There’s a unique magic in South County in December: the shoreline awaits you and local communities wrap the season in traditional New England charm, traditions, and celebrations. From the quirky delight of giant nutcrackers to candlelit seaside dinners, and from historic mansions lit in full holiday regalia to the family warmth of garden centers turned winter wonderlands—South County blends laid-back elegance with festive energy.
Embrace the holiday season with style, warmth and a touch of magic, with a December visit to South County, Rhode Island. Between charming small-town moments, coastal calm, festive décor and stand-out day-trips, South County invites you to step into the holiday season with these local favorites.
Nutcracker TrailThe Nutcrackers arrive in Westerly on November 28th and this public-art installation of 100 life-sized nutcracker sculptures can be seen in downtown Westerly and neighboring villages throughout December. Each Nutcracker is an original work of art, hand painted by a variety of talented local artists to celebrate the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Anniversary.
The Chorus of Westerly is a national treasure. This multi-generational chorus has toured and performed in some of the most famous European venues and entertains Rhode Islanders throughout the year. The Christmas Pops concert is a favorite annual holiday event in South County featuring seasonal songs and sing-along moments that will get you in the holiday spirit. Arts and music thrive in South County, and the Chorus of Westerly has been a leader for 66 years.
Candlelight Dinner at the Coast Guard House
For an unforgettable dinner by the sea, head to the Coast Guard House in Narragansett. With sweeping ocean views and a menu highlighting local seafood it’s the perfect spot for a romantic candlelit winter evening. Consider booking an igloo for a romantic or celebratory meal.
A Christmas Carol at Granite Theatre
Nothing says holiday tradition quite like a live performance of A Christmas Carol – The Musical. An annual tradition at the Granite Theatre in Westerly with performances running through December 21st this heart-warming theatrical experience brings the holidays to life in South County.
South County is Known for It's Cuisine. Search by Town for a place to complement whatever activity you partake in.
Get Outdoors and Be Merry
Kinney Azalea Gardens: “Winter Celebration”
This magical stroll through the trails rewards you with the beauty of the winter landscape decorated for the holidays. Explore a stunning display of trees, each uniquely decorated to reflect the bounty of nature. From charming birds and whimsical fairies to rustic pinecones, vibrant mushrooms, and intricate dried plant materials, the nature-themed decorations will inspire and delight visitors of all ages. Caroling, festive activities for children, and warm cocoa complement your visit. Winter Celebrations at Kinney Azalea Gardens, South County’s most famous gardens, promise a day filled with joy and appreciation of the natural world.
Clark Farms is more than just a garden center—it’s a year-round destination where each season has its own personality and fun. This year winter arrives with holiday greenery, festive décor, you-cut Christmas trees, and the massive greenhouse transformed into a holiday marketplace for a warm, twinkling holiday treat. Plus live music, hot cocoa, a bonfire, Santa visits, and more.
Charlestown’s night skies are some of the darkest and most awe-inspiring in Southern New England. With minimal light pollution and long stretches of protected coastline, salt ponds, and woodlands, the stars spill down to the edges of the water. On clear nights, the Milky Way, and constellations you rarely see in suburban skies appear with stunning clarity. Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge and Frosty Drew Observatory are local stargazing havens—where telescopes are set up for public viewing and astronomy nights. Charlestown night skies remind you to look up, slow down, and remember how vast and beautiful the world is.
Wickford Village shines its brightest during the annual Festival of Lights, a holiday tradition that turns this historic harbor village into a storybook New England small town scene. Twinkling lights wrap around colonial-era storefronts, evergreen garlands decorate lamp posts, and the smell of hot cocoa fills the December air. The festival features carolers strolling the streets, horse-drawn hayrides, tree lightings, and visits from Santa arriving by boat—a classic coastal touch that only Wickford can pull off. Shops stay open late, welcoming guests with warm drinks, holiday treats, and the chance to find unique, locally made gifts. Charming, cozy, and filled with small-town magic, Wickford’s Festival of Lights is Christmas in its most heartwarming form—simple and by the sea.
The Rhode Island Troll Trail started in 2024 with two trolls being commissioned by the South County Tourism Council. Greta Granit and Erik Rock became permanent residents of Ninigret Park in Charlestown in June of ’24. In 2025 three additional trolls were built, two in South County, Iver Mudslider and Young Boulder, and one in East Providence, Mrs. Skipper completing the Rhode Island Troll Trail. Spend a day exploring these works of art.
Thomas Dambo is the world's leading recycling artist, with his stated mission to “Waste No More”. Since 2014 he has produced artwork with discarded materials in more than 20 countries on 5 continents, including the USA, China, Brazil, Australia, GB, Germany, France, South Korea, Chile, and Puerto Rico.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rink in Downtown Westerly
Good old fashioned-fun in downtown Westerly for young and old.
Nothing is Far Away Within the State of Rhode Island
Newport Mansions at Christmas: Just a short drive up the coast, and minutes from the Fairfield Inn, the Gilded Age mansions—like The Breakers—are fully decked out with holiday décor and lights. It’s a lavish and unforgettable experience full of the grandeur of years gone by.
Stay your way this December—Fairfield Inn for effortless comfort, The Hotel Maria for coastal elegance, and The Break for boutique vibes by the beach.
The Hotel Maria: Boutique luxury in Misquamicut/Westerly, stylish rooms, and a calm seaside setting, even in winter. Perfect if you want a refined stay.
Fairfield Inn & Suites South Kingstown Newport Area: Modern, comfortable, and ideally located for exploring South County and beyond.
The Break A boutique hotel in Narragansett conveniently located to attractions, dining, shopping and the beach. The heated, outdoor salt water pool is a year round favorite of guests.
Last But Not Least: South County Beaches
A picture's worth a thousand words...Come see for yourself why South County puts the ocean in the Ocean State.
