newport christmas home tour

Christmas at the Mansions

About This Tour

Come away with us by tour bus to dazzling Newport and experience the wonder of Christmas in total splendor! On this magical outing you will tour Newport’s two most celebrated mansions, Marble House and Breakers, both lavishly decorated for Christmas. In addition to the stunning beauty you will see in these homes, you will learn the intriguing story of the family who built these grand estates at the height of the American Gilded Age. In the middle of the day you will have free time for lunch and Christmas shopping in old town Newport. As the sun sets, the grounds of Breakers will become a Christmas wonderland as holiday music fills the air, and its landscape is awash in hundreds of thousands of lights. There is nothing like Christmas at the Mansions!

Tour Highlights

Brick Market Place for lunch and Christmas shopping

Marble House

The Breakers

What's Included

admission to all mansions

At a Glance

Available december, 10:30am - 6:00pm, tour reviews, more rhode island experiences.

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The Tour includes 8 distinct homes scattered around the Historic District, each with a unique character sure to delight visitors.

After picking up tickets, visitors may walk the neighborhood and through each of the homes, which reflect Queen Anne and Italianate architecture styles from the 1890’s through 1910’s.

Interior features include original staircases, fireplace mantles, and woodwork. All homes have been selected for their distinctive interiors and exteriors and historic design plus the residences will be decorated in their best holiday finery.

Besides holiday decor, visitors will see newly renovated kitchens, sitting rooms, dining rooms, and entranceways. There is also one home still under renovation, displaying its “bones” for all to see.

Tour hours each day December 3-4 will be a little later than in past years, with homes open from 1 p.m.–7 p.m. This timing allows visitors to the Historic District to experience some new touches: Evening hours in the neighborhood and some wonderful additions to the Tour, stained glass window lighting event, and luminaries throughout the neighborhood.

There will be rest stops with bathrooms and hospitality stops along the tour route.

Tour tickets are $20, and Tea sittings are a separate cost.

Proceeds from the tour will be donated to local charities.

Purchase tickets at https://eastrow.org/victorian-christmas-tour or on the days of the event at Movement Church at 415 E. 8th St. Newport.

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Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Experience the magic of Christmas at the Newport Mansions with festive tours of The Elms, The Marble House, and The Breakers.

By Amy Traverso

Dec 01 2021

The grand poinsettia tree in The Great Hall at The Breakers.

There’s much to be said for a cozy country Christmas, for simple pleasures and silent nights. But on a recent gray day, I was craving a concentrated dose of over-the-top holiday wonder. I headed down to Newport to take a tour of three of its most famous mansions: The Elms , The Marble House , and The Breakers , which are open and decorated for the holidays from late November through early January, making them a perfect destination for the entire holiday season. I saw jaw-dropping settings that glimmered and sparkled and learned about the people who built these monuments of wealth. So before the holidays are over, come join me on a tour of a Gilded Age Christmas.

The Magic of Christmas at the Newport Mansions

I began my visit at The Elms, which was built as a summer retreat for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind and his wife, Herminie and completed in 1901. Designed by architect Horace Trumbauer to resemble the French chateau d’Asnieres, the 60,000-square-foot house remained in the family until 1961. The Preservation Society of Newport County has owned the house and opened it to the public since 1962.

Like the rest of the houses on the tour, The Elms was never actually used at Christmastime. The Berwinds were based in New York and would have celebrated Christmas there or elsewhere on their travels. But Jim Donahue, horticulturist for the Preservation Society, dresses the mansions up like giant jewel boxes, not sticking to strict period authenticity, but letting the rooms inspire color schemes and motifs. Over five weeks leading up to the holiday season, Donahue and his team decorate 40 rooms in three houses with fresh flowers, (artificial) trees, garlands, even real gingerbread houses (more on that later). “We don’t follow any period style, we follow our fancy,” he laughs. But he does look at historic photographs and existing collections for inspiration. In fact, the Elms’s library displays turn-of-the-century toys that were donated by the Berwind family.

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One of the challenges of Donahue’s job is creating decorations that stand out against the mansions’ ornate interiors. “You have to compete with the existing decorations,” he says. “In order to make an impact, you have to use a lot. We don’t remove anything from the rooms during the holidays. We leave it all and have to work around it.

Every room in each house has at least a holiday mantelpiece arrangement that’s coordinated to match the color scheme or echo some architectural element or some facet of the personality of the person who once lived there.

The Marble House

We moved on to The Marble House, which was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt (William was the brother of Cornelius, who built The Breakers nearby) and ushered in the era of opulent palaces and grand society galas. Prior to this, Newport had been a quieter summer colony where wealthy families built more modest wood cottages. The Vanderbilts divorced in 1895, but because the estate had been a gift from Mr. Vanderbilt to his wife Alva for her 39th birthday, she kept it.

The Marble House is modeled after the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s private pleasure palace on the grounds of Versailles. It has 50 rooms and cost $11 million dollars to build, of which $7 million was spent on the 500,000 cubic feet of marble that give the mansion its name. It was here that Alva invited Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough to court her daughter, Consuelo. The two were married, against Consuelo’s wishes, in 1895. But this marriage of wealthy American heiress to titled but cash-poor British noble, became a common arrangement during the Gilded Age (and was depicted in the popular PBS series Downton Abbey ).

