The holidays are a special time of year in South County, and the celebrations taking place all December long make the area a great place to visit in the winter. If you’re booking a vacation rental and spending part of the holidays in this region, you’ll never be short on things to do.
One of the great things about a wintertime vacation in South County is that there’s an event in every town, so you’ll never have to travel far to find an activity. There’s also something for everyone, whether you want to relax and catch a show or do something a little more active.
Here’s a look at some activities and events you can check out around the 2021 holidays in South County, RI.
Holiday Films
Christmas isn’t complete without watching a classic holiday film or two, and a couple of venues in South County make it easy to catch these flicks on the big screen.
First, there’s the Greenwich Odeum on East Greenwich’s Main Street, a venue hosting numerous Christmas events this year, including a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life on December 10 at 8:00 PM. If this movie is one of your go-tos around the holidays, checking it out at the Greenwich Odeum is worth your time.
The Weekapaug Inn in Westerly also shows some films throughout the holiday season as part of its Cinema Under the Stars series. As the name suggests, you’ll watch the movies outside, but the venue provides you with comfortable chairs and hot chocolate to keep you warm. Your ticket price includes popcorn, candy, and a full entree from the on-site restaurant, and there’s a full bar available, too. Entry is $85 each, which isn’t bad value for dinner and a movie.
Cinema Under the Stars films will be shown every weekend leading up to Christmas, including Christmas Eve, and selections include The Santa Clause, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Elf.
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory’s Holiday Stroll
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown is a whimsical local retailer with a little bit of everything for sale throughout the year. Visiting for their annual Christmas Stroll means you can experience outdoor holiday scenes with Christmas lights, fire pits, and an overall festive atmosphere at this one-of-a-kind local treasure.
This event is worth checking out if you’re looking to bring some unique Christmas gifts or souvenirs home because you’re sure to find items that aren’t available anywhere at one of its shops.
Field of Artisans
Field of Artisans is a Rhode Island-based network of vendors that hold pop-up events to sell their crafts, jewelry, and other creations. In 2021, they’ll have a special craft fair every Sunday leading up to Christmas at Whalers Brewing Company in South Kingstown, allowing visitors to grab some gifts and sample local beers in the process.
They’re holding another event at Narragansett Beer on December 17, too, giving you plenty of opportunities to check out one of these carefully-curated events during your South County vacation.
Small Works: Holiday Art Show
The Wickford Art Association will be holding art shows and sales at its 36 Beach Street location Wednesday through Sunday every week of December.
This event provides the perfect opportunity to purchase an original piece of art from a local producer, and new items are showing up every week, as well.
Westerly Light Parade
If you’re in the Westerly area on Sunday, December 12, heading downtown for the annual Westerly Light Parade should be a priority. This event gets started at 6:00 PM and runs until about 6:45, traveling through the Westerly Historic District.
The parade itself features floats and music, and many locals make a night of it by heading to a nearby restaurant for dinner and drinks before or after the festivities.
Remember that parking can be challenging to come by during the parade, but if you have a vacation rental near downtown Westerly, you’re only a short walk from the action.
Christmas Pops
The Chorus of Westerly performs its Christmas Pops concert at the George Kent Performance Hall every year. In 2021, Conductor Andrew Howell will take the Chorus, the Pops Festival Orchestra, and some special guests through holiday favorites that everyone in attendance will recognize.
The shows in 2021 will run on December 18 at 7:00 PM and December 19 at 3:00 PM, and you’ll need to purchase tickets ahead of time to attend. These tickets tend to sell out early, so you’ll want to buy them as soon as possible.
Spending the Holidays in South County
Booking a vacation rental in South County over the holidays is a wonderful idea because you’ll get to experience Christmas in an entirely different way. Every community in this area has holiday traditions that are sure to make your winter getaway something you’ll remember for a long time.
The region’s numerous craft fairs also make South County an ideal spot to pick up some gifts, ensuring your friends and family feel loved this Christmas season.