunch with Santa amidst panoramic lake views.
Description:
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake offers a delightful dining experience amidst stunning lake views, featuring seasonal specials and a cozy atmosphere perfect for family gatherings.
Where: Pontypool | More Info: Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive feasts and special activities.
Description:
Join Speedboat Santa for a unique holiday celebration featuring festive feasts and special activities at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
What to Expect:
Steam train rides with mince pie service.
Description:
Enjoy a delightful journey with mince pies on board, offering a warm and cozy experience amidst the scenic Welsh countryside.
Where: Welshpool | More Info: Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
Coral Welsh Grand National
What to Expect:
Historic horse racing event with a patriotic Welsh crowd.
Description:
The Coral Welsh Grand National is a prestigious horse racing event at Chepstow Racecourse, featuring high-quality jumps racing and a festive atmosphere.
Where: Chepstow | More Info: Coral Welsh Grand National
Nos Galan Races
What to Expect:
Celebrating Welsh runner Guto Nyth Brân with a historic and competitive road race.
Description:
The Nos Galan Road Races are an annual five-kilometer road running event held in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, attracting over 1,700 competitors and 10,000 spectators each year.
Where: Mountain Ash | More Info: Nos Galan Races
Mari Lwyd and New Year Walk In
What to Expect:
Ancient Welsh tradition with torch-carrying and verse-singing.
Description:
Mari Lwyd is an ancient Welsh folk tradition where participants carry a decorated horse's skull, singing verses and challenging occupants to open their doors. The event culminates in refreshments being served and drummers celebrating the New Year.
Where: Llanwrtyd Wells | More Info: Mari Lwyd and New Year Walk In
Ghost hunt, Gwrych Castle
What to Expect:
Investigate paranormal activity in a historic, abandoned castle.
Description:
Explore the haunted history of Gwrych Castle, a Grade I-listed fairy-tale castle with reported ghostly encounters, including the lady in white and the angry lady in red.
Where: Abergele | More Info: Ghost hunt, Gwrych Castle
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Risca (5 miles)
- Cwmbran (5 miles)
- Pontypool (8 miles)
- Caerphilly (9 miles)
- Cardiff (11 miles)
- Clevedon (12 miles)
- Portishead (12 miles)
- Penarth (13 miles)
- Pontypridd (15 miles)
- Nailsea (15 miles)
- Ebbw Vale (16 miles)
- Weston-super-Mare (17 miles)
- Barry (18 miles)
- Bristol (20 miles)
- Merthyr Tydfil (20 miles)
- Tonypandy (20 miles)
- Rhondda (20 miles)
- Aberdare (21 miles)
- Mangotsfield (22 miles)
- Kingswood (23 miles)
- Burnham-on-Sea (24 miles)
- Coity (24 miles)
- Yate (25 miles)
- Bridgend (26 miles)
- Chipping Sodbury (26 miles)
- Mendip (29 miles)
- Bath (31 miles)
- Bridgwater (32 miles)
- Hereford (35 miles)
- Neath (35 miles)
- Briton Ferry (35 miles)
- Stroud (36 miles)
- Gloucester (38 miles)
- Frome (38 miles)
- Chippenham (39 miles)
- Trowbridge (39 miles)
- Taunton (40 miles)
- Swansea (41 miles)
- Ammanford (45 miles)
- Cheltenham (45 miles)