Alva called The Marble House her “temple to the arts” in America. To that end, she had architect Richard Morris Hunt design a room around a collection of more than 300 Medieval and Renaissance art objects that she collected in Europe. Much of that collection is now on display at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL, but the remaining pieces and stained glass windows inspired the massive tree in this room.

In her later years, Alva repented of Consuel’s forced marriage and became an ardent supporter of women’s rights, hosting suffrage rallies on the grounds of The Marble House. When Alva died in 1933, at age 80, her funeral was conducted entirely by women.

The Breakers

The last mansion on our tour is the grandest: The Breakers was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who made his fortune in shipping and railroads. Like his brother, William, Cornelius hired Richard Morris Hunt to design his estate, but his was grander, with 70 rooms and a style inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture.

To get a sense of the wealth behind these palaces, consider this: The panels pictured here in the Gothic Room were lined entirely in platinum. They have luster unlike anything you’ve seen before.

In order to speed construction of The Breakers, the Music and Morning rooms were designed and built by Richard Bouwens Van der Boyen at his salon in Paris, then, dismantled and then shipped back to Newport. This allowed the most ornate rooms to be constructed simultaneously while Hunt prepared the frame of the house on-site.

One of the most charming stops on The Breakers tour is in the kitchen, where the Preservation Society displays gingerbread replicas of the mansions made by local pastry chefs, but the highlight of The Breakers is the massive 15-foot tree constructed of 150 live poinsettias. The plants must be watered weekly and replaced three times during the six-week holiday season.

Curious about who supplies all these fresh flowers, I asked my guide, Andrea Carneiro, to show me the Society’s greenhouses, and was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour. Inside, we found hundreds of poinsettias and grand floral arrangements waiting to be moved up to the houses. We also met Jeffrey Curtis, director of gardens and grounds, who manages not only the holiday decorations, but the expansive lawns and elaborate gardens at each of the mansions.

The society hosts frequent events , including a Holiday Dinner Dance, meaning Newport will be merry and bright for many days to come.

Have you ever experienced Christmas at the Newport Mansions?

The Newport Mansions and The Preservation Society of Newport County . 401-847-1000;  newportmansions.org

SEE MORE: Best Christmas Celebrations in New England Best Historic Christmas Celebrations in New England Best of Newport, Rhode Island | Editors’ Choice Awards

Amy Traverso

Food Editor Amy Traverso oversees the Yankee Magazine Food department and contributes to NewEngland.com. Amy's book, The Apple Lover's Cookbook (W.W. Norton), won an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) cookbook award for the category American.

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Newport East Row Victorian Christmas Tour and Tea returns

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Home Tour: Lovingly restored Newport Victorian part of East Row Christmas Tour

NEWPORT, Ky. -- It took Jim Price nearly three decades to get his dream house. Even then, it took hard work to make the dream a reality, including tracking down the home's stained-glass windows through four dealers to bring them back to their original places.

The home is one of seven (plus three "points of interest") you can visit during the East Row Victorian Christmas Tour Saturday and Sunday. The tour, which lets attendees peek inside homes in Newport's East Row Historic District while they're all decked out for the holidays, is in its 24th year.

Price's Queen Anne Victorian dates to 1889. It was built for Thomas McIlvain, partner in the McIlvain & Spiegel Boiler & Tank Co. of Cincinnati.

Price saw the home for the first time nearly 100 years later. Even back then, when he was still in college, he knew he wanted it.

"Something about it called out to me," the general contractor and project manager said. "It needed work. I'm a craftsperson, and I really wanted to fix it."

He kept in touch with the homeowners, even during the 20-odd years he lived in California. The owners contacted him and said they were ready to sell in 2015.

"It took me 28 years to get it," he said.

The house had withered in the meantime. Price described returning to discover walls and roof pockmarked with holes, windows decorated with ragged lace, missing bricks and brackets on the striking turret, leaning columns and a Dutch gable ready to buckle into the street. In some places, paint had been worn down to bare wood.

And there were the missing windows. Of the home's 11 stained-glass windows, the four Price considers the best were gone.

"I tracked them through four dealers to Portland, Oregon," he said. "I actually bought them before I bought the house.

"It didn't even cross my mind that I wasn't going to do it," he added.

Today, all four have been repaired and reinstalled in their rightful spots, and Price earned an Excellence in Preservation award from Preservation Kentucky for his efforts. Two windows show the home's first residents: One depicts the original lady of the house, Ann McIlvain; another, her daughter, Claire, who was 17 when the house was built. (Look closely and you'll notice that they're wearing the same headscarf in the glass portrayals.)

That was just the beginning of the work, though. The signs of neglect Price mentioned are long gone, and the roof no longer leaks when it rains. A visitor would also never guess the home's third floor was closed off, had holes to the outside and had suffered heavy damage. Today, that space includes a beautiful, light-filled guest "apartment" and a large studio where Price makes ribbon-winning quilts.

