Holiday Festivities 2019
Mark Binder Book Release
A performer with more than twenty years of programs in schools, libraries, theaters and festival for nearly 200,000 listeners of all ages, Mark Binder gives more than 100 presentations across the United States and around the world each year. Recently, he was featured in the Amazon/Audible series, “Story Live” and his audio book Loki Ragnarok was nominated for a 2019 Audie Award for Original Work. Binder is the author of more than 20 books and audio books for children, families and adults. His latest, The Misadventures of Rabbi Kibbitz and Mrs. Chaipul, has garnered rave reviews and is available now.
For more information on Binder’s new book, check out his website.
A Christmas Carol at Trinity Repertory Company
Celebrating 42 years at Trinity Rep, Rhode Island’s family holiday tradition brings Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to the stage in a glorious re-telling of the classic story that has delighted and inspired millions.
For more information, see Trinity’s website.
Providence Art Club Little Pictures Show
First held in 1904, the Little Pictures Show & Sale is the oldest and largest exhibition of its kind in the United States. This year, the beloved tradition turns 115 and continues to be a strong source of pride for the historic Providence Art Club. The show will feature over 600 works of art sized at 16” x 16” or less and priced at no more than $300.
For more information, see the Providence Art Club website.
A Drag Queen Christmas Hosted by Nina West
It’s a magical (and hilarious) evening of holiday performances featuring contestants from the reality television show Rupal’s Drag Race on VH1. Here come the queens in their biggest holiday costumes with back-up dancers and a full stage production. All ages welcome but there is adult content (because they’re drag queens). Doors at 7:00 pm, show at 8:00 pm. There will be a 20-minute intermission. Presented by Murray & Peter.
For more information see the Vets website.
Celebrate Downcity 2019
Celebrate downcity on November 30 with the return of this holiday favorite that transforms downtown into a colorful and festive wonderland! Get a head start on your holiday shopping with unique gifts from local shops wile sipping on a beverage or two. Santa will be camera ready for you and the family after getting creative with activities from the Providence Children’s Museum.
For more information see the event’s Facebook page.
2019 Winter Lights Market
Join Mayor Jorge Elorza and the City of Providence for the Annual Winter Lights Market. Festivities kick-off on Friday, December 6 with the lighting of the City Hall Christmas Tree, Winter Lights Market opening along Kennedy Plaza and plenty of performances and food. Saturday, December 7 the Winter Market opens early with food, performances and family fun before the Providence Rink hosts a holiday figure skating show and lights their tree.
For more information see the event’s Facebook page.
Cardboard Pancakes at New Urban Arts
Save the date for the 10th annual Cardboard Pancakes Holiday Art Sale at New Urban Arts! This even features a plethora of incredible gifts at a wide variety of price points–all made by New Urban Arts students and local Providence makers. The sale benefits New Urban Arts award-winning, free afterschool and summer arts programs for Providence public high school students.
For more information see the New Urban Arts website.
Handel’s Messiah
The complete performance of Handel’s Messiah is a RI tradition! Since its inception in 1957, the RI Civic Chorale & Orchestra has been a significant presence in the RI arts community. This concert is dedicated to the memory of Nick Cardi of Cardi’s Furniture & Mattress.
For more information visit RICCO’s website.
Hope Street Winter Stroll
Take a stroll up the East Side during The Hope Street Winter Holiday Stroll on Sunday, December 8 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hope Street will be closed for traffic from Rochambeau to 5th Street and there will be music, entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and more.
For more information visit The Stroll’s Facebook event.
Festival Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Enjoy the splendor of the holiday season at its richest in Festival Ballet’s lavish production of The Nutcracker! Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey brought to life with stunning sets, thrilling choreography and world class dancing. BroadwayWorld.com raves: “The Nutcracker is the crowning jewel of Rhode Island’s Christmas fine arts season.” Don’t miss the holiday tradition that has been a Providence classic for more than forty years: The magic, the elegance, The Nutcracker.
For more information visit PPAC’s website.
Billy Gilman: Home For The Holidays
Grammy nominee from NBC’s The Voice, Billy Gilman will bring his favorite holiday classics, as well as non-holiday favorites that have made the singer a worldwide name, to The Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence this season! Gilman debuted onto the music scene in 2000 at the age of 11. With the release of his first album “One Voice”, he became the youngest person to ever have a top-5 debut album and a number one single on the Country Music Singles Chart. Since then he has gone on to sell a whopping 10 million albums worldwide.
For more information, visit The VETS website.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”
For more information visit PPAC’s website.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
A unique and joyful holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, the production is performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of Hip Hop’s founding fathers. Through this remixed and re-imagined version of the classic, the dynamic performers take audiences on a journey that celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.
For more information visit The VETS website.