It’s that time of year again! ‘Tis the season for family festivities and good cheer. Are you looking for family-friendly Rhode Island Christmas events? From crafts to Santa visits, lights to performances, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our top picks of holiday activities to do with kids in Rhode Island in 2025.
Pictures with Santa at Providence Place
Bring the family to Providence Place for a visit and photo session with Santa, as well as a 27-foot clipper train! Daily photo sessions starting November 14th through Christmas Eve 2025. Reserve your spot online and receive a free phone call from Santa. Want to bring your pet along for photos with Santa? You can! Reserve your spot for special pet nights on Mondays November 24, December 1, and Dec 8, 2025. They’ll also be hosting sensory-friendly Santa visits on Sunday Dec 7 from 9:00am-10:30am. Photo packages from $39.99-$59.99.
The details:
November 14 – December 24, 2025
One Providence Place, Providence, RI 02903
$39.99-$59.99
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI
Experience Rhode Island’s brightest holiday walk-through, Holiday Lights Spectacular, featuring more than 3.5 million twinkling lights! As you walk through the 40 acres of festive fun, you can stop and grab a hot chocolate (or adult beverage) or toast s’mores by the fire alongside shimmering holiday displays.
This year’s spectacular also offers special opportunities for extra magic: meet and greets with holiday characters on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm, visits with Santa on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm, and nightly storytime with Roger the Red Panda at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00pm.
The details:
November 28th, 2025 – January 4th, 2026
(closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day)
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI
5:00-9:30pm
Free
Santa’s Arrival at Downtown Westerly, RI
Come to Dixon Square at downtown Westerly, RI for Santa’s arrival on November 28th from 6-7pm. Santa Claus, Winter Lady, and a host of other holiday characters will arrive via fire truck, greet children, and distribute free coloring books, crayons and lollipops.
The details:
November 28th, 2025
Dixon Square, Downtown Westerly, RI
6-7pm
Free
November Kids Drop-Off Pottery Class, Cumberland
Looking for a kid-approved night out and a chance for a grown-up date night? Drop the kids off for a creative evening of holiday fun at PeaPoddery! Children will enjoy guided art activities including painting a plate/saucer combo and a canvas project. Plus, they can bring home their projects the same night, with no cleanup for you. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot early..
The details:
November 15th, 2025
5:00pm-8:00pm
2364 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI
$55 per child
Annual Tree Lighting + Toy Drive at Central Falls, RI
Visit Central Falls for their annual tree lighting ceremony and toy drive. Free refreshments, holiday carols, free pictures with Santa and a beautiful tree lighting ceremony in front of city hall will wrap up with a special fireworks display.
The details:
Friday December 6, 2025
6-8pm
Corner of Sullivan and Hopper Road, Central Falls, RI
Free
Grand Illumination and Parade at Bristol, RI
Visit Bristol, RI for their free Grand Illumination and Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025 beginning at 5:00pm, but be sure to arrive early for music from the local school choruses.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their grand entrance at 6pm to light the town Christmas tree and decorations with help from some friends.
The program will also be livestreamed on the Bristol Christmas Festival’s Facebook page and will be available throughout the holiday season.
The details:
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Sunday, December 7th
Santa’s Grand Arrival: December 6 5:00-6:30pm
(Rain date: Sunday, December 7, 2025)
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Hope Street, Bristol, RI
Free
Old-Fashioned Christmas at Hearthside House, Lincoln, RI
Celebrate the traditions of an Old-Fashioned Christmas at Hearthside House in Lincoln, RI. Each room and the exterior is breathtakingly decorated and ready to welcome visitors. Santa will wait for children to share their Christmas wishes and parents to snap those unforgettable moments. Festive musical entertainment and refreshments will also be provided. Experience the joy of what Christmas was actually like in the one-room schoolhouse with a performance by youth docents as they present songs, dance and poetry recitals in a special event held on the two Sunday afternoons.
The details:
December 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2025
12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
677 Great Road Lincoln, RI
General Admission is $12; $5 ages 10-17, Under 10 free
Pawtucket Winter Wonderland, Pawtucket, RI
Visit Rhode Island’s largest Christmas festival at Pawtucket’s 30 acre Christmas display located within Slater Park in Pawtucket, RI. The display includes:
- 650 decorated Christmas trees
- Over 100 light displays
- 20 Victorian style houses
- multiple 40′ LED mega trees
- A read-along “Night Before Christmas” display
…and much more!
On December 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th from 4-8PM roads will be closed to allow families to safely walk through the display to view all of the decorations, listen to Christmas music, take pictures and make memories.
During these festival nights, the following activities take place:
- Visit with Santa in the boathouse
- Ride the miniature train, Hayride or the Historical Looff Carousel
- Take a stroll among the 650 trees and 20 Victorian houses
- Talk with 18-foot talking snowman
- Be entertained every hour by a local dance studio, band, choral or professional entertainer
- Walk through “Night Before Christmas” displays
…and much more!
The details:
December 6, 7, 13, and 14th
4-8pm
Slater Memorial Park
Pawtucket, RI
Free admission and parking
Coventry’s Annual Holiday Celebration, Coventry, RI
Visit Coventry, RI for their annual holiday celebration. View lighted Christmas trees, sing carols, get your free photos taken with Santa Claus. Family-friendly crafts, games, and fun for all! This year’s celebration will also feature horse and buggy rides, a free gift-wrapping station, and food trucks!
The details:
Saturday, December 6, 2025
(Rain Date: Sunday December 7, 2025)
1:30pm—6:30pm
Town Hall Annex – 1675 Flat River Road Coventry, RI
Free
Elf The Musical at Stadium Theatre, Woonsocket, RI
If you’re ready to spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear, make sure to catch a performance of Elf the Musical. This festive screening of the modern holiday classic, Elf! Follow Buddy the Elf as he leaves the North Pole for New York City to find his family, spread Christmas cheer, and remind everyone of the magic of the season. A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud favorite for all ages.
The details:
November 21 and 22 at 7:30pm
November 22 and 23 at 2:00pm
Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre & Conservatory
28 Monument Square
Woonsocket, RI
Tickets: $29, $36, $41 (or free with a Stadium Theatre membership)
The holidays are here, and there are so many magical ways to celebrate Christmas with kids in Rhode Island. Movie showings, parades, Christmas decor, and of course visits with Santa abound. Enjoy family-friendly Rhode Island Christmas activities in 2025! Merry Christmas!
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