At one time, the entire house was broken into apartments. Price said it became a boardinghouse as early as 1914 and was later divided into seven apartments. Although it was converted back to a single-family home in the late 1970s, Price still had to work to get it back to its original state. That included replacing some of the ornate moldings and banister sections that had been lost when it was divided.

Luckily, however, most of the home was still intact.

"In spite of it being cut into apartments, it wasn't damaged," he said. "It's probably 97 percent, 98 percent original and still here."

That's fortunate considering what is there.

"It's a very interesting house," he said. "The level of detail that they went to is incredible."

Beyond the intricate, sunburst-patterned moldings and stained glass, there are seven fireplaces with Kensington tiles made in Newport and detailed brass hinges and hardware on the doors. Different woods adorn opposite sides of the pocket doors to coordinate with the rooms they divide. Price figured out why some of those doors were stuck -- their keyholes were full of decades-old mercury dimes and century-old Indian head pennies, which he imagines children dropped inside long ago.

Another remarkable discovery was missing stained-glass mosaic for the home's facade. Price was shocked to find it pinned up under the studs inside the roof, where it had apparently been since the house was built in 1889.

"It was just staged there, just waiting," he said. "I almost went over the scaffolding backwards."

Beyond the restoration work, Price has accented the home based on his love of antique furniture and art. He bought the ornate sideboard that has been with the home through two previous owners and paired it with a mahogany table that belonged to Robert Oppenheimer. (Price bought it at auction in California.)

Throughout the home are Price's many pieces of Rookwood Pottery. He bought the first one off the hood of a car at a flea market when he was 16.

Though he's done a lot in the brief time he's owned the home, Price still has more that he wants to do. He has drawings ready for his next big project: Renovating the kitchen. It won't be an easy task, considering the room has six doors and two windows to factor into the design.

Price realizes now that much of his desire to buy the home stemmed from his desire to restore it to its former glory, but living there has its perks, too.

"It's a big house and it's stately, but it's also very comfortable," he said. "You can come in and put your feet up and relax."

If you go What: East Row Victorian Christmas Tour Where: Start at Movement Church, 415 E. Eighth St. in Newport When:  Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2 Tickets: $16 in advance; $18 day of tour. Children under 12 are free with an adult.

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4 Best Mansions To Visit During Christmas In Newport, Rhode Island

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Christmas is a wonderful time of year when magical seasonal decorations add joy to our everyday life. Over-the-top, ornate Christmas decorations are key to ringing in the holiday season at 4 Newport mansions. Beginning November 20, you can stroll through gorgeous, expertly decorated rooms at three of Newport, RI’s wealthiest “summer cottages.” The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms. Additionally, nearby Blithewold offers a garden viewing beginning November 26th. A visit to the Newport mansions when they are dressed to impress in their finest show-stopping seasonal decor is a wonderful way to bring on the Christmas wonderment.

Decking the halls takes on an entirely new meaning when you are gilding and frosting miles of mantels, dozens of Christmas trees, and acres of gardens. If you have never visited the mansions during the holidays, now is the time. You will definitely find a decor that can be scaled down and applied in your own castle.

The Newport Mansions

Holidays at the Newport Mansions is a wonderful time to explore the life and style of the rich and famous. At Christmas, the rooms sparkle with glittering objects that adorn every room visitors enter. Under the direction of Jim Donahue, Curator of Historic Landscapes & Horticulture for The Preservation Society of Newport County, each room receives a thoroughly planned, room specific, seasonal trapping. A Christmas tree, adorned with room-inspired bobbles, graces every room on the tour. The properties will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Preservation Society of Newport County manages the collection of Newport mansions, ensuring they are preserved for future generations to experience.

Pro Tip: download the Newport mansions tour app before you arrive. It is easily identified with a dark green and white pineapple icon. Explore the app and tours before you arrive. It will impart a sense of what the mansions are all about and how their families influenced Newport society and the world. The app not only takes you room by room through The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms, it also adds tidbits of historic information. Armed with a thorough background, your in-person visit will be sensational as you can sit back and take in all the opulence framed with a rich understanding of the houses you tour.

1. The Breakers

The largest and most prestigious of all the Newport mansions is The Breakers , a Gilded Age château from 1895, built for the Cornelius Vanderbilt family. The great hall with its massive archways, soaring ceilings, and rich draperies is the perfect setting for the mansion’s traditional 15-foot poinsettia tree. As the focal point in the great hall, the poinsettia tree sets the opulent tone for the rest of the festive decor.

Every room on the mansion tour is decorated with gorgeous ornaments, lights, wreaths, and boughs. Every free nook is embellished with gorgeous seasonal arrangements. Many of the arrangements, mantel swags, and wreaths are constructed with plants and flowers grown in the mansion’s greenhouse.

Twin Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the dining room set the stage for a spectacular glittery show-stopping culinary experience. Gold leaf gleams with reflected light as you discover unique decorations that enhance the room’s architectural beauty.

The morning room dazzles with original platinum panels that offer a reflective shine that only serves to enhance the room’s beauty. Imagine enjoying a sumptuous breakfast while immersed in the festive decor.

Be sure to visit Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom, it will give you a peek into the day-to-day life of the lord of the manor. Decorated with toy trains and top hats, reflective of Vanderbilt’s railroad empire and love of entertaining, you can envision the luxurious lifestyle of the mansion’s owners.

Sparkling Lights At The Breakers: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland Returns! 

After its spectacular debut in 2020, the festive Sparkling Lights at The Breakers is back. Twice the size of last year, the dazzling evening event begins November 20, 2021, and runs through January 9, 2022. The light show delights guests as they traverse the serpentine paths. The display covers approximately half of The Breakers’ 13 acres, affording guests gorgeous views. Each turn is illuminated with surprising tableaus, enchanting characters, musical interludes, and beautiful lighting displays.

As you approach the mansion, the lit globes along the drive and the exterior decorations bring an anticipatory smile and an expectation of wonderment. You will be enchanted.

A special ticket, on sale beginning October 1, is required to enjoy the sparkling lights at The Breakers. It includes an interior house tour. The outdoor pathways are accessible and the interior is partially accessible, with an elevator available to view the second floor.

In addition to the lights, The Breakers is open for house tours Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Note: Sparkling lights at The Breakers will be closed Thanksgiving Day; Saturday, December 18; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

2. Marble House

As you would expect, the Marble House is a spectacular ode to the gleaming marble that covers every surface of the foyer. Completed in 1892 for William K. and Alva Vanderbilt, brother to Cornelius, the Marble House is the epitome of opulence and excess.

The library, with its warm wood paneling and tufted furnishings, is in complete contrast to the cold marble of the main hallway. The rooms off the foyer and hall area soften in feel as you step from hard, sparse surfaces into warm and opulent rooms. The juxtaposition is striking and sets the stage for a variety of wonderful seasonal decor opportunities.

The scale of the Christmas decorations in the grand hall takes the room from cold and imposing to warm and inviting. Poinsettias soften the hard edges while Christmas trees and vignettes set the stage for a trip through an enchanting Christmas wonderland.

As you climb the spectacular marble staircase to the second floor, you are immersed in the wonder of the season. Allow the decorations to envelop you in the wonder of the shiny baubles reflecting off the polished marble and highlighted by the glittering lights.

On December 18, Marble House will be open for a holiday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mansion is transformed into a seasonal wonderland where visitors feel like guests at a swanky Newport holiday party.

3. The Elms

Rich marble columns and gleaming polished floors anchored by framed artwork lining the walls are the stand-out entryway features at The Elms . The marble framed grand staircase and massive marble columns set a tone for the Gilded Age mansion the minute you enter. Built as a summer retreat for Edward Julius Berwind in 1901, The Elms hosted many elaborate parties under the direction of Berwind’s wife, Herminie.

If it is possible to imagine, the opulent and somewhat austere decor takes on a warm and cozy feel when draped in Christmas hues. The elaborately decorated Christmas trees stand out and compliment the glittery decor. The solarium decorated with rich greens, ornate statues, and housing its magnificent fountain offers the perfect backdrop for a Christmas extravaganza.

On December 18, The Elms will be open for a holiday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mansion takes on a different look and feel during an evening visit. The lights glint brightly against the evening shadows, affording guests a warm and intimate experience.

The Elms Servant Life Tour is a peek into the hectic and on-demand life of the “downstairs” residents at the Newport mansions. The immense staff required to keep these massive homes running smoothly is astonishing. Many mansions required several dozen to keep the home, kitchen, and gardens running smoothly.

4. Blithewold Mansion

In neighboring Bristol, the Blithewold is a lovely experience at the country estate of Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle. The spectacular 33-acre grounds are home to a large collection of unusual plants, specimen trees, ponds, a greenhouse, and other beautiful garden features.

This year the Christmas festivities will enchant guests with the Night Lights – An Illuminating Experience showcases the beautiful gardens at the Blithewold. Running from Friday, November 26, 2021, to Friday, January 7, 2022, visitors can enjoy the beautifully lit pathways and gardens from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

General operating hours, when Blithewold Mansion and Gardens are open to guests, begin June 1 through October 17. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the garden additionally open until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Holidays are special times throughout the world:

• The Best Christmas Light Displays To Enjoy Around The World
• Why You Should Visit York, England During Christmas
• Christmas Traditions From 17 Countries Around The World

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Weekend Getaway Guide to Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Christmas at the Newport Mansions is a spectacular celebration of the holiday season that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island, at the impressive, Gilded Age mansions of the area. From November 20 through January 9, these ornately constructed mansions are adorned with lights, trees, and festive decorations galore, creating an over-the-top experience of great holiday wonder.

Read on to learn more about the must-see mansions, where to stay in Newport, Rhode Island during your getaway, and how to make the most of your stay in this vibrant, coastal city.

                                                 More Rhode Island Getaways

Must-see Mansions

The three must-see mansions include The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House as they transform into grand celebrations of Christmases past, with rooms filled with themed decor, carefully matched to the period furnishings.

The Breakers

Built by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt — who made his fortune in shipping and railroads — this mansion was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, consists of 70 rooms, and boasts an apparent affinity to Italian Renaissance architecture.

During The Breakers tour, one of the most popular stops is in the kitchen, where the Preservation Society displays gingerbread replicas of the mansions made by local pastry chefs. Another notable and possibly favorite display of The Breakers is the massive 15-foot tree constructed of 150 live poinsettias. This incredible arrangement requires the plants to be watered weekly and replaced three times during the six-week holiday season. A bit high maintenance, though, we’d argue, completely worth it for the perfect holiday photo opportunity!

The Elms, built by coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind in 1901, is crafted in the fashion of a mid-18th century French chateau, with stunning classical sculpture gardens and ornate interiors. Originally constructed as a summer home for Edward and his wife Herminie, the home was never used at Christmas time until The Preservation Society of Newport County came to own it and open it to the public in 1962.

The horticulturist for the Preservation Society, Jim Donahue, dresses the mansion up like a giant jewel box, decorating the rooms with fresh flowers, (artificial) trees, garlands, even real gingerbread houses.

Marble House

Built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, this home was constructed as a “summer cottage” for the family. The Marble House is modeled after the Petit Trianon — Marie Antoinette’s private pleasure palace on the grounds of Versailles — and holds 50 rooms and has been built from over 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

A favorite recurring event that takes place at the Marble House mansion during this six-week long holiday celebration is the Holiday Brunch at The Chinese Tea House. From 10 am - 3 pm on weekends November 27 - December 19, AND Christmas week, December 27-31, visitors can enjoy a three-course holiday brunch curated by Stoneacre Brasserie while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcomed. 

Learn more about Christmas at the Newport Mansions and accompanying special events here .

Where to Stay in Newport

New England Inns and Resorts offers  14 high-quality, luxury accommodations  within 15 miles of Newport. From the lively The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection to the new and luxurious Brenton Hotel to the waterfront Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina there’s an accommodation option to suit everyone’s preference. 

If you’re hunting for a deal this holiday season, be sure to check out these Newport hotels and their weekend getaway packages:

• Hotel Viking, Celebrate the Good Times Package – Package includes: Overnight accommodations, complimentary bottle of Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine from New Mexico upon arrival, two bottles of Aqua Panna Still Water, and $25 Credit to Hill Market.

Offer valid Oct 8, 2020 - Dec 31, 2022

• The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Stay More-Save More-15% Off Package – Package includes: 15% off our Best Available Rate when you book any 3-night or 4-night stay

Offer valid Mar 16, 2021 - Dec 29, 2021

About New England Inns and Resorts

The New England Inns & Resorts Association has proudly represented over 300 New England resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motor inns since 1907. From the grandest luxury resort to the coziest country inn, what ties us together is our commitment to gracious hospitality! 

Let us help you plan your holiday getaway this season and remember to look to us any time of year to help you find the perfect accommodations for your New England trips.

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15 Fun & Festive Things to Do: Christmas in Newport RI 🎄 2023

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If you’re looking for festive things to do for Christmas in Newport RI, you’ve come to the right place!

During the holiday season, Newport really goes heavy on the charm with Christmas boat parades, cozy inns to stay in, festive, colored lights, outdoor ice skating, and so much more!

Newport at Christmas is the place to go if you’re looking for Christmas fun in Rhode Island that has elegance, charm, history, and oh so many gorgeously decorated places to go and fun, festive Christmas in Newport activities to do!

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Christmas in Newport RI: Things to Do for Festive Fun

See newport nutcracker at rosecliff.

One of Newport’s beloved Gilded Age mansions, Rosecliff, is host to a traditional Nutcracker performance with a unique spin: The first act has the audience following the performers from room to beautifully decorated room, and the second act sees the audience seated in the ballroom.

The Nutcracker at Rosecliff is an immersive journey through both Newport’s Gilded Age history and the beloved Christmas tale of the Nutcracker, and an absolute must-see if you time your Newport getaway right!

The Nutcracker at Rosecliff 2023 Schedule

Wednesday, November 22

Friday, November 24 – Sunday, November 26

Tuesday, November 28 – Friday, December 1

Matinee and Evening Performances each day

Tour Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Oh, the Newport Mansions! Absolutely beautiful and very worth touring all year-round , but their Christmas at the Newport Mansions takes the cake when it comes to magnificence in decoration and festivities. Tour the decadent decorations both indoors and out, as they hearken back to the glamour, luxury, and prestige of a Gilded Age Christmas.

Visiting these opulent mansions invite visitors to experience a taste of what Christmas past at the Newport Mansions might’ve been like. As you approach the grand staircases in these opulent historical gems, you will feel like you are a bit of early American “royalty,” too!

2023 Christmas at the Newport Mansions

November 18, 2023 – January 1, 2024

All houses closed Thanksgiving Day, November 23, and Christmas Day, December 25, and close at 2pm on December 24.

Rosecliff is open daily December 2 – January 1 but is not decorated for the holidays.

PS if you’re looking for a local restaurant recommendation that’s a quick drive from the Newport Mansions, I love Mamma Luisa ! The ambiance is warm and intimate, and it is absolutely delicious. It’s a fantastic option for a holiday dinner with the one you love.

Go on a Newport Christmas Cruise

With two different Newport Christmas Cruise options, Coastal Queen Cruises offers a Holiday Cocktail Cruise for the adults to enjoy, with holiday music and a tour of some of Newport’s finest seaside sights with a glass of champagne, of course. This would make a cute Christmas in Newport date night activity!

There’s also a Meet & Greet with Santa Cruise for the kiddos, with hot cocoa, candy canes, and of course, Santa. Book your tickets quickly , these sell out fast.

2023 Newport Christmas Cruise Dates

Holiday Cocktail Cruise – December 10, 16

Meet & Greet Cruise with Santa – December 17

Holiday Bubbly Cruise – December 17

Cozy Up at Castle Hill Inn

Newport is full of fantastic hotels , but if the Christmas spirit for you includes comfort, pampering, and exemplary service, Castle Hill Inn is the luxury hotel in Newport for you! With fine dining onsite, spa services, and seriously stellar coastal views, Castle Hill Inn is the perfect spot to cozy up for your Christmas getaway to Newport.

Their gourmet holiday feasts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are hard to beat, too! Grab your loved one and cozy up next to the roaring fire with a couple of hot toddies as the snow comes down outside… doesn’t that sound like the most romantic Christmas in Newport RI?

Click Here to Check Prices & Book!

Watch Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade

One of the most beloved holiday traditions of Newport is the Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade . This coastal city is very proud of its rich nautical history, and the Christmas homage of the boats as they cross the harbor, decorated to the nines with twinkling lights, is a lovely show of respect to its nautical traditions.

Festive Christmas music provides the perfect soundtrack as this dressed-up boat parade illuminates the harbor to the delight of all on the shore!

Newport, Rhode Island Illuminated Boat Parade 2023

November 24th (November 25th Weather Date)

Book a Spot at the Igloo Village

The Reef’s Igloo Village is one of the top places to eat during Christmastime in Newport RI, both because its offerings are delicious and also because these heated igloos are absolutely gorgeous all styled for the season!

Heated, of course, they are the perfect place to meet up with friends, family, or even just that one special someone for a lovely night out in Newport at Christmas.

Partake in Christmas in Newport Festivities

The entire month of December is full of Christmas in Newport festivities ! In addition to the bigger events like the Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade and the Christmas at Newport Mansions tours, you will also find a myriad of different activities occurring over the course of December, including Christmas concerts, decorating contests, craft fairs,  candlelit historic home tours, and more.

The city of Newport began Christmas in Newport as a two-week event 50+ years ago, and it has grown over the years into the month-long holiday celebration that it is today. If you have kids, don’t miss the Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina on December 10.

Oh, and the very elegant, luxurious Chanler at Cliff Walk hosts a Hot Chocolate Bar that is open to the public on weekends November 25 – December 24 from 1pm – 4pm. They offer artisanal hot chocolate… sounds delish!

Take a Holiday Lantern Tour with Newport History Museum

Every year during the holiday season, Newport History Museum leads holiday lantern walking tours that leave from the museum in the early evening and lead around the historic community, describing how and where Newport Christmas has been celebrated over the years. Whether you’re a hardcore history buff or not, this holiday lantern walking tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the holidays in Newport.

2023 Holiday Lantern Tour 

Fridays & Saturdays, November 17 – December 30

Glide on the Ice at Newport Harbor Island Resort

Formerly known as Gurney’s, the Newport Harbor Island Resort offers one of the more unique Christmas in Newport activities of outdoor ice skating on Narragansett Bay !

Located on gorgeous Goat Island, there’s something so fantastically festive about seaside ice skating in Rhode Island. This would be a great Christmas activity in Newport for families or a great holiday date idea for couples visiting Newport RI at Christmas, especially if you decide to book a room at this lovely resort.

(Heads up, there is an awful lot of construction happening in the resort as of November 2023!)

Attend the Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting Ceremony

This annual event at historic Bowen’s Wharf is a lovely kick-off to Newport’s Christmas festivities! There are live musicians, unique, one-of-a-kind holiday shopping opportunities, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, and in fitting tradition for a coastal community, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to join in by boat!

The main event is the lighting of the spectacular Bowen’s Wharf tree, a Newport Christmas event that has to be seen in person to be truly appreciated!

Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting 2023

Saturday, December 2

Have a Cozy Dinner at The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt

It’s likely no surprise that Newport has an incredible selection of wonderful places to eat, but if you’re looking for cozy fireside dining during the holiday season, there’s no better option than The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt .

They call it “elevated pub food,” but the best description would be absolutely delicious! You’ve got plenty of options for where to go to grab a bite in Newport, but if you’re looking for cozy and intimate dining during your Christmas Newport trip, this is it.

For a three-course, family style Christmas Eve supper specially curated by the expert culinary team at the Vanderbilt, book dinner December 22 – 25!

Finish Up your Christmas Shopping in Newport

There are plenty of great places to go Christmas shopping in Newport RI, but if you’re looking for some fun, holiday gifts in a very Christmassy store, look no further than A Christmas to Remember on Thames St.

Of course there are great Christmas decor items, but also tons of locally made Newport style gifts like pillows, pictures, candles, and so much more. Not only can you pick up some great holiday gifts for others, but you can also find the perfect souvenir of your Christmas in Newport!

Head Up the Road to Bristol’s Grand Illumination

Nearby Bristol is a charming little community that has plenty of sweet small-town things to do , and their Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Bristol’s Grand Illumination , is a fantastic event that features local music, family fun, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and of course, the lighting of the gorgeous evergreen!

Bristol is just a quick drive from Newport and well worth adding to your Newport Christmas itinerary!

Give Yourself the Gift of a Spacation

Newport has plenty of options for luxury hotels, but my husband and I are Team Hotel Viking ! Our stay at this historic hotel was so lovely, and the onsite Spa Fjor was the perfect antidote for those winter winds in New England.

You’ve got onsite dining, room service, and full service spa treatments. We opted for a couples massage that incorporated Balinese ritual. To say we were blissed out is an understatement! This would be the perfect Christmas gift for you and your favorite person.

Enjoy Sparkling Lights at the Breakers

Sparkling Lights at the Breakers is an illuminated, immersive holiday light experience that consists of hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights, Christmas decorations, and holiday figures along about a half-mile trail.

Along the way you’ll find several fire pits to warm yourself by and a great selection of holiday treats for both adults and kiddos, including hot cocoa, apple cider with bourbon, s’mores kits, and more. This is one of those Newport Christmas things to do that would be a blast with the entire family or as a fun holiday date night activity.

Newport Sparkling Lights at the Breakers 2023

November 17 – December 30, Admission at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Gates close at 6:30 pm, and the house & grounds will close at 8 pm.

Newport RI 2023 Christmas Events

Here are a few more Christmas events in Newport, Rhode Island to look forward to!

Holiday Extravaganza – Ugly holiday sweater contest, writing letters to Santa, hot cocoa bar, holiday cookies, and live music at the Newport Vineyards, December 1

Christmas by the Sea – Local holiday shopping at the Newport Harbor Marina & Resort, December 2

Christmas at Whitehall – Celebrate a Colonial Christmas with Wassail, refreshment, and music, December 3

Where to Stay in Newport RI for Christmas

Hotel Viking : I know I already said it, but Hotel Viking is a lovely property. I’m a big fan of comfy, cozy vibes, and you definitely get that and more when staying at this beautiful, historic hotel! They also host fun seasonal events, like their Christmas Cookie Decorating Class (December 2), Nutcracker Tea (December 3), and their Breakfast with Santa (December 17).

Newport Harbor Island Resort : With outdoor ice skating and the always charming Goat Island Lighthouse all dressed up for Christmas, this is definitely a great choice for Christmas lodgings in Newport.

Christmas in Newport RI Wrap-Up

A Christmas in Newport RI is full of so many fun and festive things to do; wherever you go and whatever you do, enjoy your holiday!

Read these next:

• 6 Trip Ideas for a Lovely Winter in Rhode Island
• 25+ New England Gifts: Locally-Sourced & Regionally-Inspired
• 10 Merriest Memory Making Christmas Celebrations in New England
• 9 of the Coziest and Best Winter Getaways in New England

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The Magic of Christmas comes alive in Newport, RI. See both the Breakers and Marble House Mansions!

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Thursdays December 5th or 12th, 2024 and Saturdays Nov 30th or December 7th, 2024. Additional Group Dates Available Upon Request.

Newport, RI

ONLY $139 pp. – Includes Motorcoach Transportation (from Most Boston/Worcester Pick-up Locations), Admission to both Mansions, Touring as described & Best of Times Travel Tour Director, Tour Director Gratuity.

There is something magical in the air at Christmas time in Newport.

Our Day INCLUDES: Come and see two of Newport’s most elegant mansions decorated and on display during this wonderful time of the year. Our Best of Times Tour Director will provide commentary and background on the history of Newport and point out interesting sights and historical landmarks during the driving portion of our Newport tour. Visits to The Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages”, and showcased will be The Marble House decked out in yuletide finery, with thousands of poinsettia plants, evergreens, wreaths, and fresh flowers highlight our day. Lunch today will be on our own at the famous Bowen’s Wharf area of Newport.  

Touring Locations Include: The Breakers Mansion, Marble House Mansion, and downtown Newport, RI.

Lunch today will be on our own at the famous Bowen’s Wharf area of Newport.

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April 29, 2024

• Year overview

Open Properties

Operating schedule is subject to change

The Breakers

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial pre-eminence in the Gilded Age.

Marble House

William Vanderbilt built Marble House as a 39th birthday present for his wife, Alva. It was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent Gilded Age mansions.

The Elms was modeled after an 18th-century French chateau but featured the latest technology of the Gilded Age. It houses an outstanding collection of paintings, statuary and tapestries, and its landscape features formal gardens, terraces, pavilions and fountains.

Rosecliff was built for Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs, who used it to host many fabulous Gilded Age entertainments. Architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles.

Chateau-sur-Mer

Chateau-sur-Mer epitomizes High Victorian architecture, furniture, wallpapers, ceramics and stenciling. It was the most palatial residence in Newport until the appearance of the Gilded Age Vanderbilt houses in the 1890s.

Kingscote is a landmark of the Gothic Revival style in American architecture. Its appearance in Newport marked the beginning of the “cottage boom” that would distinguish the town as a veritable laboratory for the design of picturesque houses throughout the 19th century.

Isaac Bell House

Isaac Bell House is one of the best surviving examples of shingle-style architecture in the country. Its architects and designers drew from a mix of international and American influences to create a unique Gilded Age style.

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Home to more than 80 topiary animals and other figures for more than a century, Green Animals also blazes with colorful flowers from May until October. The 7-acre property overlooks Narragansett Bay.

Hunter House

Hunter House (c. 1748) is one of the finest examples of Colonial architecture in Newport. The house was owned by wealthy merchants who furnished it with decorative arts produced by expert craftsmen. Such a luxurious lifestyle depended on the labor of enslaved people of African descent. Recent research by the Preservation Society has identified at least 13 enslaved individuals who lived and worked at Hunter House. Today's Hunter House honors their perseverance and incalculable contributions to Newport’s past. Guide-led tours only, advance reservations required

Chepstow is highly evocative of the taste and collections of a descendant of one of America's founding families, placed in the context of a contemporary Newport summer home. Guide-led tours only, advance reservations required

The Breakers Stable & Carriage House

Tours, events and exhibitions, beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Servant Life Tour

Daily starting april 1, 10:30 am and 2:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. * May 11-May 31, tour will be offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:30 pm. June 1-Aug. 31, 10:30 am, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Gilded Age Newport in Color

March 15 – june 30, 2024 10:00am – 3:00pm.

This exhibition explores a largely unknown but important chapter in American history: the experience of a thriving African heritage community in Newport.

Open Properties and Events

Updated April 2, 2024. Schedule is subject to change.

April 1 – May 10, 2024

Please note: Advance reservations are required for all guide-led tours

Open daily 10 am – 4 pm for self-guided tours

House & grounds close one hour after last tour admission

Beneath The Breakers Tour – Guide-led tours daily at 10:30 am

The Elms Servant Life Tour – Guide-led tours daily at 10:30 am & 2:30 pm

Open daily 10 am – 3 pm for self-guided tours

May 11 – may 31, 2024, open daily 10 am – 5 pm for self-guided tours.

The Elms Servant Life Tour – Guide-led tours daily at 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Grounds close one hour after last tour admission

June 1 – August 31, 2024

The Breakers Children’s Cottage will be open to tour daily July 1 – August 17, 10 am – 4 pm

The Elms Servant Life Tour – Guide-led tours daily at 10:30 am, 2 pm & 3:30 pm

Rosecliff (through June 30)

Open daily 10 am – 3 pm for self-guided tours*.

*Rosecliff will be closed to tours June 19 – June 24; open to Newport Flower Show ticket holders only

Rosecliff (July and August)

Free admission at rosecliff, first floor only.

July 1 – July 9:  Rosecliff closed for exhibition deinstallation.

July 10 – 26* Rosecliff open daily 10 am – 3 pm for first-floor viewing only. Free admission. *Rosecliff will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 19

July 27 – August 18 Rosecliff open Saturdays & Sundays 10 am – 3 pm for first-floor viewing only. Free admission.

August 19 – 29: Rosecliff closed for exhibition installation.

Starting August 30 Open daily 10 am – 3 pm with new exhibition, “Wild Imagination.”

Open Sundays through Thursdays, 10 am – 5 pm for self-guided tours

Open fridays & saturdays, 10 am – 5 pm for guide-led tours, open fridays & saturdays, july 1-31, 10 am – 4 pm.

Closes one hour after last tour admission

September 1 – September 30, 2024

*Rosecliff will be closed to tours September 19 – 23; open to Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival ticket holders only

Open weekends & holidays 10 am – 5 pm for self-guided tours

October 1 – october 14, 2024, october 15 – october 31, 2024, november 1 – november 22, 2024, open daily 10 am – 4 pm for self-guided tours*.

*The Breakers will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 22

*Rosecliff will be closed November 22 – December 8 for “The Newport Nutcracker”

November 23, 2024 – January 1, 2025

Holidays at the newport mansions.

All houses closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

All houses close at 2 p.m. on December 24

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Do you want to visit multiple houses?

With the Duo and Trio tickets, you can tour multiple mansions and gardens at a discounted price. These tickets can be used on different days and they do not expire.

Plan your visit

See tour options, frequently asked questions, information on our policies and everything else you need to know.

• Visitor Info
• Where to Eat
• Group Reservations

Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

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